Ryan Photographic - Mantellidae - Mantella frogs

Mantellidae

The family Mantellidae is restricted to the Islands of Madagascar and some of the Comoro Islands. Currently AmphibiaWeb recognizes 205 species in 12 genera.

Many of the Boophis species resemble tree frogs while the brightly colored Mantella species share some charcteristics with the poison dart frogs (Dendrobatidae). Similarities include diurnal activity, small size and the production of alkaloid skin toxins. Species of Mantella were exported for the pet trade for many years, particularly Mantella aurantiaca, but the European Union banned the import of this species in 2006.

The family exhibits a great variety of reproductive strategies ranging from aquatic tadpoles to direct development eggs (no tadpole stage). Members of the subfamily Mantellinae have an unusual form of amplexus (a biological term for the embrace frogs undertake to bring about fertilization of the eggs). The males basically sit on the head of the female and let their sperm run down the female's back to drip onto the simultaneously extruded eggs. Well - it is Madagascar ...

Boophis albilabris

Boophis albilabris captive, Denver Zoo.

Boophis cf. goudoti Madagascan forest frog.

Mantella aurantiaca Golden mantella

Mantella aurantiaca Golden mantella, captive, Fort Worth Zoo.

Mantella aurantiaca Golden mantella, captive.

Mantella expectata Blue-legged mantella

Mantella expectata Blue-legged mantella, captive, Fort Worth Zoo.

Mantella madagascarensis Malagasy painted mantella

Mantella madagascarensis Malagasy painted mantella. Captive, Denver Zoo.

Mantella viridis Green mantella

FROG 8437 Mantella viridis, green mantella, captive, Fort Worth Zoo.

Frogs

 Photo Library