M 20-21 mm, F 21-26 mm. Different from other species of the group and possibly unrelated to these. The only representative of the group in northern Madagascar. Very slender appearance. Dorsal skin slightly granular. Males with a laterally blackish subgular vocal sac which also has whitish colour in its anterior part, and with very distinct rounded femoral glands.
Similar species: The most similar species is M. webbi which has white vocal sacs and is larger. M. lugubris, and young M. microtympanum are also somewhat similar. Confusion may also be possible with species of the subgenus Laurentomantis (which have a more granular skin).
Distribution and Habitat
Country distribution from AmphibiaWeb's database: Madagascar
Marojejy. Related populations from Masoala are of uncertain status. It occurs between 600-900m asl in the leaf-litter of pristine rainforest, but is not found in disturbed areas (Raxworthy and Glaw 2008).
Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
Habits: Several specimens were found along stony brooks in rain forest of the Marojezy mountains during day and night. The habitat was similar to that of M. webbi.
Call, eggs and tadpoles: Unknown.
Breeding takes place directly (Raxworthy and Glaw 2008)
Trends and Threats
Vulnerable: extent of occurrence is less than 20,000 km2. Its distribution is severely fragmented, and there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its forest habitat in northeastern Madegascar. It occurs in the Parc National de Marojejy and Réserve Spéciale d’Anjanaharibe-Sud (Raxworthy et. al 2008).
Possible reasons for amphibian decline
General habitat alteration and loss
Habitat modification from deforestation, or logging related activities
Intensified agriculture or grazing
Taken with permission from Glaw and Vences (2007).
Glaw, F., and Vences, M. (2007). Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar. Third Edition. Vences and Glaw Verlag, Köln.
Raxworthy, C. and Glaw, F. (2008). Gephyromantis klemmeri. In: IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 14 April 2009.
Originally submitted by: Miguel Vences and Frank Glaw (first posted 2000-11-27)
Edited by: Henry Zhu (2009-05-06)
Species Account Citation: AmphibiaWeb 2009 Gephyromantis klemmeri: Klemmer's Madagascar Frog <https://amphibiaweb.org/species/4606> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed May 30, 2023.
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Citation: AmphibiaWeb. 2023. <https://amphibiaweb.org> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed 30 May 2023.
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