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Background Large-scale variation in ecological parameters across Madagascar is hypothesized to drive varying spatial patterns of malaria infection. However, to date, few studies of parasite prevalence with resolution at finer, sub-regional spatial scales are available. As a result, there is a poor understanding of how Madagascar’s diverse local ecologies link with variation in the distribution of infections at the community and household level. Efforts to preserve Madagascar’s ecological diversity often focus on improving livelihoods in rural communities near remaining forested areas but are limited by a lack of data on their infectious disease burden. Methods To investigate spatial variation in malaria prevalence at the sub-regional scale in Madagascar, we sampled 1476 households (7117 total individuals, all ages) from 31 rural communities divided among five ecologically distinct regions. The sampled regions range from tropical rainforest to semi-arid, spiny forest and include communities near protected areas including the Masoala, Makira, and Mikea forests. Malaria prevalence was estimated by rapid diagnostic test (RDT) cross-sectional surveys performed during malaria transmission seasons over 2013–2017. Results Indicative of localized hotspots, malaria prevalence varied more than 10-fold between nearby ( Conclusions Our data suggest that the malaria infection burden experienced by rural communities in Madagascar varies greatly at smaller spatial scales (i.e., at the community and household level) and that the southeast and west coast ecological regions warrant further attention from disease control efforts. Conservation and development efforts in these regions may benefit from consideration of the high, and variable, malaria prevalences among communities in these areas.

Begonia duruisseaui Scherber. and B. rahajasoae Scherber., both endemic to the Masoala Peninsula in northeast Madagascar, are described and illustrated. They both belong to Begonia L. sect. Erminea A. DC. The former is related to B. tsimihety Humbert from which it differs by its fewer, larger leaves, with finely denticulate margins and a villous inflorescence. The latter is morphologically related to B. bogneri Ziesenh. and the recently described B. ambodiforahensis Scherber. & Duruiss., although it differs from both by the combination of very narrow leaves with clearly demarcated petioles and blades, which are villous and pilose, respectively. Click here to read this article at BioOne.

Madagascar does not have native wild felid species; however, distinct populations of free-ranging “forest cats” of unknown species are known throughout the island, including at Ankarafantsika National Park, Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve, Makira Natural Park and the Masoala peninsula. Malagasy “forest cats” are commonly considered invasive lemur predators and competitors with endemic carnivores as well as a nuisance exotic species that kill poultry. These cats may be descendants of African wildcats, European wildcats and/or domestic cats; however, no research on their genetic origin has been published. To determine their taxonomic status, genetic data from short tandem repeat markers was assessed for three wild-caught “forest cats” from the Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve (BMSR) and 27 “forest cats” from Ankarafantsika National Park. Bayesian analyses comparing the Malagasy “forest cats” to approximately 1900 domestic and wildcat sub-species suggest the Malagasy cats are descendents of domestic cats from the Arabian Sea region, including the islands of Lamu and Pate, Dubai, Kuwait and Oman. Additional genetic influences may descend from India and Pakistan. Combined with cultural and historical information, these data suggest that these felid populations are likely descendents from cats that immigrated to the island on trade ships, particularly along early Arab trade routes.

Seven new species of the giant pill-millipede genus Zoosphaerium Pocock, 1895 are described from Madagascar: Z. nigrum sp. nov., Z. silens sp. nov., Z. ambatovaky sp. nov., Z. beanka sp. nov., Z. voahangy sp. nov., Z. masoala sp. nov. and Z. spinopiligerum sp. nov. All species are described based on drawings and scanning electron microscopy, while genetic barcoding of the COI gene was successful for six of the seven new species. Additional COI barcode information is provided for the first time for Z. album Wesener, 2009 and Z. libidinosum (de Saussure & Zehntner, 1897). Zoosphaerium nigrum sp. nov. and Z. silens sp. nov. belong to the Z. libidinosum species-group, Z. ambatovaky sp. nov. to the Z. coquerelianum species-group, Z. beanka sp. nov., Z. voahangy sp. nov. and Z. masoala sp. nov. to the Z. platylabum species-group and Z. spinopiligerum sp. nov. to the Z. piligerum species-group. Updated identification keys are provided for each species-group. Two western dry forest species, Z. silens sp. nov. and Z. voahangy sp. nov. are recorded from two localities, while the other five species are currently only known from their type localities. Of special conservation concern might be Z. ambatovaky sp. nov. from the lowland rainforest fragment of Ambatovaky, a nowadays isolated lowland rainforest, rapidly shrinking due to slash and burn agriculture. In addition to the new species, new locality data is provided for 11 species and numerous unidentifiable species of Zoosphaerium: Z. neptunus (Butler, 1872), Z. platylabum (de Saussure & Zehntner, 1902) and Z. piligerum (de Saussure & Zehntner, 1897) from the central eastern montane forests, as well as Z. ambrense Wesener, 2009, Z. aureum Wesener, 2009, Z. libidinosum, Z. corystoides Wesener, 2009, Z. discolor Wesener, 2009, Z. smaragdinum Wesener, 2009, Z. villosum Wesener & Sierwald, 2005 and Microsphaerotherium anjozorobe Wesener, 2009.

—A new species with verrucose fruits and relatively large leaves, Eugenia antilahimenae, is described from the northeast of Madagascar. It is known from the protected areas of Makira and Masoala in lowland rainforests west and north of the Baie d'Antongil. We provide a detailed description of the species, illustration, a table comparing morphologically similar taxa, and preliminary assessment of the risk of extinction following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, which indicates a status of “Least Concern.”

Diving beetles are generally aquatic and live submerged in water during larval and adult stages. A few groups have colonised hygropetric habitats and fewer species still can possibly be referred to as terrestrial. Here we describe six new Copelatine species that were mainly found in dry shallow forest floor depressions in the eastern and northeastern lowland humid forests of Madagascar. Three new species are described in each of the two genera Copelatus and Madaglymbus: Copelatus amphibiussp. nov., Copelatus betamponasp. nov., Copelatus zanatanensissp. nov., Madaglymbus kelimasosp. nov., Madaglymbus menalambasp. nov., and Madaglymbus semifactussp. nov. Diagnosis, description, known distribution, ecology, and conservation notes are provided for each species. All species are illustrated with a dorsal habitus image, ventral and lateral views of the male penis, and parameres. Photographs of the unusual terrestrial habitats where the species were found are provided. Madaglymbus menalambasp. nov. is also documented with macrophotos and videorecordings of the terrestrial locomotion and behaviour in the field. Although these species should not be classified as terrestrial, or even semi-terrestrial Dytiscidae, they seem to be specialists of very ephemeral aquatic habitats and stay put instead of disperse when the habitat dries up. It is hypothesised that this lifestyle and behaviour on Madagascar is restricted to the high-precipitation humid forest regions mainly in the east. It may also represent a transition step, or stepping-stone, towards becoming fully terrestrial, a step that the few known terrestrial Dytiscid taxa once passed through. It is very likely that this type of habitat is overlooked for aquatic beetles, not only in Madagascar, and the six species herein described may be just the “tip of the iceberg”.

Gautier, L. & Y. Naciri (2018). Three Critically Endangered new species of Capurodendron (Sapotaceae) from Madagascar. Candollea 73: 121–129. In English, English and French abstracts. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15553/c2018v731a13Three new species in the Malagasy endemic genus Capurodendron Aubrev. (Sapotaceae) are described and illustrated. Their preliminary conservation status according to the criteria of IUCN is provided. Capurodendron schatzii L. Gaut. & Naciri is a large-laeved evergreen tree from the humid forest east of the Masoala peninsula. The new species is compared with the other large-leaved species of the genus. Capurodendron sahafariense L. Gaut. & Naciri is a deciduous small-leaved tree of medium size from dry forests on sandy soils in the extreme North. It shares with Capurodendron costatum Aubrev. a 5-ridged fruit, but differs by its much smaller leaves. As it name implies, Capurodendron nanophyllum L. Gaut. & Naciri has the smallest leaves encountered in the genus. It is a shrub found near Tsihombe in the extreme south, the driest part of the island, within the range of the variable Capurodendron androyense Aubrev. The differences between the two taxa are highlighted. All three species are preliminary assessed as “Critically Endangered”.

A new species of Phyllarthron DC. (Bignoniaceae) is described from Northern Madagascar: Phyllarthron longipedunculatum Callm. & Phillipson, sp. nov. The new species is endemic to low elevation tropical evergreen forests and is known from the North of the Masoala peninsula and around the foothills of the Kalobinono and Tsaratanana massifs. The new species differs from all the other species of the genus by its petiolate articulate phyllodes reduced to a single article and the cauliflorous inflorescences gathered on a contracted raceme at the apex of a long peduncle. Line drawings are provided, along with a discussion of its morphological affinities and a preliminary risk of extinction assessment.

Ranarivelo, H. & F. Almeda (2019). A new Dichaetanthera (Melastomataceae: Melastomateae) from Masoala National Park in Madagascar. Candollea 74: 131–136. In English, English and French abstracts. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15553/c2019v742a2Dichaetanthera schatzii H. Ranariv. & Almeda, a new species from Masoala National Park in northeastern Madagascar, is described, illustrated, and compared with Dichaetanthera arborea Baker, its presumed closest relative. Dichaetanthera schatzii appears to be endemic to the lowland humid evergreen forest on the southwestern side of Masoala National Park in Madagascar.

Four new palm species are described in the genus Dypsis: three tree palms from the Masoala peninsula in north-eastern Madagascar (D. mijoroana sp. nov., D. ovojavavy sp. nov. and D. rabepierrei sp. nov.), and one understorey palm, D. aurantiaca sp. nov. from eastern-central Madagascar. Illustrations, a distribution map and conservation status are provided for all four species.

Madagascar is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. The island's past and current rates of deforestation and habitat disturbance threaten its plethora of endemic biodiversity. On Madagascar, tavy (slash and burn agriculture), land conversion for rice cultivation, illegal hardwood logging and bushmeat hunting are the major contributors to habitat disturbance. Understanding species-specific responses to habitat disturbance across different habitat types is crucial when designing conservation strategies. We surveyed three nocturnal lemur species in four forest types of varying habitat disturbance on the Masoala Peninsula, northeastern Madagascar. We present here updated abundance and density estimates for the Endangered Avahi mooreorum and Lepilemur scottorum, and Microcebus sp. Distance sampling surveys were conducted on 11 transects, covering a total of 33 km after repeated transect walks. We collected data on tree height, bole height, diameter at breast height, canopy cover and tree density using point-quarter sampling to characterise the four forest types (primary lowland, primary littoral, selectively logged and agricultural mosaic). Median encounter rates by forest type ranged from 1 to 1.5 individuals (ind.)/km (Microcebus sp.), 0-1 ind./km (A. mooreorum) and 0-1 ind./km (L. scottorum). Species density estimates were calculated at 232.31 ind./km2 (Microcebus sp.) and 121.21 ind./km2 (A. mooreorum), while no density estimate is provided for L. scottorum due to a small sample size. Microcebus sp. was most tolerant to habitat disturbance, exhibiting no significant effect of forest type on abundance. Its small body size, omnivorous diet and generalised locomotion appear to allow it to tolerate a variety of habitat disturbance. Both A. mooreorum and L. scottorum showed significant effects of forest type on their respective abundance. This study suggests that the specialist locomotion and diet of A. mooreorum and L. scottorum make them susceptible to the effects of increasing habitat disturbance.

INTRODUCTION:Madagascar possesses a land of exceptional endemism for flora and fauna representing 90% of its whole wildlife, which can be considered as one of the highest rates in the world (Annik Schnitzler, 2015). By the splendor of its ecosystem, Madagascar was once called the Green Island. But this name is now changed into the so-called "Red Island' because of the pressure of population on the environment (Bernard Moizo, 2011). One aspect of that pressure is the illegal exploitation of precious wood, rosewood and ebony. The rosewood known under the scientific name Dalbergia of Madagascar (Dalbergia. spp), for decades has become the main target of illegal operations. This rosewood belongs to the rainforest type. Rosewood has a lot of function; among the others, it represents the place where animals like Simpona, Indri Indri and many others dwell. Therefore, it is practically important to protect and preserve it against illegal activities, especially if it is associated with World Heritage areas, namely Marojejy and Masoala National Parks (NPs).Derek S. and Porter P. Lowry II acknowledge an increase rate of illegal logging in the SAVA region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where abundant rosewood has been exploited and exported for the last decade ( Derek S. and Porter P. Lowry II, 2009). Confiscated wood has been apprehended in both protected areas of Marojejy and Masoala as suggested by various tangible evidences. (Patel, 2007). Besides, poor local people in the vicinity of the parks as well as several well-organized criminal networks have unceasingly seized on forests exploitation (Derek Schuurman and Porter P. Lowry II, 2009). It is illegal because the illegal logging is defined as the harvest, transport, sale or purchase of timber in contravention to national laws (John Innes, 2010). The Malagasy Law No. 97-017 of 8 August 1997 revising forest legislation has clearly cited in article 17 that, strict nature reserves, national parks, special reserves and protected forests in respect of international conventions as well as land and water areas defined in Article 2 are not likely to distraction (Ministry of Water and Forests, 2015) whereas the logging in question is operated inside the PAs. Environmental Investigation Agency and Global Witness has discovered the illegal harvest of rosewood is about 100 to 200 trees per day in northern Madagascar, according to the survey conducted in 2009 (Global Witness and Environmental Investigation Agency, 2009).This means that these woods are from Marojejy and Masoala, and also from the place around the sites. Thousands of trees are cut illegally, and tons of timbers are exported outside the country in the same way. According to the Ministry of Water and Forest, between 87% of the exploited forests, 60% is for the rosewood only (Brodbeck, 1999 cited in Randriamalala and Zhou). Currently, Madagascar is already suffering serious land degradation due to illegal operations inspite of the presentt laws in vigor governing the protection of forest. Since 2009, rosewood trafficking has never ceased growing. The number of exploiters increases, for instance, in 2009, operators were in total of 13, but in 2012, that number has increased from 19 to 103, or 542% (Hery F. Randriamalala, 2013). The vast majority of rosewood exploitation source, representing 98,5% of them are considered as illegal, according to Rakotondramanga, 2002, while Jerome Ballet et al. 2010, shared the same views emphasizing to an extreme but chaotic illegal exploition of such invaluble wood since the year 2009. Therefore, this present study aimed to, firstly, analyze the reason why the forestry regulation and management policies on rosewood trees are not effective and stop the problems of forest harvesting in Madagascar. Secondly, it proposes recommendations on how to protect the Protected Areas (PAs) of Marojejy and Masoala from illegal logging.MATERIALS AND METHODS:DATA COLLECTION:The data was collected in Madagascar. …

Studying seasonal hunting patterns can be critical for developing sound actions for conservation and public health. As availability of funds to implement conservation policy is limited, it is essential to focus efforts during the most critical times of year. During July 2011–June 2012 I recorded direct observations of hunting of forest mammals, and conducted daily 24-hour recall surveys (2 weeks per month over 11 months: August 2011–June 2012), and interviews of all households in a focal village on the Masoala Peninsula of Madagascar to investigate (1) what drives seasonal hunting patterns and (2) how seasonal variation in consumption of wildlife and domestic meat affects native species and people. There is marked seasonal variation in hunting of forest mammals and in the consumption of fish and domesticated livestock on the Masoala Peninsula. Hunters target bushpigs Potamochoerus larvatus and tenrec and lemur species during the austral winter (March–August), whereas more native and introduced carnivorans, fish and domesticated livestock are consumed during the austral summer (September–February). The results suggest that seasonal variation in hunting patterns is driven by the physical and behavioural characteristics of prey rather than seasonal scarcity of alternative meat. Seasonal hunting and meat consumption on the Masoala Peninsula may amplify the negative impact of hunting on native carnivorans and tenrecs (which are hunted when they are pregnant and lactating), and the positive impact of consumption of lemurs, bushpigs and tenrecs on human health. This study highlights an important aspect of hunting on the Masoala: the decision whether or not to hunt is made independently of decisions regarding when to hunt particular species.

A new species of Chapelieria was discovered during a recent field trip to the Masoala National Park in eastern Madagascar, and is described here as Chapelieria magna Kainul., sp. nov. This species is readily distinguishable from previously described species of the genus by its quadrangular shoots, triangular-calyptrate stipules, sessile leaves, pubescent styles, and ridged fruits. It also differs in the larger number of ovules and the much larger size of leaves and fruits.

Scherberich, D. & J. Duruisseau (2017). Two new species of Begonia sect. Erminea (Begoniaceae) from Nosy Mangabe in Madagascar. Candollea 72: 257–263. In English, English and French abstracts. Begonia nosymangabensis Scherber. & Duruiss. and Begonia pteridoides Scherber. & Duruiss. are described and illustrated. Both new species belong to Begonia sect. Erminea A. DC. Begonia nosymangabensis is compared to Begonia keraudreniae Bosser, from which it differs in having larger and more deeply incised leaves which lack adaxial hairs. Begonia pteridoides is related to Begonia bogneri Ziesenh. but differs by its very divided leaves. Both new species are micro-endemics, restricted to Nosy Mangabe island in northeast Madagascar and are assessed as “Vulnerable” according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Apresentamos aqui dados sobre a idade na maturidade sexual e longevidade para algumas especies de Mantellidae dos generos Boophis, Gephyromantis e Mantidactylus que habitam a floresta tropical de baixa altitude de Masoala (nordeste de Madagascar). Contagens de linhas de crescimento (LAGs) foram utilizadas para calcular a longevidade dessas especies; esses dados contribuem para avaliacoes do nivel de ameaca desses anuros. Boophis inclui especies de medio a grande porte (SVL = 30–65 mm) que atingem a maturidade sexual em 1–3 anos e vivem de 3–9 anos (i.e., longevidade media). Mantidactylus e Gephyromatis incluem especies de pequeno a grande porte (SVL = 22–107 e 35–49 mm, respectivamente) que atingem maturidade sexual em 1–3 anos e vivem de 1–8 e 3–7 anos, respectivamente

This article takes Zurich’s Masoala Halle as an example to show how the spatial redistribution of whiteness, as Sara Ahmed calls it, is tied to a specific use of science and the scientific through two interconnected arguments. First, the difference between the scientific human and the ‘native informant’ is taken up. As Gayatri Spivak’s account of the native informant indicates, the displaying of whiteness relies on the racialised Other who stands in for the premodern ways of life as well as the basic and primitive aspects of human existence. Second, the current return of representations of the native Other to zoo exhibitions, as exemplified by the Zurich Zoo, needs to be seen within the trajectory of the human zoos of the late nineteenth century that were crucial for the popular establishment of a racialised gaze, which drew heavily on the emerging scientific approach to the world and vice versa.

Frugivorous primates can play a critical role in the regeneration of degraded habitats by dispersing seeds of their food plants. We studied the diet and seed dispersal patterns of 3 groups of habituated red-ruffed lemurs (Varecia rubra) in a rain forest restoration site in Masoala National Park, Madagascar, to assess the species' seed dispersal effectiveness. Fruits accounted for 61% of the diet, with an average foraging time of 10 min per fruit patch per day. Seeds from 75% of the consumed fruit species were recovered in the collected V. rubra feces. We traced the potential parent plants of 20 dispersed-seed species to calculate a gut passage range (63-423 min; mean = 225, n = 35). The median seed dispersal distance from the potential parent plant was 48 m (mean = 83 m, range 0-568 m, n = 194). The home ranges of 2 of the 3 groups overlapped with the regenerating forest parcels. Although 92% of fecal samples with seeds were dispersed into the undisturbed forest, V. rubra fed on the fruits of the non-native pioneer shrub Clidemia hirta, while also dispersing native and non-native seed species into the regenerating forest parcels.

Three new species of Begonia section Erminea A.DC. from north-east Madagascar are described and illustrated. They share a tuberous habit, four tepaled male flowers and six tepaled female flowers, which are typical of that section. Begonia ambanizanensis Scherber. & Duruiss., sp. nov. differs from the other species in that section by the symmetric, sub-orbicular, succulent leaf blades. Begonia ambodiforahensis Scherber. & Duruiss., sp. nov. is compared to B. antongilensis Humbert and B. erminea L'Her. but it differs from both by the combination of an acaulescent habit and the numerous lanceolate leaves with red margins and spiculiform red hairs on the blade. Begonia harimalalae Scherber. & Duruiss., sp. nov. is also compared to B. erminea from which it differs by the thicker, larger leaves, which are glabrous, with the margins shallowly and sparsely serrate vs densely biserrate.

We conducted an analysis of deforestation and forest disturbance from 2005-2011 in Masoala National Park, the largest federal protected area in Madagascar. We found that the annual rate of forest c...

Defining species limits and describing species of ants are important to identify taxa and habitats with elevated diversity in areas of high conservation priority such as the Malagasy region. The Pachycondyla wasmannii-group is revised in the Malagasy region where eight species are recognized, four of which are new: P. masoala sp. n., P. planicornis sp. n., P. tavaratra sp. n., and P. vazimba sp. n. Four species have been previously described: P. cambouei Forel, P. comorensis (André), P. perroti Forel, and P. wasmannii Forel. Pachycondyla perroti admista Forel is newly synonymized under P. perroti. Pachycondyla cambouei is widespread in eastern Madagascar, morphologically variable, and divided into seven morphotypes. An identification key to species and distribution maps are provided for the genus in the Malagasy region. All species are known only from Madagascar except P. wasmannii, which occurs also on Anjouan of the Comoros Islands.

The new species Podorungia gesnerioides Onjalalaina & I. Darbysh. is described and illustrated and its affinities to the other species in the genus are discussed. It is the only species in Podorungia with an open dichasial inflorescence. This new species is assessed as globally "Endangered" following the Categories and Criteria of IUCN, because of threats to its lowland forest habitat. The generic delimitation of the Malagasy genera in the tribe Barlerieae is discussed and the similarities of the five endemic genera to the tropical African genus Crabbea are noted. A key to the genera of Barlerieae in Madagascar is provided, based on the key in Benoist’s Flore de Madagascar et des Comores account of the Acanthaceae. In addition, a brief review of current progress on the taxonomy of the Acanthaceae of Madagascar is provided.

Scherberich, D. & J.Duruisseau (2016). Begonia henrilaportei Scherber. & J. Duruisseau (Begoniaceae), a new endemic species from the Masoala peninsula, Madagascar. Candollea 71 : 13–18. In English, English and French abstracts. DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.15553/c2016v711a3 Begonia henrilaportei Scherber. & J. Duruisseau, new species of Begoniaceae from the Masoala peninsula, in north-east Madagascar, is described and illustrated. It is provisionally placed in section Nerviplacentaria A. DC. and compared with Begonia lyallii A. DC. with which it presents morphological affinities. It is also compared with Begonia nana L'Her. and Begonia bogneri Ziesenh. with which it has been mistaken in herbarium. A comparative table of characters is provided. The new species differs from these three species by having a caulescent habit with a creeping stem and linear-lanceolate blades with pinnate venation. The diagnostic characters, geographic distribution and a preliminary conservation assessment of the new spec...

Madagascar has a high diversity of endemic palm species and the Masoala Peninsula is a hotspot for their diversity. Several species are critically endangered and their populations known to be in decline due to a combination of land clearance, destructive harvesting for heart of palm and potentially unsustainable commercial seed collection. The critically endangered Voanioala gerardii and the endangered Lemurophoenix halleuxii are two palm species from monospecific genera endemic to Madagascar that overlap in their distribution within this region. This project undertook field surveys of all known populations of these two species to document their population sizes and locations. We modelled their area of potentially suitable habitat within the region and undertook genetic analysis to investigate genetic diversity and relatedness among populations of each species. The study found overlapping but contrasting patterns of potential habitat. It also found contrasting levels and patterns of genetic diversity between the two species that were not consistent with the modelled habitat distributions. We found that Voanioala gerardii populations are critically small but contain unexpectedly high levels of genetic diversity, which may indicate as yet undiscovered populations remaining. An active program to change methods of seed collection and to involve local villagers and land managers in the conservation of these species would be required to prevent their extinction.

Hughes M. 2011. — A new species of fleshy-fruited Begonia (Begoniaceae) from the Masoala Peninsula, Madagascar. Adansonia, ser. 3, 33(1): 81–85.

Recent observations of the Red Owl (Tyto soumagnei) in Madagascar demonstrated that it inhabits dry deciduous forest, and roosts on rock ledges and in cave entrances in the extreme north of the island. We observed a Red Owl at a sinkhole site in the Reserve Speciale d'Ankarana, found evidence of its use of an additional cave, and collected its pellets in three separate dry seasons between 2000 and 2003. Tsingy tufted-tailed rats (Eliurus antsingy) constituted almost 50% of the total prey mass of Red Owls at Ankarana. Their diet at Ankarana differed from that of Red Owls from Masoala in the humid northeast of Madagascar, as the Ankarana pellets contained insects, frogs, and numerous geckos. Red Owls appear to consume more native than introduced rodents and do not appear to prey upon birds or bats like other large owls on the island. Forest degradation could reduce densities of tufted-tailed rats and could be a conservation threat to this owl.

A revision of the Malagasy endemic species complex of yams (Dioscorea L.) which possesses flowers with campanulate tori is presented with keys and full descriptions. It comprises six species that were placed in Dioscorea sect. Seriflorae Burkill & H. Perrier and D. sect. Campanuliflorae Burkill & H. Perrier in the Flore de Madagascar et des Comores treatment. D. decaryana H. Perrier does not belong in the species complex. One species (D. kimiae Wilkin) is described and illustrated for the first time. It is found in light gaps in humid evergreen forest near Ambanizana on the Masoala peninsula and near Ranomafana in Fianarantsoa Prefecture. Recent collections demonstrate that D. madecassa H. Perrier and D. karatana Wilkin are conspecific, as are D. seriflora Jum. & H. Perrier and D. tanalarum H. Perrier. Three accepted species names (D. maciba Jum. & H. Perrier, D. seriflora Jum. & H. Perrier and D. tsaratananensis H. Perrier and two placed in synonymy (D. bararum H. Perrier and D. ovifotsy H. Perrier) are lectotypified. The species complex comprises one common, widespread species from deciduous Western vegetation, one widespread in humid eastern forests, and four with restricted distributions in evergreen forests of the Central Highlands and East of Madagascar. Their diversity and systematics are discussed.

For people in rural Madagascar, the growth of one's kin group and the joint processes of movement and anchorage in the land are fundamental aspects of a successful life. In this article, I examine the clash between the Malagasy ethos of growth and the canonical conservationist ethos of static equilibrium. I argue that biodiversity conservation on the Masoala peninsula leaves local people with a sense of having been defeated in the purpose of life as they understand it. I further suggest that, in the case of people of slave descent, such defeat reverses the historical process of shedding slave status. [Madagascar, Masoala, conservation, national parks, concepts of growth, slavery]

The critically endangered, endemic Madagascar Serpent-Eagle Eutriochis astur was searched for and studied from 1993-98 on Masoala Peninsula, northeastern Madagascar. Fifteen individual serpent-eagles were detected at nine different localities throughout the Masoala Peninsula. The first nest of the Madagascar Serpent-Eagle was discovered on 7 November 1997. The nest was in an epiphytic fern Asplenium nidus supported by vines and branches, 20.1 m above the ground in a Potameia capuroni of 36.2 cm diameter at breast height. The epiphytic fern was lined with leaves in the centre and twigs were positioned to form a nest rim. The nest measured 76 times 57 cm and contained one white egg. The female and male incubated for 77% and 21% of 118 hours of nest observations, respectively. The egg hatched on 21 November 1997, and the young fledged 62 days later on 22 January. Chameleons Furcifer and Calumma spp., and leaf-tailed geckos Uroplatus sp., made up the most numerous prey types taken, representing 83% of the 133 identified prey. Currently, the Masoala Peninsula forest contains the greatest number of sightings and known density of serpent-eagles in Madagascar.

The secretive, endemic Short-legged Ground-Roller Brachypteracias leptosomus was studied from October 1996 to February 1997 on the Masoala Peninsula, northeast Madagascar. Several vocalizations were associated with contact, courtship feeding and food solicitation. One study pair ranged within an area of 19.1 ha and spent 90% of their time together. They used small trees for foraging and resting, and durations of perch time averaged 9.8 min. Of the 229 identified prey items recorded, 88% were invertebrates and 12% vertebrates. The first described nests for this species were observed in December 1996 and January 1997. The first nest was in a natural tree cavity 18.1 m above the ground in a 133-cm diameter-at-breast height (dbh) Weinmannia sp., and it contained at least one egg. This nest failed on 1 January 1997 when a swarm of Honey Bees Apis mellifera took over the cavity. On 7 January, the pair began excavating another nest 22 m above the ground in a 174-cm dbh Canarium madagascarense, in the root mass and decayed material of epiphytes and below a 1 -m diameter forked branch. Incubation lasted between 22–26 days and the nestling period was 30 days. One young fledged in March 1997.

Two new species of Eugenia (Myrtaceae) are described from the Masoala Peninsula in Madagascar: Eugenia williamsiana and Eugenia ambanizanensis. Each has relatively large leaves among Malagasy taxa of the genus. Both species are presently known from only two collections, but since they occur in a well-protected area they are considered Least Concern under IUCN guidelines. Features of the inflorescence and floral morphology of E. ambanizanensis are atypical for Eugenia and are discussed in light of the putatively related genera Stereocaryum, Monimiastrum, and Plinia. A tentative key is provided for species of Eugenia from Madagascar in which some or all of the mature leaves are in excess of 15 cm in length. Based on published and unpublished DNA sequencing data, five species of Monimiastrum are transferred into Eugenia.

Environmental education programs for schools in the peripheral zone of protected areas in Madagascar are still needed in numerous locations. My research investigated the status of environmental education and communication (EE&C) programs at Masoala National Park, Madagascar, as well as the attitudes of local residents toward the park and park staff. The multi-year qualitative research methods included individual and focus group interviews, participant observation, archival research, an EE&C workshop for park staff, and pilot testing of environmental education activities. Research identified that EE&C activities conducted by park agents had been minimal and that park staff were inadequately prepared to conduct these programs. Research results indicated that additional public awareness and education activities were needed. As an outcome of the research, a conservation education curriculum guide was developed for the schools on the periphery of Masoala National Park and distributed to all teachers in the are...

The island of Madagascar ranks second to the neotropics in diversity of Bignoniaceae. Tribe Coleeae (Bignoniaceae) is a monophyletic group of tropical trees endemic to Madagascar and surrounding islands. The Masoala assemblage of Coleeae, in northeastern Madagascar, utilizes four mechanisms for avoiding competition via niche specialization: (1) morphologically via characters that comprise syndromes, explaining part of the pattern in this system – although the syndrome concept is not perfect; (2) spatially via vertical stratification and potentially pollen placement; (3) temporally via phenological stagger; (4) ethologically via flowering duration and display. The 13 sympatric species of understory treelets and canopy trees did receive low flower visitor numbers. Contrary to the prevailing view of pollination systems where generalized systems predict equivalency between floral traits and pollinators, I found that different pollinators pollinated the 13 species of trees, that floral characters of different trees did not overlap in multidimensional phenotype space, and that few species of trees were visited by more than two pollinator groups. The use of multiple niches is potentially important in understanding both the origin and maintenance of tropical tree diversity.

Breeding ecology of the endemic Velvet Asity Philepitta castanea was studied in the rainforests of Ranomafana, southeastern Madagascar, from October 1990 to January 1991 and Masoala Peninsula, northeastern Madagascar, from October 2000 to February 2001. All three pear-shaped nests discovered during our study were placed at the end of hanging branches (6–8 m above the ground) of Tambourissa spp. (Monimiaceae) and Cryptocarya spp. (Lauraceae). Two female-plumaged birds participated in nest building in Ranomafana, whereas at two nests studied in Masoala one adult black male and one female participated. In the two study areas, only one adult female was seen to incubate and to take care of the young. The nestling period lasted about 17 days; the young were fed by a female-plumaged bird with prepared fruits of Tambourissa spp. and Aphloya theaformis shrubs (in Ranomafana). Strongly marked sexual differences, non-similar sex roles and male territorial attendance with displays, show that P. castanea has ...

We describe a new arboreal, cophyline, microhylid frog from the rainforest of northeastern Madagascar belonging to the genus Anodonthyla. Anodonthyla hutchisoni, new species, is named in honor of a lifetime of dedication to excellence in herpetology by V. H. Hutchison. Anodonthyla hutchisoni differs from a close relative, A. boulengeri, in having generally larger morphometric features and in aspects of pattern (most A. hutchisoni have distinct lightly colored spots on their dorsum). Furthermore, A. hutchisoni is genetically divergent from two close relatives, A. boulengeri and A. moramora (11–12% uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence for a fragment of the mitochondrial ribosomal 12S ribosomal RNA gene). Anodonthyla hutchisoni is likely an endemic species to northeastern Madagascar inhabiting and breeding within tree holes.

1. Justifying the designation of protected areas often depends on the ability to select areas in good ecological conditions, with high taxonomic richness, and unique habitats or species assemblage characteristics. 2. The ecology of scleractinian coral and prosobranch snails were examined along the Masoala Peninsula of north-eastern Madagascar using rapid assessment methods to evaluate the correspondence between unique invertebrate faunal characteristics and park designation. 3. The reefs along this peninsula are in good ecological condition and have a coral and snail fauna similar to most of the western Indian Ocean, with no indications of local endemism in these groups. There was no relationship between the taxonomic richness of snails and corals. Corals were better at distinguishing locations based on taxonomic richness while snails were better based on unique faunal characteristics. 4. Corals had the highest taxonomic richness on the extreme windward north and south and the lowest richness on the leeward side of the peninsula. The leeward side did, however, have an unusual habitat of corals growing on granite rock with a unique coral and snail fauna. A northern and southern assemblage characterized snail fauna on the windward side of the peninsula. 5. The composite findings indicate that the currently designated park areas cover two of the three areas that have either high diversity or unique faunas. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Here we present information on the conservation status of ruffed lemurs (Varecia) north of the Bay of Antongil in northeastern Madagascar. Two contiguous protected areas were recently established that traverse this region via blocks of forest connected by narrow forest corridors: the Masoala National Park, which expands further to the east, and the Makira Protected Area, which expands further to the west and northwest. The two extant ruffed lemurs, Varecia variegata and V. rubra, overlapped in this region historically and, on rare occasions, hybridized. As such, land north of the Bay of Antongil is a critical part of the ruffed lemur's northern geographic range. Habitat surveys and interviews with local informants were carried out in this region to determine the extent of suitable habitat for Varecia populations, to assess the extent of human exploitation of this genus, and to obtain data on the western and northern range limits of V. rubra. Interviews indicated that there are populations of V. ...