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Predation upon Mantella aurantiaca in the Torotorofotsy wetlands, central-eastern Madagascar

Malagasy poisonous frogs of genus Mantella are small, diurnal frogs with skin glands containing alkaloids and characterised by aposematic colouration. Due to their noxiousness and warning colouration, it is thought that they do not have many natural predators. Until now, only one successful and one aborted predation on Mantella frogs were reported. Herein, we account about two successful predations on M. aurantiaca in Torotorofotsy wetland, in central-eastern Madagascar. The first predation was observed by lizard Zoonosaurus sp. and the second predation by a snake probably belonging to Thamnosophis lateralis. Both predators did not seem to mind the taste of the M. aurantiaca and ingested it.

Amphibia: Mantellidae ; poison frogs ; Thamnosophis ; Zoonosaurus

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