MADAGASCAN POISONOUS FROGS

Mantella crocea

Family: Mantellidae Genus: Mantella Species: crocea Common Names Yellow Mantella , Eastern Golden Frog Countries Madagascar
	Species Distribution Map

Taxonomy and Biology

Adult length: 17mm

Description

Dorsal surface colour is lemon yellow, yellowish to orange or greenish orange with or without black flecking or speckling and with or without a fine black vertebral line and occasionally with a greyish hour glass shaped marking. Head laterally is black. Flanks are black anteriorly and similar to ( or the same ) as dorsal colour posteriorly the border between dorsum and flanks is sharply defined anteriorly and extends laterally. A white or pale labial line ( often broken ) is present on the upper lip and usually extends to the arm. Ventral surface colour is black with some white to grey or bluish spotting or flecking Throat is black with some white spotting which often forms a semicircular band along the lower lip. Legs are yellowish to orange or greenish above with bright red on the ventral side of legs with or without some black spotting. Fingers and toes are usually yellowish to orange or greenish ( similar to posterior flanks.

Habitat

Tropical rainforest at elevations between about 500 and 1000 metres.

Habits

Diurnal and terrestrial frog.

Prey

Feeds mainly on ants and termites.

Poison Activity

Poison Type: Pumiliotoxins, Decahydroquinolines, Pyrrolizidines, Indolizidines, Quinolizidines