Monday, January 23, 2012

This frog was found down near the waterfall on September 26, 2010, it is Stumpffia helenae (Helen's stump nosed frog). It has short digits and slow movements, but most importantly, it is only known from the fragmented forest of Ambohitantely. It is a poorly known species that was only discovered in 2000 and is thought to build a foam nest in the leaf litter. It has never been found in habitats that have been altered by humans.


Helena’s stump-toed frog is considered to be in decline by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.It is  critically endangered because its area of occupancy is probably less that 10 km. All individuals are in a single population and its habitat is declining. This is another reason to conserve and reforest Ambohitantely.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Reduvids mating


A neat ricaniid hopper @ Ambohitantely


A splash of color on the forest floor


Animated leaf


Forest beauty

The diversity and magnificence of this place convinces me of the need to save it for the future. Let's do all we can to ensure it remains the heritage of the Malagasy people.

Snazzy hopper


Minute Ambohitantely orchid


Cetonid with mites


Male Deinopus sp


cryptic Katydid (Cricket)


Forest beauty