Description 25-30 mm. A conspicuously coloured species of Platypelis. Tympanum distinct, 1/2 of eye diameter. Tibiotarsal articulation reaches the tympanum. Toe 3 as long as toe 5. Skin smooth. Dorsally brown with a number of large black patches on the dorsum and on the flanks, a beige transversal band between the eyes, and a beige vertebral stripe. Underside of limbs and partly of the feet, and belly red. Throat brownish (Glaw and Vences 2007).
Similar species: The colour pattern is diagnostic, but the species may be mistaken with other Platypelis with red ventral colour (Glaw and Vences 2007).
Distribution and Habitat
Country distribution from AmphibiaWeb's database: Madagascar
Located in Bemanevika, Nosy Be (Lokobe), Manongarivo (Glaw and Vences 2007). Occurs from sea level up to 600m asl (Raxworthy and Glaw 2008).Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors Habits: Specimens have been found in Typhonodorum plants, but are typically observed calling at night on Ravenala, suggesting the species probably breeds in leaf axils (Glaw and Vences 2007).
Calls: A short melodious note that is repeated in fast, regular and long-lasting series (Glaw and Vences 2007). Trends and Threats Listed as endangered because its extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km2, all individuals are in fewer than five locations, and there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its forest habitat in northwestern Madagascar (Raxworthy and Glaw 2008).
The major threat is habitat loss due to subsistence agriculture, timber extraction, charcoal manufacture, spread of invasive eucalyptus, livestock grazing, fires and expanding human settlements. It occurs in a region where the rainforest is fragmented, and continuing loss of habitat can be expected. Its bright colouration might make it attractive for future commercial collecting. It might also be affected by the collection of screw pines, the leaves of which are used for the roofs of huts (Raxworthy and Glaw 2008).
Conservation Actions: It occurs in the R�serve Naturelle Int�grale de Lokobe, the R�serve Sp�ciale de Manongarivo, and the R�serve Naturelle Int�grale du Tsaratanana (Raxworthy and Glaw 2008). Possible reasons for amphibian decline General habitat alteration and loss Habitat modification from deforestation, or logging related activities Intensified agriculture or grazing Urbanization Subtle changes to necessary specialized habitat
Comments Taken with permission from Glaw and Vences (2007) and Raxworthy and Glaw (2008).
References
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). Platypelis milloti. In: IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 22 April 2009.
Originally submitted by: Miguel Vences and Frank Glaw (first posted 2002-01-24)
Edited by: Catherine Aguilar (2010-07-18)Species Account Citation: AmphibiaWeb 2010 Platypelis milloti <https://amphibiaweb.org/species/2339> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed Dec 1, 2024.
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Citation: AmphibiaWeb. 2024. <https://amphibiaweb.org> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed 1 Dec 2024.
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