Microhylid frog  (Rhombophryne matavy)

Thought to be Endangered (2), but not yet officially classified by the IUCN.

One of the newest amphibians known to science, Rhombophyrne matavy is found only in the Forêt d’Ambre Special Reserve in northern Madagascar (2). This little-known, burrow-dwelling frog has a stout, teardrop-shaped body that is covered in tubercles on the upperside, and short, robust legs that it uses to dig itself into the moist ground (1) (2). Small eyes sit on the large, wide head, and prominent ridges run along the back across the rough, granular skin. Dark brown with irregular dark patches on the upperside, the underside is a contrasting lighter brown with a pinkish tinge on the chest, although the legs are darker, the throat is black and some of the digits are a yellow-cream. Rhombophyrne matavy is similar in appearance to its relative Rhombophryne testudo, but lacks barbels on the lower lip and has a unique call of repeated harmonic notes (2).

Discovered as recently as 2008, and formerly described in 2010, to date Rhombophyrne matavy is known only from the Forêt d’Ambre Special Reserve in northern Madagascar (2).

Rhombophyrne matavy inhabits burrows that it digs into the ground at the base of small trees within lowland tropical rainforest. After rainfall it has also been seen calling from patches of  ground with a thick layer of leaf litter (2).  

As Rhombophyrne matavy has been observed in the wild on only a handful of occasions, very little is known about its biology. However, this burrow-dwelling frog likely spends vast amounts of time underground, emerging only during rains to mate or forage for a variety of mid-sized insects. Males have been heard calling in unison during rains, both at night and day, a behaviour that probably serves to attract spectating females to mate (2). As is typical of other frogs within the Rhombophyrne genus, egg laying and development of the juveniles may take place within the burrow with both the adult male and female frogs providing a degree of care (2) (3).

Home to over 300 frog species, 99 percent of which are endemic, the island of Madagascar is of major importance for amphibian conservation (4). The Forêt d’Ambre Special Reserve is of similar value as, in addition to Rhombophyrne matavy, two further frog species are endemic to this forest, while 25 regional endemics are also present (5). However, despite its immense importance and protected status, the Forêt d’Ambre Special Reserve is threatened by encroaching agriculture, charcoal production, logging and livestock overgrazing (2) (5). This is of particular concern as the reserve is situated close to several sizeable towns, greatly increasing the risk of human disturbances (2).

The Forêt d’Ambre Special Reserve, home to Rhombophyrne matavy, is one of the oldest reserves in Madagascar, having been established in 1958. However, this protected area has been largely neglected and received little funding compared to neighbouring reserves. Consequently, efforts are urgently required to improve its management, with recommendations including the training of forest wardens, the monitoring of forest resource use and the development of ecotourism (2) (5) (6).

To find out more about amphibian conservation, see:

• The IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist Group:
  http://www.amphibians.org/
• AmphibianArk:
  http://www.amphibianark.org/
• Sahonagasy:
  http://www.sahonagasy.org/

For additional information on Rhombophyrne matavy, see:

• D’Cruze, N., Köhler, J., Vences, M. and Glaw, F. (2010) A new fat fossorial frog (Microhylidae: Cophylinae: Rhombophyrne) from the rainforest of the Forêt d’Ambre Special Reserve, northern Madagascar. Herpetologica, 66: 182-191.