Subdesert mesite  (Monias benschi)

Endemic to Madagascar, the subdesert mesite occurs only in a narrow coastal strip in the south-west, lying between the River Mangoky to the north and the River Fiherenana to the south. This strip measures 200 kilometres long, 30 to 60 kilometres wide (4), and is bordered by the coast on the west and the start of the hills on the east (3).

The subdesert mesite inhabits dry thicket and spiny forest on sandy soil (3) (4), with an abundance of dead leaf litter (2). It occurs at elevations from sea-level up to 130 metres, and is believed to tolerate disturbed or degraded habitat, but avoids areas which lack any shade (3).