Systematics and Biogeography of the Rainforest Herpetofauna of Madagascar

建议的研究是：(1)确定马达加斯加残存热带雨林的两栖动物多样性；(2)确定组成物种的分布和相对丰度；(3)基于形态、遗传、染色体、行为和生活史数据的分支和物候学分析，估计物种和属的系统关系；(4)使用分支学方法分析马达加斯加境内的生物地理格局；(5)结合对两栖爬行动物起源的分析，确定地方性热带雨林属的前马达加斯加姐妹群；(6)编写对负责保护马达加斯加动物的土地管理者有用的专著、检索表和实地指南；(7)编制分布记录数据库，以确定保护优先事项；和(8)对马达加斯加学生进行爬行学和野外生物学方面的培训。一些附带的目标是启动对两个最多样化的蛙属Boohim和Mantidactylus的性别选择、物种形成和发声的研究；研究小水蚤的反捕食者机制；汇编所有雨林物种的生态和生活史数据；帮助在马达加斯加国家动物园和国立大学建立一个精心策划的两栖和爬行动物收藏；并向马达加斯加官员提供关于保护马达加斯加两栖动物的信息和建议。目前在马达加斯加有280种热带雨林两栖动物和爬行动物。这占马达加斯加爬行动物总数的70%，占马达加斯加特有陆生脊椎动物物种的至少50%。因此，热带雨林两栖动物是马达加斯加地方性脊椎动物区系中极其重要的组成部分。现在进行两栖动物调查是至关重要的，因为有充分的证据表明，马达加斯加的雨林正在以每年约111,000公顷的速度消失(即使在保护区内)。拟议的研究将对雨林保护倡议产生重大影响。

The proposed research is to (1) determine the herpetofaunal diversity of the remnant rainforests of Madagascar; (2) determine the distribution and relative abundance of the component species; (3) estimate the systematic relationships of species and genera based on cladistic and phenetric analyses of morphological, genetic, chromosomal, behavioral, and life history data; (4) use cladistic methods to analyze biogeographic patterns within Madagascar; (5) determine the ex-Madagascan sister groups of the endemic rainforest genera in conjunction with an analysis of the origin of the herpetofauna; (6) produce monographs, keys, and field guides that will be useful to land managers charged with conservation of the Madagascan fauna; (7) compile a data base of distribution records to identify conservation priorities; and (8) train Malagasy students in the disciplines of herpetology and field biology. Some collateral objectives are to initiate a study of sexual selection, speciation, and vocalization in the two most diverse frog genera Boohis and Mantidactylus; study antipredator mechanisms in microhylid toads; compile ecological and life history data for all rainforest species; help to establish a well-curated collection of amphibians and reptiles at Madagascar's National Zoo and National University; and provide information and recommendations to Malagasy officials regarding conservation of the Madagascan herpetofauna. There are 280 currently recognized species of rainforest amphibians and reptiles in Madagascar. This represents 70 percent of the total Madagascan herpetofauna and at least 50 percent of Madagascar's endemic species of terrestrial vertebrates. Thus, the rainforest herpetofauna is an extremely important component of the endemic vertebrate fauna of Madagascar. It is crucial that herpetofaunal survey be done now, because it is well documented that the Madagascan rainforest is disappearing (even in reserves) at a rate of about 111,000 hectares annually. The proposed research would have a major impact on rainforest conservation initiatives.