Systematics and Biogeography of the Rainforest Herpetofauna of Madagascar

马达加斯加雨林爬行动物的系统学和生物地理学

• 批准号: 9024505
• 负责人: Ronald Nussbaum
• 金额: $ 17.69万
• 依托单位: Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 1991
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1991-08-01 至 1995-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9024505&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Systematics; Biogeography; Rainforest; Herpetofauna; Madagascar

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.

拟议的研究是为了（1）确定马达加斯加残余雨林的爬行动物多样性； (2)确定组成物种的分布和相对丰度； (3) 根据形态、遗传、染色体、行为和生活史数据的分支和表型分析估计种和属的系统关系； (4) 使用分支方法分析马达加斯加境内的生物地理格局； (5) 结合爬行动物起源分析，确定热带雨林特有属的前马达加斯加姊妹类群； (6) 编写专着、索引和实地指南，对负责保护马达加斯加动物群的土地管理者有用； (7) 建立分布记录数据库，以确定保护重点； (8) 培训马达加斯加学生爬虫学和野外生物学学科。 一些附带目标是启动对两个最多样化的青蛙属 Boohis 和 Mantidactylus 的性选择、物种形成和发声的研究；研究微囊蟾蜍的反捕食机制；编制所有雨林物种的生态和生活史数据；帮助马达加斯加国家动物园和国立大学建立精心策划的两栖动物和爬行动物收藏；并向马达加斯加官员提供有关马达加斯加爬行动物保护的信息和建议。 目前马达加斯加有 280 种热带雨林两栖动物和爬行动物。 这代表了马达加斯加爬行动物总数的 70% 和马达加斯加特有陆生脊椎动物物种的至少 50%。 因此，雨林爬行动物是马达加斯加特有脊椎动物群的极其重要的组成部分。 现在就进行爬虫类动物调查至关重要，因为有充分证据表明，马达加斯加雨林正在以每年约 111,000 公顷的速度消失（即使是保护区）。 拟议的研究将对雨林保护举措产生重大影响。