Systematics and Biogeography of the Rainforest Herpetofauna of Madagascar

本研究的目的是：(1)确定马达加斯加热带雨林残余地区的爬虫动物多样性；(2)确定组成物种的分布和相对丰度；(3)基于形态学、遗传、染色体、行为和生活史数据的分支和表型分析，估计物种和属的系统关系；(4)利用进化分类方法分析马达加斯加生物地理格局；(5)结合对爬虫动物群起源的分析，确定特有热带雨林属的前马达加斯加姐妹类群；(6)制作专著、钥匙和实地指南，这些将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，以确定保育重点；(8)在爬虫学和野外生物学方面培训马达加斯加学生。一些次要的目标是开始研究两种最多样化的蛙属布氏蛙和螳螂蛙的性选择、物种形成和发声；微囊蟾蜍抗捕食机制的研究编制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。马达加斯加目前已知的雨林两栖动物和爬行动物有280种。这代表了马达加斯加70%的爬行动物和至少50%的马达加斯加特有陆生脊椎动物物种。因此，雨林爬虫动物群是马达加斯加特有脊椎动物动物群的一个极其重要的组成部分。现在进行爬虫动物群调查是至关重要的，因为有充分的证据表明，马达加斯加雨林正在以每年约11.1万公顷的速度消失（即使在保护区）。这项拟议中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.