Terrestrial Arthropod Inventory of Madagascar

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Arthropods constitute more than 75% of the terrestrial world's biodiversity and deserve increased attention in regions of the world, such as Madagascar, where species-rich habitats are under threat. This project will provide data on patterns of species richness, turnover, and endemism of arthropods in Madagascar, one of the major conservation priorities and one of the least explored biogeographic regions for arthropods on earth. The proposed inventories are critical for efforts to understand the origin and evolution of the arthropods of Madagascar and are essential for developing conservation priorities on the island that preserve the most diversity, an effort seriously impeded by a lack of collections and trained biologists. In collaboration with the Tsimbazaza Botanical and Zoological Park (PBZT) in Madagascar, the project has the following primary goals: (1) conduct intensive inventories of terrestrial arthropods in 15 localities in western and southern Madagascar; (2) provide conservation agencies in Madagascar with baseline biodiversity data for sound conservation planning; (3) establish a digital database consisting of keys, check lists, catalogues, and specimen data on line; (4) assist in developing a national arthropod collection in Madagascar; (5) promote Malagasy understanding of entomology through training of parataxonmists and graduate students.