The amphibians of Betampona: an updated account of the remarkable diversity of Madagascar’s central-eastern Strict Nature Reserve

Despite a long history of biological explorations, Madagascar still hosts high levels of undescribed diversity, which occurs both in poorly studied and in well-known areas. Betampona Strict Nature Reserve (SNR) represents an exemplary case in this regard. Comprising less than 30 km2, the reserve is renowned for hosting incredibly high amphibian diversity. Previous surveys revealed the occurrence of 76 lineages, of which 36 were classified as candidate species and 24 were considered microendemic to this forest fragment. Following additional field surveys and the use of molecular taxonomic species identification, the list of amphibian lineages for the reserve was expanded by 14, while three lineages were removed as a result of improved species identification. As such, 87 lineages (corresponding to species and candidate species) of amphibians are currently known from this protected area. The number of microendemic lineages has decreased to 17, as nine lineages previously thought to be exclusive to Betampona SNR have since been identified in other areas of Madagascar. At present, 30 of the 87 lineages are awaiting taxonomic revision or formal description, 13 of which are so far known only from this reserve. This study illustrates how the characterization of the extremely rich biodiversity of Madagascar is far from complete, and how important it is to continue performing dedicated surveys even in well-known areas.