Mantellidae

family of amphibians

Mantellidae is a family of the order Anura. These frogs are found only in Madagascar and Mayotte.[1][2]

Mantellidae
Mantella aurantiaca
Scientific classification
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Mantellidae

Laurent, 1946
Subfamilies

Boophinae
Laliostominae
Mantellinae

Distribution of Mantellidae (in black)

These frogs are very different from each other. Most species live on land, though some live in trees. Body size ranges from 3 to 10 centimetres in length. The genus Mantella has many similarities with the South American poison dart frogs. They are small, aposematically coloured, and secrete alkaloid toxins.

Some members of this group are kept as pets due to their bright colors.

References change

  1. Frost, Darrel R. (2013). "Mantellidae Laurent, 1946". Amphibian Species of the World 5.6, an Online Reference. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
  2. Glaw, Frank; Vences, Miguel (2007). A Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar (3rd ed.). Cologne, Germany: Vences & Glaw Verlags. ISBN 978-3929449037.