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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
Animalia	Chordata	Amphibia	Anura	Mantellidae

Scientific Name:	Spinomantis elegans (Guibé, 1974)
Common Name(s): English – Elegant Madagascar Frog
Synonym(s):	Mantidactylus elegans (Guibé, 1974) Rhacophorus elegans Guibé, 1974
Taxonomic Source(s):	Frost, D.R. 2015. Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. New York, USA. Available at: http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.html.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Near Threatened ver 3.1
Year Published:	2016
Date Assessed:	2015-11-27
Assessor(s):	IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group
Reviewer(s):	Stuart, S.N.
Contributor(s):	Raxworthy, C.J., Glaw, F., Cadle, J. & Scherz, D.
Facilitator/Compiler(s):	Hobin, L.
Justification: Listed as Near Threatened because its extent of occurrence is 22,708 km2 and there is ongoing declines in the extent and quality of habitat, which makes this species close to qualifying for Vulnerable under criteria B.
Previously published Red List assessments:	2008 – Vulnerable (VU) Download assessment 2004 – Vulnerable (VU) Download assessment

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species occurs from Ranomafana (Maharira) south to Andohahela, between 1,350-2,500 m asl, in eastern Madagascar. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 22,708 km2.
Countries occurrence:	Native: Madagascar
Additional data:	♦ Lower elevation limit (metres): 1350 ♦ Upper elevation limit (metres): 2500
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	It is a rare species and, due to ongoing declines in the extent and quality of habitat, the population is suspected to be decreasing.
Current Population Trend:	Decreasing
Additional data:	♦ Population severely fragmented: No

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It is associated with rocky outcrops, both in forested zones and above the tree line. It breeds in streams and its very large tadpoles spend at least a year there before metamorphosis.
Systems:	Terrestrial; Freshwater
Continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of habitat:	Yes
Movement patterns:	Not a Migrant

Use and Trade [top]

Use and Trade:

There are no records of this species being utilized.

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):

The population occurring in forests is likely to be impacted by fires, livestock grazing (affecting water quality), and water pollution. Whereas the part of the population occuring in remote rocky areas should be under less pressure.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions It occurs in Ranomafana, Andringitra, and Andohahela National Parks, and probably Midongy-du-Sud National Park. Conservation Needed Improved protection and management of forests throughout the region is required, including within the boundaries of protected areas. Research NeededFurther research is required to clarify the species' distribution, population size and trends, and is essential to fully understand the distribution, origin, type and virulence of Bd lineages found in Madagascar (Bletz et al. 2015).