GOLDEN FROG

Mantella aurantiaca

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IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered (CR)

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GOLDEN FROG

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Mantella aurantiaca

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Description

Source and Additional Information
ARKive external link
 
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Some rights reserved

The golden frog is a small poisonous frog which is bright yellow, orange or red with some red colouration on the upper surface of the hind legs (3). It is a member of the Madagascan genus Mantella, the members of which have evolved to be very similar in appearance and behaviour to the very distantly related poison arrow frogs of South America (family Dendrobatidae) (3). In this species, the eyes are typically black, although there may occasionally be golden pigmentation in the upper portion of the iris (3). The legs are short, and the tips of the fingers and toes bear distinct adhesive pads (4). Males are typically smaller than females and have a more angular body shape. The bellies of males are generally lighter in colour than those of females. Two pale-coloured ducts that carry sperm and urine are often visible passing along the belly (4). Males do not call as often as other species of mantella frogs (4); the call is composed of a series of short notes, each of which includes three short clicks (3). The tadpoles of this species do not have external gills, and the eyes are located on the top of the head. Young froglets are olive green in colour with dark marks on the back and the hind limbs feature dark bands (3).

Source and Additional Information
AmphibiaWeb external link
 
Frank Glaw, Miguel Vences

20-26 mm, males smaller than females. Uniformly yellow, orange or red coloured, with the exception of red areas on the ventral surface of hind legs. Eyes generally black, sometimes a few golden pigments in the upper half of the iris. Tympanum distinct, about 2/5 of eye diameter. Tibiotarsal articulation reaches the tympanum. [97]

Similar species: Colouration of adults is unique, but some M. crocea can be similar.