Environmental Assessment
Volume C-4.2
Slurry Pipeline
Fauna
Ambatovy Project
93
January 2006
4.2.3.3 Results
Amphibians and Reptiles
Fifty-four amphibian species and 35 reptile species were recorded during the
herpetological surveys in selected locations along the proposed pipeline route.
Of these, only one species is not endemic. The number of observed amphibian
species is greater than that reported for Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
(Amphibians: 36; Parcs Nationaux Madagascar 2000).
Three herptile species observed along the pipeline route study area are listed on
the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and 15
species are listed by Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) (Volume J, Appendix 2.2, Table 3).
Species richness for both amphibian (54) and reptile (32) species was greatest in
the corridor zone. Of the 89 total species recorded in the study area, only three
species were found within both study areas possibly due to the limited sampling
effort in the tavy zone. All but one species
Ptychadena mascareniensis
recorded
was endemic. This species occurred in both zones and was the only amphibian
species documented in the tavy zone. No IUCN-listed species were found within
the tavy zone.
Species were summarized by the areas (corridor, tavy) and habitats in which they
were observed (Volume J, Appendix 2.1). Unique species, i.e., species only
observed in one area or habitat, were also identified. The summary of unique
species is provided in Volume J, Appendix 2.2. Species accumulation curves
were calculated for the LSA and by habitat and indicate that sampling effort for
amphibians was good for the primary and eucalyptus forest habitats, but not for
the marsh and other habitat categories. For reptiles, sampling effort was
inadequate to estimate true species richness by habitat. However, the species
accumulation curve for all herptiles combined for all habitats suggests that few
species were undetected in the LSA overall.
Birds
Ninety-three bird species were recorded during the surveys in selected locations
along the proposed pipeline route. Of these, 77 are endemic and two,
Acridotheres tristis
and
Numida meleagris
, are exotic. Observed species richness
is lower than in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park (112; Parcs Nationaux
Madagascar 2000).
