9,573
edits
Changes
→Fauna
=== Birds ===
Until 2008, 102 species of birds have been were identified in Masoala, of which over 60% are endemic to Madagascar. Different inventories led to the rediscovery of the ''Eutriorchis astur'' ([[Madagascar Serpent Eagle]]) in 1993. The Madagascar Serpent Eagle is considered the rarest bird of prey in the world and Masoala is currently the only place where this species has been observed on several occasions.
Masoala is also the home of the ''Tyto soumagnei'' ([[Madagascar red owl]]), which was first discovered in the forest of the Ambanizana region on the Masoala peninsula. The Madagascar red owl is one of the rarest birds in Madagascar and one of the most endangered species of owls in the world.
Fourteen bird species are considered vulnerable and threatened in Masoala:
=== Lemurs ===
Ten species of lemurs have been were identified in the Masoala National Park:
* Two diurnal (day active) species
* Eight nocturnal (night active) species
The species ''Varecia variegata'' can be found on Nosy Mangabe and the endemic subspecies ''Varecia rubra'' on the Masoala peninsula.<br><br>
Four of the lemur species found on Masoala are recorded as endangered in on the Red List of the [http://www.iucn.org International Union for Conservation of Nature]:<br><br>
<table width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" border="0">
=== Carnivores ===
Seven species of the Viverridae familiy were identified in Masoala. They are all endemic to Madagascar, except the ''Viverricula indica'' (''[[Small Indian civet'']]).
Since the 1970s, Masoala is the only place where the ''Salanoia concolorb'' ([[Brown-tailed mongoose]]) was sighted. This species is the least known of Madagascar's carnivores. The already rare two carnivores ''Cryptoprocta ferox'' ([[Fossa]]) and ''Eupleres goudotii'' ([[Falanouc]]) suffer under the high predation pressure of the primary forest by the local population.<br><br>
=== Rodents ===
The forests of Masoala are also rich or even richer in rodents than other forests of the eastern slopes of Madagascar. Nine rodent species have been were inventoried so far in the Masoala National Park.
The introduced and invasive species ''Rattus rattus'' ([[Black Rat]]) was currently found in three locations: Andranobe, Ambohitsitondroina and Ambery. ''Nesomys audeberti'' ([[White-bellied nesomys]]) is known only to Masoala where this species is relatively common yet.<br><br>
=== Insectivores ===
=== Bats ===
14 species of bats have been were identified on the peninsula.
A special study on the eating habits of the ''Pteropus rufus'' ([[Madagascan flying fox]]) showed the importance of this animal in pollination and therefore the dispersal of seeds and plants.<br><br>
=== Reptiles and Amphibians ===
The few inventories carried out in this area have identified 60 species of reptiles and 44 species of amphibians. Whilst for For Nosy Mangabe 30 species of reptiles and 22 species of amphibians were listed.
As in many other locations in Madagascar, there are many reptiles and amphibians on Masoala which have not even be rated been identified or documented yet.
An overview of the reptiles and amphibians of Masoala:
* ''Zonosaurus rufipes'' - [[Red-footed zonosaur]]<br><br>
4 species of turtles have been were identified in Masoala. These species are considered vulnerable and their number has numbers have declined significantly in the world.
Turtles of Masoala:
Insects were carefully studied on the peninsula. For example, throughout inventories 135 species of butterflies were identified, of which 84 are endemic to Madagascar. Four butterfly species were newly discovered.
213 ant species were collected just in the western part of Masoala. Due to the current studies by other teams, that list might even be even extended. Masoala might be the ant -richest site in the world. !
In addition there are also:
* 140 ichneumon species, for example such as wasps
* 97 species of beetles
* 32 species of tiger beetles<br><br>
=== Corals<!--, Shellfish, Arthropods and Echinoderms (phylum of marine animals)--> ===
41 coral genera have been were identified in Masoala. There is a relatively large difference between the reefs on the Indian Ocean side and the reefs on the Antongil Bay side. The reefs in the east and particular particularly those around the bays of [[Ngontsy]] and [[Ambodilaitry]] are the richest and the most developed. The less least wealthy one reef is on the side of the Antongil Bay around [[Tampolo]].
Another study in the three marine sections of Tanjona, Masoala and Tampolo as well as at Cap Est showed the presence of 114 coral species and 104 mollusc species.
The most dominant genus of coral is Acropora, which reflects a good reef condition as members of this group are very fragile and sensitive to degradation.
For the moment these inventories were made in shallow waters, so a further inventory in the outer reefs will reveal the true wealth of biodiversity of the coastal waters of around the Masoala peninsula.<br><br>
== The best fauna most visible to tourists ==
