Description

Similar to M. aglavei, but smaller and with less developed dermal flaps and spines. Other characters see next sections.

Holotype: Adult male, ZFMK 57441, from Andasibe, CE-Madagascar. SVL 39 mm, head width 14 mm; eye diameter 4.5 mm, tympanum rather indistinct, horizontal diameter of tympanum 1.7 mm; distance eye-nostril 3.7 mm, distance nostril-tip of snout 3.3 mm; hand length 13 mm, length of foot and tarsus 29 mm. Tibiotarsal articulation reaches nostril. Tips of fingers and toes distinctly enlarged. The tibia is clearly longer than the foot. The lateral metatarsalia are separated. Inner and outer metatarsal tubercle are present. Large semicircular femoral glands are present (8x3 mm, distance between each other 2.5 mm). Vomerine teeth are present.
Hand without web; webbing of the foot 1(1), 2i(1.75), 2e(0.75), 3i(2), 3e(1), 4i/e(2), 5(1).Skin on the back granular. Tubercles are present on the back, on the head, and on the eyes. On the posterior edge of foot and tarsus 9-11 rather large, spine-like dermal tubercles can be recognized. 3-5 such tubercles are present on the lower arm. Slightly distinct tubercles on the heels. Two deep and distinct longitudinal furrows (about 3 mm long) are present between the eyes.
Colour in life mossy green on the back, with rather irregular light and dark s^pots and larger markings. Dark brown patches are present in the inguinal region, and a median sandglass-shaped light marking is extended over the whole back. Hindlegs with brown crossbands. Underside uniformly whitish. In preservative the green colour has completely disappeared.

Similar species: Mantidactylus aglavei is larger and has more strongly developed dermal spines; also a longer and more depressed snout.

Taken with permission from Glaw and Vences (2007).