Travels to Isalo
Molly is proceeding to the Isalo area today to sample potential probiotics from Mantella expectata, Scaphiophyrne gottlebei, as well as other species. This species is very rare and will definitely need protection if Bd arrives in this area. Isalo is in the southern part of Madagascar and differs from the rainforest habitats of Andasibe and Ranomafana that we have sampled so far. It is generally drier and characterized by oases where frogs congregate during the wet season.
Meanwhile, the JMU crew is continuing to isolate and test bacterial isolates collected from Malagasy frogs during the August and September trip for effective anti-Bd probiotics.
Working to save the frogs!