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The degree of dietary flexibility in primates is species specific; some incorporate a wider array of resources than others. Extreme interannual weather variability in Madagascar results in seasonal resource scarcity which has been linked to specialized behaviors in lemurs. Prolemur simus, for example, has been considered an obligate specialist on large culm bamboo with >60% of its diet composed of woody bamboos requiring morphological and physiological adaptations to process. Recent studies reported an ever‐expanding list of dietary items, suggesting that this species may not be an obligate specialist. However, long‐term quantitative feeding data are unavailable across this species' range. To explore the dietary flexibility of P. simus, we collected data at two northern sites, Ambalafary and Sahavola, and one southern site, Vatovavy, from September 2010 to January 2016 and May 2017 to September 2018, respectively. In total, we recorded 4022 h of behavioral data using instantaneous sampling of adult males and females from one group in Ambalafary, and two groups each in Sahavola and Vatovavy. We recorded 45 plant species eaten by P. simus over 7 years. We also observed significant differences in seasonal dietary composition between study sites. In Ambalafary, bamboo was the most frequently observed resource consumed (92.2%); however, non‐bamboo resources comprised nearly one‐third of the diet of P. simus in Sahavola and over 60% in Vatovavy. Consumption of all bamboo resources increased during the dry season at Ambalafary and during the wet season at Vatovavy, but never exceeded non‐bamboo feeding at the latter. Culm pith feeding was only observed at Ambalafary, where it was more common during the dry season. We identify P. simus as a bamboo facultative specialist capable of adjusting its feeding behavior to its environment, indicating greater dietary flexibility than previously documented, which may enable the species to survive in increasingly degraded habitats. Research highlights: Traditionally, Prolemur simus are considered obligate dietary specialists, with large‐culmed bamboo species their critical resource, particularly culm pith during the dry season. However, our study found that large‐culmed bamboo consumption varied between sites and culm pith was not even consumed at two of the three sites. Our findings, in conjunction with previous research on the species, indicate that P. simus are better identified as facultative specialists on bamboo rather than obligate specialists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ankarafantsika National Park (ANP), the last significant remnant of Northwestern Madagascar's tropical dry forests, is facing rapid degradation due to increased incidences of fire. This poses severe threats to biodiversity, local livelihoods, and vital ecosystem services. Our study, conducted on 3,052-ha of ANP's pristine forests, employed advanced remote-sensing techniques to assess fire impacts during the past 37 years. Our aims were to understand historical fire patterns and evaluate forest recovery and susceptibility to repeated fires following initial burns. Using data from multiple Landsat satellite sensors, we constructed a time series of fire events since 1985, which revealed no fire activity before 2014. The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) lidar sensor data were used to observe forest structure in both post-fire areas and undisturbed zones for comparison. We recorded six fire incidents from 2014–2021, during which the fire-affected area exponentially grew. A significant fire incident in October 2021 impacted 1,052 hectares, 59% of which had experienced at least one fire in two-to-four years prior, with 60% experiencing two preceding incidents: one in 2017 and another in 2019. The initial fire drastically reduced plant cover and tree height, with subsequent fires causing minor additional loss. Post-fire recovery was negligible within the initial four years, even in patches without recurrent fires. The likelihood for an initial burn to trigger subsequent fires within a few years was high, leading to larger, more severe fires. We conclude that ANP's dry forests exhibit high vulnerability and low resilience to anthropogenic fires. Prompt preventive measures are essential to halt further fire spread and conserve the park's unique and invaluable biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal abundance is determined by a number of factors, including vegetation structure, food availability and quality, human activities, predation risk, and disease. Vegetation structure, food availability, and human activity often are used to guide conservation efforts, such as protected area zoning and reforestation, especially for primates. We sought to determine whether Critically Endangered golden-crowned sifaka (Propithecus tattersalli) densities could be predicted across a heterogeneous landscape as a function of vegetation structure, food availability, and human activity. We conducted walking transect surveys across the sifakas' entire global range in Loky-Manambato Protected Area of Madagascar from 2016–2018, expanding upon a study conducted in 2006/2008. Potential predictors of sifaka density included metrics of vegetation structure (e.g., tree density, forest type), food availability (e.g., food tree basal area, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)), and human activity (e.g., tree cutting, livestock grazing). Low-intensity tree cutting and wet season NDVI were the best, positive predictors of sifaka densities. Sifaka densities within study units across their restricted range (880 km2) were highly variable (range: 6.8–78.1 sifakas/km2), emphasizing the importance of large-scale study designs across all suitable land cover types for assessing a species' abundance, regardless of its area of occupancy. We estimated that 10,222–12,631 sifakas remain. Based on previous surveys, this indicates that populations either remained stable over the past 20 years or have declined by 30–43% in the past 10 years; we argue that a decline is most likely based on our updating of forest cover estimates for both of the prior studies. We also found that wet season NDVI is a positive predictor of sifaka densities, which will aid managers in prioritizing conservation actions in this region using widely available remotely sensed data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of techniques for the rapid, inexpensive, and accurate determination of the phosphorus (P) availability and sorption index (PSI) in soils is important for P management in highly weathered tropical soils. The applicability of near- and mid-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIR and MIR) as tools for estimating P availability and PSI was assessed over a wide range of highly weathered soils in Madagascar. The predictions were based on chemometric methods using multivariate calibration models with partial least squares (PLS) regressions, and pedotransfer functions (PTFs). Chemometric methods failed to predict available P (Presin). However, a P sorption index, determined as the P remaining in solution (Prem), was estimated with acceptable accuracy with both NIR and MIR (R2cv = 0.70 − 0.73; R2v = 0.65 − 0.77; SEP(c) = 5.5 − 4.6 mg kg−1). The PTFs showed that the PSI was well explained by iron oxide, gibbsite, and sand contents, all of these compounds being well predicted by NIR or MIR (R2v > 0.70). These results indicate that NIR and MIR can be helpful for a rapid estimate of PSI of highly weathered ferralitic soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat fragmentation is one of the major types of anthropogenic change, though fragmented landscapes predate human intervention. At present, the Central Highlands of Madagascar are covered by extensive grasslands interspersed with small discrete forest patches of unknown antiquity. Ankafobe, an actively protected site, comprises two such fragments of 12 and 30 ha, respectively, known to harbor three lemur species and other endemic wildlife. At this location, we conducted a survey of resident Goodman's mouse lemurs, Microcebus lehilahytsara, to determine baseline behavioral and ecological conditions for this isolated population. By studying primates in forest fragments, investigators can characterize the effects of shrinking habitats and decreasing connectivity on species diversity and survival, thus providing a glimpse into the potential resilience of species in the face of anthropogenic disturbance. Investigating the behavioral ecology of Goodman's mouse lemurs across their geographic range could help us understand their metabolic and ecological flexibility and predict species long-term survival prospects. We conducted night transect walks, using capture techniques and telemetry, to track eight radio-collared individuals. Preliminary density estimates based on a limited number of sightings (n = 18) were 2.19 ind/ha, and home range assessments ranged between 0.22 and 3.67 ha. Mouse lemurs traveled an average of 425 m nightly during the 5-h tracking periods and primarily fed on fruits of the mistletoe Bakerella clavata. The finding that Goodman's mouse lemurs apparently thrive in the seasonally cold and arid forest fragments in the Central Highlands indicates that they may be among the most tolerant and adaptable lemur species in Madagascar. These results point towards an exciting research program that focuses on ecological tolerance as a mechanism for long-term species survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habituation is a preliminary process, allowing observers to become more familiar with animals and record their behavior. Few studies have described the habituation process for non-human primate species and there is a dearth of information on the habituation process among lemurs. This study describes the habituation of the Critically Endangered greater bamboo lemur (Prolemur simus). We used continuous focal animal sampling (384 hours) to collect behavioral data on seven individuals from two groups in the Vatovavy forest, southeastern Madagascar. We categorized our behavior data into two response types: habituated behaviors and non-habituated behaviors. Study animals were considered habituated when they showed an increased tolerance to human observers permitting focal animal data collection with minimal non-habituated responses. There were no significant differences among individuals for both habituated and non-habituated behaviors, therefore, all data were pooled together. Distance from observer and height of animals in the forest significantly decreased during the habituation process. By the end of the study, the frequency of habituated behaviors significantly increased. In conjunction with previously reported findings for this species, this study concludes that greater bamboo lemurs can be habituated in approximately 13-16 weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geographic distribution of a species can provide insights into its population size, ecology, evolution, and how it responded to past (and may respond to future) environmental change. Improving our knowledge of the distribution of threatened species thus is a high priority in assessing their conservation status. However, there are few data available for many recently described yet understudied and potentially threatened primate taxa, making their conservation difficult. Here, we investigated the distribution of the Montagne d'Ambre fork-marked lemur, Phaner electromontis , a threatened nocturnal primate endemic to northern Madagascar and classified as Endangered by the IUCN. Because fork-marked lemurs are highly vocal, we used acoustic surveys to assess the species' presence-absence and relative population density within 66 distinct forest survey sites in northern Madagascar. Further, we compared data among five forest types within the study area and investigated the relationship between relative population density and climate variables. We report the presence of P. electromontis in 22 study sites; several of these populations were unknown previously. Although we found P. electromontis most frequently in dry-transitional forests, our results suggest that geography (spatial autocorrelation) rather than environmental variables explains the species' distribution. We hypothesize that environmental unpredictability and gummivory, combined with the presence of several distinct Phaner species in the studied area, could explain the observed distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several tests are available for plague confirmation but bacteriological culture with Yersinia pestis strain isolation remains the gold standard according to the World Health Organization. However, this is a time consuming procedure; requiring specific devices and well-qualified staff. In addition, strain isolation is challenging if antibiotics have been administered prior to sampling. Here, we developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique, a rapid, simple, sensitive and specific technique that would be able to detect Y. pestis in human biological samples. Methods: LAMP primers were designed to target the caf1 gene which is specific to Y. pestis. The detection limit was determined by testing 10-fold serial dilution of Y. pestis DNA. Cross-reactivity was tested using DNA extracts from 14 pathogens and 47 residual samples from patients suffering from non-plague diseases. Specificity and sensitivity of the LAMP caf1 were assessed on DNA extracts of 160 human biological samples. Then, the performance of the LAMP caf1 assay was compared to conventional PCR and bacteriological culture. Results: The detection limit of the developed Y. pestis LAMP assay was 3.79 pg/μl, similar to conventional PCR. The result could be read out within 45 min and as early as 35 minutes in presence of loop primer, using a simple water bath at 63°C. This is superior to culture with respect to time (requires up to 10 days) and simplicity of equipment compared to PCR. Furthermore, no cross-reactivity was found when tested on DNA extracts from other pathogens and human biological samples from patients with non-plague diseases. Compared to the gold standard, LAMP sensitivity and specificity were 97.9% (95% CI: 89.1%-99.9%) and 94.6% (95% CI: 88.6%-97.9%), respectively. Conclusion: LAMP detected Y. pestis effectively with high sensitivity and specificity in human plague biological samples. It can potentially be used in the field during outbreaks in resource limited countries such as Madagascar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising global mean temperatures open opportunities in high‐altitude production systems for temperature‐sensitive crops such as lowland rice. Currently, the cropping window for rice in higher altitudes is still narrow, and thus, genotypes that tolerate a certain degree of chilling are needed to achieve their potential yield. Final yield depends on the interaction between genotype and environmental conditions. Exposing the genotype to a wide range of environments is a way to evaluate its adaptability into an expanding cropping calendar. Over a 2‐year period, an experiment was conducted in lowland rice systems in Madagascar at two locations differing in altitude. Twenty genotypes with contrasting levels of tolerance to low temperature were sown monthly in a non‐replicated rice garden trial. Plant development was monitored and yield and yield components were determined. Yield stability across the different growing environments was investigated. While crop duration was affected by sowing dates and altitude, yield was mainly determined by sowing date. Panicle number per m2 and number of spikelets per panicle were the most limiting factors for yield potential in mid‐altitude, while in high altitude, yield was mainly limited by spikelet fertility. Resulting cropping calendar and genotype recommendations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing demand for land to ensure human food security in the future has already impelled agricultural production into marginal areas. The environmental conditions found there have a more pronounced impact on agricultural productivity than in the systems used so far under favourable conditions. In addition to this challenge, climate change is expected to increase the unreliability of weather conditions (through increased variability and occurrence of extremes) for farmers considerably. This unreliability is even more serious in developing countries' farming system where food security is vulnerable. Current efforts in digitalization offer great possibilities to improve farmers' decision‐making processes. A wide range of online tools and smartphone applications is available to support both agricultural extension services and smallholder farmers alike. These apps are often parameterized and validated to certain environments and are troubled when applied to new geographical locations and different environmental conditions. We have conducted field trials to demonstrate potential methods to close knowledge gaps in the data background for one of these apps, RiceAdvice, concerning three key aspects: shifting of cropping calendar, adjustment of fertilizer management and genotype selection. Sites in Ethiopia, Madagascar and Rwanda were selected to represent altitudinal gradients, with overlapping elevations reflecting differences in temperature to enable cross‐country comparisons. Planting dates were distributed throughout three calendar years, with continuous iterative planting dates taking place in Madagascar, in‐ and off‐season planting dates in Rwanda with different fertilizer applications, and one planting date during each rainy season in Ethiopia with different management options. With these trials, we have been able to identify key data sets needed for the adaptation of agricultural decision support tools to new environments. These include the assessment of climatic constraints on innovations to cropping calendars (e.g. double cropping), informed selection of alternative varieties able to complete crucial parts of their phenological development to avoid temperature‐related stress inducing, for example spikelet sterility in rice in late development stages and the effectivity of potential innovations in fertilizer management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Market isolation and climate stress negatively influence social adaptive capacity. • Higher level of education positively influence social adaptive capacity. • 80 % of communities are experiencing social-ecological states that could lead to traps. Climate change is expected to reinforce undesirable social and ecological feedbacks between ecosystem degradation and poverty. This is particularly true for resource-dependent communities in the developing world such as coral reef fishing communities who will have to adapt to those new environmental conditions and novel ecosystems. It is therefore crucial to identify: i) multiscale characteristics that can influence social adaptive capacity of local communities to climate change, and ii) current and future social-ecological conditions related to climate change that might lead communities to experience unsustainable and undesirable states (i.e., "social-ecological traps"). Here, we investigated social adaptive capacity and the relationship to ecological conditions in 29 small-scale fishing communities in Madagascar and Kenya in the Western Indian Ocean. We found that isolation from a market and climate stress had a significant negative relationship with social adaptive capacity, while a higher level of education and the presence of market traders (middlemen) had a positive relationship. In general, resource management through marine protected areas and locally managed marine areas had a positive influence on ecological conditions. Combining social adaptive capacity and ecological conditions revealed that 80 % of fishers households surveyed were experiencing social-ecological states that could lead to unsustainable social-ecological conditions, while 10 % might already be experiencing social-ecological traps. Our findings reveal specific mechanisms by which conservation and development activities can increase social adaptive capacity in coastal communities, including but not limited to: increasing market access and education, and mitigating future climate exposure and unsustainable fishing through improved marine conservation and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) was introduced in Madagascar in 2012. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of PCV10 on bacterial meningitis in hospitalized children <5 years of age. Methods During 2010–2017, data from the hospital admission logbook were recorded for bacterial meningitis and pneumonia hospitalizations in children <5 years of age. Between April 2011 and December 2017, 3312 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples collected from children who fulfilled the World Health Organization case definition of suspected bacterial meningitis were analyzed at the sentinel site laboratory (SSL) by microscopy, culture, and antigen detection tests. A total of 2065 CSF samples were referred to the regional reference laboratory for real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. 2010–2011 was defined as the prevaccine period, 2012 as vaccine introduction year, and 2013–2017 the postvaccine period. The number of cases, causative agent, and pneumonia hospitalizations were compared before and after PCV10 introduction. Results In the prevaccine period, bacterial meningitis and pneumonia hospitalizations accounted for 4.5% and 24.5% of all hospitalizations while there were 2.6% and 19%, respectively, in the postvaccine period (P <.001). In samples tested at the SSL, 154 were positive with 80% Streptococcus pneumoniae and 20% other bacteria. Pneumococcal meningitis diagnosed by RT-PCR declined from 14% in 2012 to 3% in 2017. Also, 14% of children with pneumococcal meningitis died. Conclusions Following PCV10 introduction, pneumococcal meningitis, bacterial meningitis, and pneumonia hospitalizations declined. Surveillance should continue to monitor the impact of PCV10. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: Short rotations of Eucalyptus plantations under coppice regime are extensively managed for wood production in Madagascar. Nevertheless, little is known about their biomass production and partitioning and their potential in terms of carbon sequestration. If above-ground biomass (AGB) can be estimated based on established allometric relations, below-ground (BGB) estimates are much less common. The aim of this work was to develop allometric equations to estimate biomass of these plantations, mainly for the root components. Data from 9 Eucalyptus robusta stands (47–87 years of plantation age, 3–5 years of coppice-shoot age) were collected and analyzed. Biomass of 3 sampled trees per stand was determined destructively. Dry weight of AGB components (leaves, branches and stems) were estimated as a function of basal area of all shoots per stump and dry weight for BGB components (mainly stump, coarse root (CR) and medium root (MR)) were estimated as a function of stump circumference. Biomass was then computed using allometric equations from stand inventory data. Stand biomass ranged from 102 to 130 Mg ha−1 with more than 77% contained in the BGB components. The highest dry weight was allocated in the stump and in the CR (51% and 42% respectively) for BGB parts and in the stem (69%) for AGB part. Allometric relationships developed herein could be applied to other Eucalyptus plantations which present similar stand density and growing conditions; anyhow, more is needed to be investigated in understanding biomass production and partitioning over time for this kind of forest ecosystem. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In a Schistosoma haematobium-endemic village in western Madagascar we evaluated ultrasonography and Eosinophil Cationic Protein (ECP) in urine as means to detect the associated urinary tract pathology. 192 individuals were matched according to age and sex, and grouped into infected persons with bladder and, if present, kidney pathology (n = 96); infected persons without pathology (n = 48) and noninfected persons without pathology (n = 48). The median urinary egg count was significantly higher in individuals with ultrasonographically detectable urinary tract pathology (115 eggs/10 ml urine) than in infected persons without (45 eggs/10 ml of urine). At 136 ng/ml, the median ECP level was significantly higher in the 144 infected individuals than in the 48 noninfected persons (0.35 ng/ml). Egg excretion correlated positively with ECP level. The median ECP level was significantly higher in the group with ultrasonographically detectable urinary tract pathology than in the group without (183 ng/ml vs. 67 ng/ml). The results suggest that minor degrees of pathology, particularly at an early stage of infection with S. haematobium, might be overlooked by ultrasonography despite the presence of marked inflammation, as indicated by markedly increased urinary ECP levels in infected individuals without ultrasonographically detectable urinary tract pathology. ECP may therefore provide important information on the evolution of S. haematobium-associated urinary tract morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following publication of the original article [[1]], the authors expressed their wish to provide a French version of the article. A stakeholder workshop about modelled maps of key malaria indicator survey indicators in Madagascar. [Extracted from the article]

Tropical forests harbor extremely high levels of biological diversity and are quickly disappearing. Despite the increasingly recognized high rate of habitat loss, it is expected that new species will be discovered as more effort is put to document tropical biodiversity. Exploring under‐studied regions is particularly urgent if we consider the rapid changes in habitat due to anthropogenic activities. Madagascar is known for its extraordinary biological diversity and endemicity. It is also threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation. It holds more than 100 endemic primate species (lemurs). Among these, Microcebus (mouse lemurs) is one of the more diverse genera. We sampled mouse lemurs from several sites across northern Madagascar, including forests never sampled before. We obtained morphological data from 99 Microcebus individuals; we extracted DNA from tissue samples of 42 individuals and amplified two mitochondrial loci (cytb and cox2) commonly used for species identification. Our findings update the distribution of three species (Microcebus tavaratra, Microcebus arnholdi, and Microcebus mamiratra), including a major increase in the distribution area of M. arnholdi. We also report the discovery of a new Microcebus lineage genetically related to M. arnholdi. Several complementary approaches suggest that the newly identified Microcebus lineage might correspond to a new putative species, to be confirmed or rejected with additional data. In addition, morphological analyses showed (a) clear phenotypic differences between M. tavaratra and M. arnholdi, but no clear differences between the new Microcebus lineage and the sister species M. arnholdi; and (b) a significant correlation between climatic variables and morphology, suggesting a possible relationship between species identity, morphology, and environment. By integrating morphological, climatic, genetic, and spatial data of two northern Microcebus species, we show that the spatial distribution of forest‐dwelling species may be used as a proxy to reconstruct the past spatial changes in forest cover and vegetation type. Research Highlights: Extend the known distribution of three endangered mouse lemurs speciesReport the discovery of a new putative mouse lemur speciesReport a new rare case of co‐occurrence between two mouse lemur speciesIdentify a simple morphological trait that discriminates between two mouse lemur speciesExtend our understanding of past humid forest cover and connectivity in northern Madagascar [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program has supported three household Malaria Indicator Surveys (MIS) in Madagascar. The results of 13 key malaria indicators from these surveys have been mapped as continuous surfaces using model-based geostatistical methods. The opportunities and limitations of these mapped outputs were discussed during a workshop in Antananarivo, Madagascar in July 2018, attended by 15 representatives from various implementation, policy and research stakeholder institutions in Madagascar. Participants evaluated the findings from the maps, using these to develop figures and narratives to support their work in the control of malaria in Madagascar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Clarify tuft-tailed rat (Eliurus spp.) phylogeny using nuclear genome-wide data. • Report the discovery of a new putative tuft-tailed rat species. • Frequent occurrence of the dry E. myoxinus in humid forests of northern Madagascar. • Frequent cases of Eliurus species co-occurrence. • Insights on past humid forest cover and connectivity in northern Madagascar. Madagascar exhibits extraordinarily high level of species richness and endemism, while being severely threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation (HL&F). In front of these threats to biodiversity, conservation effort can be directed, for instance, in the documentation of species that are still unknown to science, or in investigating how species respond to HL&F. The tufted-tail rats genus (Eliurus spp.) is the most speciose genus of endemic rodents in Madagascar, with 13 described species, which occupy two major habitat types: dry or humid forests. The large species diversity and association to specific habitat types make the Eliurus genus a suitable model for investigating species adaptation to new environments, as well as response to HL&F (dry vs humid). In the present study, we investigated Eliurus spp. genomic diversity across northern Madagascar, a region covered by both dry and humid fragmented forests. From the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear genomic (RAD-seq) data of 124 Eliurus individuals sampled in poorly studied forests of northern Madagascar, we identified an undescribed Eliurus taxon (Eliurus sp. nova). We tested the hypothesis of a new Eliurus species using several approaches: i) DNA barcoding; ii) phylogenetic inferences; iii) species delimitation tests based on the Multi-Species Coalescent (MSC) model, iv) genealogical divergence index (gdi); v) an ad-hoc test of isolation-by-distance within versus between sister-taxa, vi) comparisons of %GC content patterns and vii) morphological analyses. All analyses support the recognition of the undescribed lineage as a putative distinct species. In addition, we show that Eliurus myoxinus , a species known from the dry forests of western Madagascar, is, surprisingly, found mostly in humid forests in northern Madagascar. In conclusion, we discuss the implications of such findings in the context of Eliurus species evolution and diversification, and use the distribution of northern Eliurus species as a proxy for reconstructing past changes in forest cover and vegetation type in northern Madagascar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the biodiversity hotspot of Madagascar, conservation actors increasingly point to "corruption" and "crime" to explain ongoing environmental degradation, and seek to involve local residents in "community-based" efforts to combat or circumvent these problems. In doing so, they often assume that local people share their understandings of "corruption" and "crime." This paper problematizes such assumptions, interrogating how definitions and accusations of "corruption" are formulated and used by varied actors to contest authority, legitimacy, and resource access. Drawing on evidence from over 250 interviews with NGO staff, local authorities, and community members across northern Madagascar, we find notable divergences in conceptualizations of "corruption." Conservation actors generally define "corruption" in conventional terms—as the abuse of public authority for private gain—but also conflate all violations of conservation rules with "corruption," and attribute local residents' engagement with "criminal" practices and "corrupt" exchanges to poverty and ignorance. Community members acknowledge dynamics of illicit state-commercial exploitation, but offer alternate assessments of "corruption," as well. Beyond implicating conservation actors themselves in "corrupt" processes, they critique uneven distributions of power and resources as "corrupt." Moreover, they characterize local transgressions of conservation rules as contestations of "corrupt" inequities and expressions of deep disagreement with associated restrictions and authority structures rather than "criminal" deviance. Our findings thus reveal how (re)interpretations of "corruption" are enrolled in broader struggles. They suggest a need to reconsider how local participation in conservation and anti-"corruption" efforts is sought and viewed, and to further grapple with persistent problematics of power haunting "community-based" conservation in places like Madagascar. • In Madagascar, conservationists blame "corruption" for environmental degradation. • Conservationists enroll local people in anti-"corruption" efforts assuming they have shared understandings of the term. • However, conservationists and community members conceptualize "corruption" in divergent ways. • Local people implicate conservation organizations in "corrupt" practices. • Community members critique inequalities in power and resources as "corruption". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time for development. Adaptation to this change combined with the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions can help to boost the economic transformation which stimulates growth, fills the energy gap and reduces poverty. This paper focuses on the potential of renewable energy sources (RES) for electricity generation in Madagascar which is a lower-income country. A large accessibility to electricity could be a driving force for the economic development of this fourth worldwide Island. The Electricity mix is currently heavily dependent to fossil fuel imports. Indeed, most of the electric demands are fulfilled by diesel power plants. An overview of the power situation and renewable energy potential of Madagascar is first presented, then different scenarios for the evolution its electricity mix are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perceptions of the benefits of fisheries management restrictions were evaluated in coastal Madagascar to identify restrictions that are likely to be self- and community enforced. The survey focused on 24 Malagasy fishing villages adjacent to coral reefs. Resource users' perceptions of the benefits of restrictions were generally high and widespread, but some less positive perceptions were found in three villages located near marine protected areas. Perceptions of the benefits of gear restrictions had widespread support; closed areas, seasons, and minimum sizes of fish were less common; and restrictions on species were supported infrequently. We therefore advocate a management implementation approach that uses these scales of perceived benefits and prioritizes support for the most widely accepted restrictions most broadly, with the less accepted restrictions matched to specific supportive locations. At the village level, socioeconomic and wealth variables were not clearly associated with perceived benefits, which we suggest results from a stronger influence of village history than socioeconomic conditions. At the individual fisher level, however, there was evidence that experienced people involved in decision-making, having livelihood alternatives, and having permanent housing had more opinions and frequently were more supportive of management restrictions. Incorporating this information into forums and management plans is expected to increase the rate of adoption and compliance with needed fisheries restrictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution patterns of RNA coliphages (phages) in Senegal, Ghana, and Madagascar were investigated by collecting sewage samples from domestic drainage in November, 1980. In Senegal, among 65 sewage samples collected mainly from Dakar and its vicinity, 14 (22%) contained RNA phages (16 strains). By serological analysis, 13 of 16 strains were found to belong to group III. This is consistent with the distribution pattern of RNA coliphages in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia. In Ghana, however, among 106 samples collected from Accra, Suhum, and their vicinities, only seven (7%) contained RNA phages (seven strains) (groups I, II, and III [1:3:3]). In Madagascar, among 124 samples collected from Antananarivo, Moramanga, and their vicinities, seven (6%) contained RNA phages (seven strains) (groups I, II, III, and IV [1:1:1:4]). In spite of the low isolation frequency, it can be said that Madagascar appears to have a unique distribution pattern (abundance of group IV phages) which differs from that of any other countries we have examined. The generality of the distribution pattern of RNA phages in the tropical region (abundance of group III phages) was thus verified at least in Senegal.