Abstract: The native Madagascan fish fauna, and mostparticularly
the endemic freshwater community, has undergone
severe attrition throughout the surveyed area The decline of
the native fauna is strongly cowelated with two primary
factors: the presence of exotic s-ecies, which are now widespre&
and habitat degradation resulting from extensive
forest clearance. In an attempt to document ichthyofaunal
changes through time, we compare our collections with historical
distribution records (based on museum collections
and literature records) from the same areas.
The results of
this study reveal a pressing need to consider the islands
ichtbyofauna, watersheds, and river drainages if design of
natural areas and parks is to be effective.
