Andolalao Rakotoarison

Andolalao Rakotoarison, PhD, is a Malagasy researcher and lecturer at the University of Antananarivo's affiliate institution in Soavinandriana, Itasy, Madagascar. She holds a PhD in Animal Biology from the Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany, specializing in taxonomy revision of Malagasy microhylid frogs. Since 2018, she has been co-chair of the Amphibian Specialist Group Madagascar, coordinating a national and international research network. Her work focuses on resolving taxonomic gaps in Madagascar's amphibians, particularly cophyline frogs, to inform conservation strategies. She teaches courses on biodiversity management and environmental research methods.

Research Interests: Integrative taxonomy of amphibians/reptiles, conservation biology, molecular systematics, and biogeography of Madagascar's unique fauna. She emphasizes collaborative efforts to bridge taxonomic knowledge with conservation action.

Publications Highlight: Over 30 peer-reviewed articles on frog taxonomy, including descriptions of new species (e.g., Brookesia leaf chameleons, Platypelis frogs) and studies on elevational divergence patterns. Her work often combines genetic, morphological, and bioacoustic data for species delimitation.

Awards: None explicitly mentioned, though her contributions to Madagascar's conservation networks are significant.

Grants & Advising: No specific grants or advisees listed, but her role as co-chair implies leadership in collaborative projects. Active in training researchers through academic programs.

Labs/Teams: Central to the Amphibian Specialist Group Madagascar and affiliated with institutions like the Technical University of Braunschweig and SIT Study Abroad programs.