Mantella are an example of convergent evolution—the independent evolution of a similar trait with species of a different lineage—with the Latin American family Dendrobatidae in size, appearance, and some behavioral characteristics.

In 1889, after the description of M. baroni, French naturalist Alexandre Thominot described Phrynomantis maculatus, with its type locality on Réunion Island.

They have small, angular heads, with large eyes that are either entirely dark or have lighter coloration around the edge of the iris.

Many species of Mantella are similar to the neotropical family Dendrobatidae in their use of aposematism (from Greek ἀπό apo away, σῆμα sema sign), a defense mechanism that uses dramatic coloration to deter potential predators.

Coloration and markings vary between species, with combinations of green, red, orange, yellow, blue, brown, white and black.

The venter is normally uniform black, dark grey, or brown and are often marked with blueish or white spots, flecks, or blotches.

This, combined with analyses of stomach contents and diet, suggests that members of Mantella obtain at least some of their alkaloids from arthropod prey.

On the island of Nosy Boraha (Sainte Marie), M. ebenaui have been found living in garbage dumps, feeding on flies.

Similar behavior has been reported in western Madagascar, with M. betsileo inhabiting rubbish piles behind human dwellings.

[1][4] Most species are easily identifiable by their color patterns, although there are a number of locality variations with an uncertain taxonomic status.

[4] Several species in the genus are threatened because of habitat loss (due to subsistence agriculture, timber extraction and charcoal production, fires, draining of wetlands, the spread of invasive eucalyptus, and expanding human settlements), mining, hybridization and over-collection for the international pet trade.

As of yet, there have been no negative effects observed within amphibian populations in Madagascar, suggesting that the Bd strain has a low virulence level but should be closely monitored.