1. Variation in Habitat and Behavior of the Northern Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur septentrionalis) at Montagne des Français, Madagascar.
- Author
-
Dinsmore, Mary P., Louis Jr., Edward E., Randriamahazomanana, Daniel, Hachim, Ali, Zaonarivelo, John R., and Strier, Karen B.
- Subjects
LEPILEMURIDAE ,LEMUR conservation ,MAMMAL conservation ,WILDLIFE conservation ,PRIMATE ecology - Abstract
Understanding variation in habitat quality, diet, and behavioral patterns is fundamental for the development of conservation strategies for threatened primates. From June-August 2013, we conducted a preliminary study of four northern sportive lemurs (Lepilemur septentrionalis)-Critically Endangered, solitary-foraging primates living in different forest fragments in Montagne des Français, Madagascar. We sought to obtain the first systematic data on the behavior and feeding ecology of this species in the wild, and identify potential differences in habitat characteristics. The four individuals in our study are estimated to represent approximately 8% of the known population of this species, about which very little else is known. Our data showed that the variety of plant parts consumed did not differ among the four individuals despite differences in habitat as determined by measures of anthropogenic disturbance, tree density, species diversity, total tree basal area, and presence of invasive species. The data suggest, however, that individuals in areas that suffer more anthropogenic threats spent slightly more time feeding, devoted a greater percentage of feeding time to fruit than to leaves, and had larger home ranges than those in areas with fewer different anthropogenic activities. Our results suggest that the ability of the northern sportive lemur to adjust its behavior under different environmental conditions may be beneficial to their ability to persist in degraded habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016