Collared brown lemur

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Collared brown lemur
Eulemur collaris 001 edit.jpg
A group of collared brown lemurs sit huddled on a tree limb, with a juvenile clinging to its mother's abdomen.
CITES Appendix I (CITES) [2]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Strepsirrhini
Family: Lemuridae
Genus: Eulemur
Species:
E. collaris
Binomial name
Eulemur collaris
Eulemur collaris range map.svg
Distribution of E. collaris [1]
Synonyms
  • melanocephalaGray, 1863
  • xanthomystaxGray, 1863

The collared brown lemur (Eulemur collaris), also known as the red-collared brown lemur or red-collared lemur, is a medium-sized strepsirrhine primate and one of twelve species of brown lemur in the family Lemuridae. It is only found in south-eastern Madagascar. Like most species of lemur, it is arboreal, moving quadrupedally and occasionally leaping from tree to tree. Like other brown lemurs, this species is cathemeral (active during the day and the night), lives in social groups, primarily eats fruit, exhibits sexual dichromatism, and does not demonstrate female dominance. The species is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is threatened primarily by habitat loss.

Contents

Taxonomy

Together with the twelve other true lemurs (genus Eulemur), [4] the collared brown lemur (E. collaris) is a type of lemur belonging to the family Lemuridae. Collectively, lemurs (infraorder Lemuriformes) are classified as strepsirrhine primates. Originally listed as a subspecies of the common brown lemur (E. fulvus), the collared brown lemur was promoted to full species status in 2001 by biological anthropologist Colin Groves. [3]

Anatomy and physiology

An adult collared brown lemur can reach a head-body length of 39 and 40 cm (15 and 16 in) and have a tail length of 50 and 55 cm (20 and 22 in) for an overall length of 89 and 95 cm (35 and 37 in). It has an average body weight of 2.25 and 2.5 kg (5.0 and 5.5 lb), making it a medium-sized lemur. [5] [6] The only form of sexual dimorphism exhibited by the collared brown lemur is dichromatism. The following table illustrates the coloration differences between the sexes:

Differences in coloration between sexes in the collared brown lemur [5] [6]
MaleFemale
Dorsal coatBrownish-grayBrowner and more rufous than the male's
Ventral coatPaler grayPale creamy-gray
TailDarker gray with a dark stripe along the spineSame as dorsal coat
Face and headMuzzle, face, and crown are dark gray to black; creamy to gray-colored eyebrow patches vary between individualsGray, with faint gray stripe extending over crown
CheeksCreamy to rufous-brown cheeks and beard are thick and bushyRufous-brown, but less prominent than the male's
Eyesorange-redorange-red
Collared brown lemurs: Female (top) and male (bottom) (Illustration from 1892) Eulemur collaris AGrandidier 0833.jpg
Collared brown lemurs:
Female (top) and male (bottom)
(Illustration from 1892)

In the wild, the collared brown lemur's range does not overlap with other brown lemurs, so it is rarely confused with other species. [6] However, in captivity it can be easily confused with the gray-headed lemur (Eulemur cinereiceps) due to similar coloration. The male collared brown lemur can be distinguished by their cream-colored or rufous beards, whereas the male gray-headed lemur has a white beard. Females of these two species are nearly indistinguishable, even though genetic analyses support full species status for both taxa. [5] In Berenty Reserve, the species has hybridized with the red lemur. [7]

Ecology

Found in tropical moist lowland and montane forests in southeastern Madagascar, the collared brown lemur occurs west to the forests of Kalambatritra and in the south from Tôlanaro north to the Mananara River. [1] [5] [6] The Mananara River is the boundary between the ranges of the collared brown lemur and the gray-headed lemur to the north. The collared brown lemur can be found in the littoral forests of Mandena Conservation Zone, Sainte Luce Reserve, and Andohahela National Park. [5]

In its environment, the collared brown lemur acts as a seed disperser, and is especially critical for the dispersal of large-seeded fruiting trees within its range. [8] However, there is no evidence that these relationships are coevolutionary and instead these lemurs may be the last remaining seed dispersers for these tree species following the extinction of larger frugivorous birds and subfossil lemurs. [9]

Behavior

Very little is known about the natural history of this species. It shows great dietary flexibility, feeding on fruits from over 100 plant species. [10] It is also cathemeral (active both day and night throughout the year), a trait seen in some other members of its genus. [5] [6] Research has suggested that metabolic dietary-related needs are the leading factor behind this behavior, although the specific hours of this activity pattern can shift based on lunar luminosity and seasonal changes in the photoperiod (day length). [11] Previous studies had ruled out effects of predators on the expression of this trait, and instead pointed to fruit availability and fiber intake as more important factors. [10]

The collared brown lemur tends to live in social groups that are multi-male/multi-female, [5] with groups ranging in size from two to seventeen individuals. [10] Population densities are estimated at 14 individuals/km2, and it appears to be common within its range. [5] Females give birth to one offspring between October and December, and male involvement with the young has been observed. [6] Female dominance, a common behavioral trait in many lemur species but uncommon in most true lemurs, has not been observed in this species. [5] [12]

Brown lemurs at Berenty (hybrid E. fulvus x collaris) [13] show linear hierarchy, adult female dominance, and the presence of conciliatory behavior after aggressions. [14] Additionally, stress levels (measured via self-directed behaviors) decrease at the increase of the hierarchical position of individuals within the social group and reconciliation is able to bring stress down to the baseline levels. [15]

Conservation status

Populations of collared brown lemur have successfully been maintained in captivity. Collared Brown Lemur Eulemur collaris Bronx Zoo cropped.jpg
Populations of collared brown lemur have successfully been maintained in captivity.

The collared brown lemur was listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List assessment. [1] Its greatest threat is habitat loss from slash-and-burn agriculture and charcoal production. It is also hunted for food and captured for the local pet trade. [5] However, populations of the collared brown lemur have been successfully sustained in captivity and continue to provide a safeguard against their extinction. [16]

A small group of collared brown lemurs was introduced in the 1980s into the Berenty Private Reserve and has since hybridized with introduced red-fronted lemurs. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lemuridae</span> Family of lemurs

Lemuridae is a family of strepsirrhine primates native to Madagascar and the Comoros. They are represented by the Lemuriformes in Madagascar with one of the highest concentration of the lemurs. One of five families commonly known as lemurs. These animals were once thought to be the evolutionary predecessors of monkeys and apes, but this is no longer considered correct. They are formally referred to as lemurids.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lemur</span> Clade of primates endemic to the island of Madagascar

Lemurs are wet-nosed primates of the superfamily Lemuroidea, divided into 8 families and consisting of 15 genera and around 100 existing species. They are endemic to the island of Madagascar. Most existing lemurs are small, have a pointed snout, large eyes, and a long tail. They chiefly live in trees and are active at night.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ring-tailed lemur</span> A large lemur from Madagascar

The ring-tailed lemur is a medium- to larger-sized strepsirrhine (wet-nosed) primate, and the most internationally-recognized lemur species, owing to its long, black-and-white, ringed tail. It belongs to Lemuridae, one of five lemur families, and is the only member of the Lemur genus. Like all lemurs, it is endemic to the island of Madagascar, where it is endangered. Known locally in Malagasy as maky or hira, it ranges from gallery forests to spiny scrub in the southern regions of the island. It is omnivorous, as well as the most adapted to living terrestrially of the extant lemurs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">True lemur</span> Genus of lemurs

True lemurs, also known as brown lemurs, are the lemurs in genus Eulemur. They are medium-sized primates that live exclusively on Madagascar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cathemerality</span> Irregular organismal activity pattern

Cathemerality, sometimes called "metaturnality", is an organismal activity pattern of irregular intervals during the day or night in which food is acquired, socializing with other organisms occurs, and any other activities necessary for livelihood are undertaken. This activity differs from the generally monophasic pattern of nocturnal and diurnal species as it is polyphasic and is approximately evenly distributed throughout the 24-hour cycle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-bellied lemur</span> Species of lemur

The red-bellied lemur is a medium-sized strepsirrhine primate with a luxuriant chestnut brown coat. This lemur is endemic to eastern Madagascan rainforests and is distinguished by patches of white skin below the eyes, giving rise to a "teardrop" effect, particularly conspicuous in the male.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black lemur</span> Species of lemur

The black lemur is a species of lemur from the family Lemuridae. Like all lemurs, it is endemic to Madagascar. Originally, the species was thought to have two subspecies, Eulemur macaco macaco and Eulemur macaco flavifrons, both of which were elevated to species status by Mittermeier et al. in 2008 to Eulemur macaco and Eulemur flavifrons respectively. The most startling difference between the two species is the eye colour; Eulemur flavifrons, the blue-eyed black lemur, has blue eyes, while Eulemur macaco, the black lemur, has brown or orange eyes, and also has ear tufts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue-eyed black lemur</span> Species of true lemur

The blue-eyed black lemur, also known as the Sclater's lemur, is a species of true lemur. It can attain a body length of 39–45 cm (15–18 in), a tail length of 51–65 cm (20–26 in), a total length of 90–100 cm (35–39 in), and a weight of 1.8–1.9 kg (4.0–4.2 lb). Being a primate, it has strong hands with palms like a human, which have a rubbery texture to give it a firm grip on branches. Its tail is longer than its body and is non-prehensile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common brown lemur</span> Species of lemur

The common brown lemur is a species of lemur in the family Lemuridae. It is found in Madagascar and has been introduced to Mayotte.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-footed sportive lemur</span> Species of lemur

The white-footed sportive lemur, white-footed weasel lemur, or dry-bush weasel lemur is a species of lemur in the family Lepilemuridae, the sportive lemurs. It is similar in appearance to other lemurs in the family, with a grey back, a pale grey to white ventral side, and a light brown tail. It is a nocturnal animal that moves through the forest using a vertical clinging and leaping technique. It is endemic to Madagascar, inhabiting the southern subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. It is threatened by habitat loss due to agriculture practices and charcoal production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-headed lemur</span> Species of lemur

The white-headed lemur, also known as the white-headed brown lemur, white-fronted brown lemur, or white-fronted lemur, is a species of primate in the family Lemuridae. It is only found in north-eastern Madagascar. It is arboreal and is usually found in rainforest treetops. It was formerly recognised as a subspecies of the common brown lemur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sanford's brown lemur</span> Species of lemur

Sanford's brown lemur, or Sanford's lemur, is a species of strepsirrhine primate in the family Lemuridae. Sanford's brown lemur was previously considered a subspecies of the common brown lemur but was raised to full species in 2001. It is named after Leonard Cutler Sanford, a trustee of the American Museum of Natural History.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern woolly lemur</span> Species of lemur

The southern woolly lemur, or southern avahi, has been recently recognized as a separate species of woolly lemur in 2006 by Zaramody et al. It is a nocturnal and pair-living species. Groups can range from 2 to 5 individuals. A study in Sainte Luce forest revealed home range varied from 2.2 to 3.5 ha and that males can have larger home range and cover longer daily distances than females, in agreement with the territory defence and mate guarding hypotheses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-fronted lemur</span> Species of lemur

The red-fronted lemur, also known as the red-fronted brown lemur or southern red-fronted brown lemur, is a species of lemur from Madagascar. Until 2001, it was considered a subspecies of the common brown lemur, E. fulvus. In 2001, E. fulvus was split into several separate species, including Eulemur rufus, in which this species was included. In 2008, E. rufus was split into two species, the red lemur and the red-fronted lemur. E. rufus covers the population on the west coast north of the Tsiribihina River and E. rufifrons covers the population on the west coast south of the Tsiribihina River and the population in eastern Madagascar. The species split was based on genetic and morphological evidence. Mitochondrial DNA analysis indicates that E. rufifrons may be more closely related to the common brown lemur, white-headed lemur and Sanford's brown lemur than it is to E. rufus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gray-headed lemur</span> Species of lemur

The gray-headed lemur, or gray-headed brown lemur, is a medium-sized primate, a cathemeral species of lemur in the family Lemuridae. Until a taxonomic revision in 2008, it was known as the white-collared brown lemur or white-collared lemur. It lives in south-eastern Madagascar. In 2005, satellite imagery estimates showed approximately 700 km2 (270 sq mi) of total remaining habitat within its geographic range. It is highly threatened by hunting and habitat loss, and was considered to be among the 25 most endangered primates in 2006–2008. It is currently listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to a highly restricted range, and has been named one of "The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red lemur</span> Species of lemur

The red lemur, also known as the rufous brown lemur or northern red-fronted lemur, is a species of lemur from Madagascar. Until 2001, the species E. rufus was considered a subspecies of the common brown lemur, E. fulvus, after which it was classified as its own species. In December 2008, the species was split into two separate species, the red lemur, E. rufus, distributed in dry lowland forests in northwestern Madagascar, and the red-fronted lemur, E. rufifrons, distributed in southwest and eastern Madagascar. The species split was based on genetic and morphological evidence. Mitochondrial DNA analysis indicates that E. rufifrons may be more closely related to the common brown lemur, white-headed lemur and Sanford's brown lemur than it is to E. rufus.

<i>Lemurs of Madagascar</i> (book) 2010 reference work and field guide

Lemurs of Madagascar is a 2010 reference work and field guide for the lemurs of Madagascar, giving descriptions and biogeographic data for the known species. The primary contributor is Russell Mittermeier, president of Conservation International, and the cover art and illustrations were drawn by Stephen D. Nash. Currently in its third edition, the book provides details about all known lemur species, general information about lemurs and their history, and also helps travelers identify species they may encounter. Four related pocket field guides have also been released, containing color illustrations of each species, miniature range maps, and species checklists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sainte Luce Reserve</span>

Sainte Luce Reserve is a nature reserve in south-east Madagascar and part of one of the last remaining intact coastal rainforests in the country. The reserve is private, and has been managed by the Filana Association since 2010. It forms part of the greater Sainte Luce rainforest, which is approximately 15 km long and varies from 100m to 700m wide. The reserve itself is approximately 1 km long and averages 300m across.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandena Conservation Zone</span> Conservation zone in Madagascar

Mandena Conservation Zone is a conservation zone in southeast Madagascar.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Donati, G.; Balestri, M.; Campera, M.; Hyde Roberts, S.; Račevska, E.; Ramanamanjato, J.-B.; Ravoahangy, A. (2020). "Eulemur collaris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T8206A115562262. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  2. ↑ "Checklist of CITES Species". CITES. UNEP-WCMC. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  3. 1 2 Groves, C. P. (2005). "Eulemur collaris". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN   0-801-88221-4. OCLC   62265494.
  4. ↑ Mittermeier, R.; Ganzhorn, J.; Konstant, W.; Glander, K.; Tattersall, I.; Groves, C.; Rylands, A.; Hapke, A.; Ratsimbazafy, J.; Mayor, M.; Louis, E.; Rumpler, Y.; Schwitzer, C.; Rasoloarison, R. (2008). "Lemur Diversity in Madagascar" (PDF). International Journal of Primatology. 29 (6): 1607–1656. doi:10.1007/s10764-008-9317-y. hdl:10161/6237. S2CID   17614597.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Mittermeier, R.A.; Konstant, W.R.; Hawkins, F.; Louis, E.E.; et al. (2006). Lemurs of Madagascar . Illustrated by S.D. Nash (2nd ed.). Conservation International. pp. 278–279. ISBN   1-881173-88-7. OCLC   883321520.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Garbutt, N. (2007). Mammals of Madagascar, A Complete Guide. A&C Black Publishers. pp. 164–165. ISBN   978-0-300-12550-4.
  7. ↑ Tanaka, M (2007). "Habitat use and social structure of a brown lemur hybrid population in the Berenty Reserve, Madagascar". American Journal of Primatology. 69 (10): 1189–1194. doi:10.1002/ajp.20416. PMID   17294429. S2CID   22665722.
  8. ↑ Bollen, A.; Van Elsacker, L.; Ganzhorn, J.U. (2004). "Relations between fruits and disperser assemblages in a Malagasy littoral forest: a community-level approach". Journal of Tropical Ecology. 20 (6): 599–612. doi:10.1017/S0266467404001853. S2CID   86209100.
  9. ↑ Bollen, A.; Van Elsacker, L.; Ganzhorn, J.U. (2004). "Tree dispersal strategies in the littoral forest of Sainte Luce (SE-Madagascar)". Oecologia. 139 (4): 604–616. Bibcode:2004Oecol.139..604B. doi:10.1007/s00442-004-1544-0. PMID   15095087. S2CID   7827823.
  10. 1 2 3 Donati, G.; Bollen, A.; Borgognini-Tarli, S.M.; Ganzhorn, J.U. (2007). "Feeding over the 24-h cycle: dietary flexibility of cathemeral collared lemurs (Eulemur collaris)". Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 61 (8): 1237–1251. doi:10.1007/s00265-007-0354-x. S2CID   25635221.
  11. ↑ Donati, G.; Baldib, N.; Morellib, V.; Ganzhorn, J.U.; Borgognini-Tarli, S.M. (2009). "Proximate and ultimate determinants of cathemeral activity in brown lemurs". Animal Behaviour. 77 (2): 317–325. doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2008.09.033. S2CID   11620307.
  12. ↑ Sussman, R. (1999). Primate Ecology and Social Structure Volume 1: Lorises, Lemurs and Tarsiers. Pearson Custom Publishing. p.  214. ISBN   978-0-536-02256-1.
  13. ↑ Alison Jolly; Naoki Koyama; Hantanirina Rasamimanana; Helen Crowley; George Williams (2006). "Berenty Reserve: a research site in southern Madagascar". In A. Jolly; R. W. Sussman; N. Koyama; H. Rasamimanana (eds.). Ringtailed Lemur Biology: Lemur catta in Madagascar. pp. 32–42. ISBN   978-0-387-32669-6.
  14. ↑ Norscia, I.; Palagi, E. (2010). "Do wild brown lemurs reconcile? Not always". Journal of Ethology. 29: 181–185. doi:10.1007/s10164-010-0228-y. S2CID   45324039.
  15. ↑ Palagi, E.; Norscia, I. (2010). "Scratching around stress: hierarchy and reconciliation make the difference in wild brown lemurs Eulemur fulvus". Stress. 14 (1): 93–7. doi: 10.3109/10253890.2010.505272 . PMID   20666657. S2CID   21758712.
  16. ↑ "ISIS Species Holdings, Eulemur collaris". International Species Information System (ISIS). 2010. Retrieved 26 February 2010.

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