Greater bamboo lemur

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Greater bamboo lemur
Greater bamboo lemur (Prolemur simus) male.jpg
In Ranomafana National Park
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: Hapalemur
Species:
H. simus
Binomial name
Hapalemur simus
J. E. Gray, 1871 [3]
Prolemur simus range map.svg
Distribution of H. simus [1]
Synonyms
  • gallieniStanding, 1905 [3]

The greater bamboo lemur (Hapalemur simus), also known as the broad-nosed bamboo lemur and the broad-nosed gentle lemur, is a species of lemur endemic to the island of Madagascar.

Contents

Taxonomy

Originally described as Hapalemur (Prolemur) simus by John Edward Gray in 1870, [4] it was regarded simply as Hapalemur simus as early as 1880. [5] With the understanding that this species is more closely related to the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) than to the other Hapalemur species, Colin Groves resurrected Prolemur as a full genus in 2001, with this species as its only member. [6] More recent research by Herrera and Dávalos (2016) indicates that the species is sister to all of Hapalemur, and that Lemur is sister to Hapalemur + simus, and that it should remain in Hapalemur. [7]

Description

The greater bamboo lemur is the largest bamboo lemur, at over 5 lb (2.3 kg). It has greyish brown fur and white ear tufts, and has a head-body length of around 1.5 ft (46 cm). They have relatively long tails and long back legs for leaping vertically amongst the trees of their forest habitat.

Predators

Its only confirmed predators are the fossa and the bush pigs, [8] but raptors are also suspected. Protection from predators, avoiding parasite vectors, and enhanced thermoregulation are three theories that are not mutually exclusive to explain the selection of sleeping location. [9] The fossa hunts the Great bamboo lemurs in large numbers. As a result, the lemurs must maintain a secure sleeping environment, such as tree holes and constructed nests.

Habitat

Its current range is restricted to southeastern Madagascar, although fossils indicate its former range extended across bigger areas of the island, including as far north as Ankarana. [10] [11] Some notable parts of the current range are the Ranomafana [12] and Andringitra National Parks.[ citation needed ]

Behavior

Greater bamboo lemurs live in groups of up to 28. Individuals are extremely gregarious. The species may be the only lemur in which the male is dominant, although this is not certain. Because of their social nature, greater bamboo lemurs have at least seven different calls. Males have been observed taking bamboo pith away from females that had put significant effort into opening the bamboo stems. In captivity, greater bamboo lemurs have lived over the age of 17. [13]

Diet

It feeds almost exclusively on the bamboo species of Cathariostachys madagascariensis , preferring the shoots but also eating the pith and leaves. It is unknown how their metabolism deals with the cyanide found in the shoots. The typical daily dose would be enough to kill humans. Greater bamboo lemurs occasionally consume fungi, flowers, and fruit. Its main food source is bamboo and it is the main reason why it has become critically endangered. [14] [8] Areas with high density of bamboo have major human disturbances, where humans cut or illegally cut down bamboo. [15]

Conservation status

The greater bamboo lemur (Hapalemur simus), is one of the world's most critically endangered primates, according to the IUCN Red List. Scientists believed that it was extinct, but a remnant population was discovered in 1986. [16] Since then, surveys of south- and central-eastern Madagascar have found about 500 individuals in 11 subpopulations. [1] The home range of the species is likewise drastically reduced. The current range is less than 4 percent of its historic distribution. The reason for the endangerment is climate change and human activities which depleted the primary food source (bamboo). Greater bamboo lemur is a part of prosimian species, which appeared even before monkeys. This species of lemur is not capable of adapting to the rapidly changing habitat. Human activities and climate change have resulted in the depletion of populations and resulted in a few remaining patches of forest capable of supporting this species. The species is endangered by the following: slash and burn farming, mining, bamboo, and other logging, and slingshot hunting. [13] It was formerly one of "The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates." [17]

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">Sifaka</span> Genus of lemur

A sifaka is a lemur of the genus Propithecus from the family Indriidae within the order Primates. The name of their family is an onomatopoeia of their characteristic "shi-fak" alarm call. Like all lemurs, they are found only on the island of Madagascar. All species of sifakas are threatened, ranging from endangered to critically endangered.

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

The bamboo lemurs or gentle lemurs are the lemurs in genus Hapalemur. These medium-sized primates live exclusively on Madagascar.

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

The Sambirano mouse lemur is a small, recently discovered primate and like the other mouse lemurs can only be found on the island of Madagascar. The dorsal side is both cinnamon and rufous-cinnamon and is grey ventrally. It has vibrissae that are dark in color.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ankarana Special Reserve</span> Protected area in northern Madagascar

Ankarana Special Reserve is a protected area in northern Madagascar created in 1956. It is a small, partially vegetated plateau composed of 150-million-year-old middle Jurassic limestone. With an average annual rainfall of about 2,000 millimetres (79 in), the underlying rocks have been eroded to produce caves and feed subterranean rivers—a karst topography. The rugged relief and the dense vegetation have helped protect the region from human intrusion.

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

The golden bamboo lemur, bokombolomena or varibolomena in Malagasy, is a medium-sized bamboo lemur endemic to south-eastern Madagascar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern lesser bamboo lemur</span> Species of lemur

The eastern lesser bamboo lemur, also known as the gray bamboo lemur, the gray gentle lemur, and the Mahajanga lemur is a small lemur endemic to Madagascar, with three known subspecies. As its name suggests, the eastern lesser bamboo lemur feeds mainly on bamboo. The lemurs of the genus Hapalemur have more manual dexterity and hand–eye coordination than most lemurs. They are vertical climbers and jump from stalk to stalk in thick bamboo forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern rufous mouse lemur</span> Species of lemur

The northern rufous mouse lemur, northern brown mouse lemur, or Tavaratra mouse lemur is found in northern Madagascar from the Ankarana Special Reserve in the west to the Manambato River in the northeast, and up to the Irodo River in the north of the Analamerana Special Reserve. The complete distribution range of M. tavaratra is still to be defined as some areas surrounding the described distribution have not been visited yet. For example, M. tavaratra has been reported to possibly occur from the Irodo up to the Montagne des Français. Its known distribution cover four protected areas – the Ankarana Special Reserve, and the Analamerana Special Reserve both managed by Madagascar National Parks, the Loky-Manambato protected area (Daraina), and the Andavakoeira-Andrafiamena protected area, both Managed by the NGO Fanamby

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madame Berthe's mouse lemur</span> Species of mammal

Madame Berthe's mouse lemur or Berthe's mouse lemur is the smallest of the mouse lemurs and the smallest primate in the world; the average body length is 9.2 cm (3.6 in) and seasonal weight is around 30 g (1.1 oz). Microcebus berthae is one of many species of Malagasy lemurs that came about through extensive speciation, caused by unknown environmental mechanisms and conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lac Alaotra bamboo lemur</span> Species of lemur

The Lac Alaotra bamboo lemur, also known as the Lac Alaotra gentle lemur, Alaotran bamboo lemur, Alaotran gentle lemur, Alaotra reed lemur, or locally as the bandro, is a bamboo lemur. It is endemic to the reed beds in and around Lac Alaotra, in northeast Madagascar. It is about 40 cm (16 in) long, with a similar length tail, and is a brownish-gray colour. It is the only bamboo lemur to live in and feed on papyrus reeds, and other reeds and grasses, and some authorities argue that it should be regarded as a subspecies of the eastern lesser bamboo lemur. The population of this lemur has been declining because of habitat destruction and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated it as being "critically endangered".

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

The dwarf lemurs are the lemurs of the genus Cheirogaleus. All of the species in this genus, like all other lemurs, are native to Madagascar.

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

The Ankarana sportive lemur, or Ankarana weasel lemur, is a sportive lemur endemic to Madagascar. It is one of the smaller sportive lemurs with a total length of about 53 cm (21 in), including 25 cm (9.8 in) of tail. Average body weight is approximately 750 grams (1.65 lb). The Ankarana sportive lemur is found in northern Madagascar, living in dry lowland forests in Ankarana, Andrafiamena and Analamerana, and in moist montane forest of Montagne d'Ambre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western lesser bamboo lemur</span> Species of lemur

The western lesser bamboo lemur, also known as the northern bamboo lemur, western gentle lemur, or Sambirano lesser bamboo lemur, is a species of bamboo lemur endemic to Madagascar.

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

The southern lesser bamboo lemur, also known as the southern bamboo lemur, rusty-gray lesser bamboo lemur, and southern gentle lemur, is a species of bamboo lemur endemic to southern Madagascar.

<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">Perrier's sifaka</span> Species of lemur

Perrier's sifaka is a lemur endemic to Madagascar. It was formerly considered to be a subspecies of diademed sifaka It has a very small range in northeastern Madagascar where its habitat is dry deciduous or semihumid forest. Part of its range is in protected areas. It is an almost entirely black sifaka and measures about 90 cm (35 in), half of which is a bushy tail. Females are slightly larger than males.

<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">Taxonomy of lemurs</span> Science of describing species and defining the evolutionary relationships between taxa of lemurs

Lemurs were first classified in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus, and the taxonomy remains controversial today, with approximately 70 to 100 species and subspecies recognized, depending on how the term "species" is defined. Having undergone their own independent evolution on Madagascar, lemurs have diversified to fill many ecological niches normally filled by other types of mammals. They include the smallest primates in the world, and once included some of the largest. Since the arrival of humans approximately 2,000 years ago, lemurs have become restricted to 10% of the island, or approximately 60,000 square kilometers (23,000 sq mi), and many face extinction. Concerns over lemur conservation have affected lemur taxonomy, since distinct species receive increased conservation attention compared to subspecies.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Ravaloharimanitra, M.; King, T.; Wright, P.; Raharivololona, B.; Ramaherison, R.P.; Louis, E.E.; Frasier, C.L.; Dolch, R.; Roullet, D.; Razafindramanana, J.; Volampeno, S.; Randriahaingo, H.N.T.; Randrianarimanana, L.; Borgerson, C.; Mittermeier, R.A. (2020). "Prolemur simus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T9674A115564770. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T9674A115564770.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "Checklist of CITES Species". CITES. UNEP-WCMC. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  3. 1 2 Groves, C. P. (2005). "Species Prolemur simus". 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. p. 117. ISBN   0-801-88221-4. OCLC   62265494.
  4. ↑ Groves, C. P. (2005). "Genus Prolemur". 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. p. 117. ISBN   0-801-88221-4. OCLC   62265494.
  5. ↑ Schlegel, H. (1880). "Hapalemur simus". Notes from the Leyden Museum.
  6. ↑ Groves, C. P. (2001). Primate taxonomy. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 350. ISBN   156098872X.
  7. ↑ Herrera, James P.; Dávalos, Liliana M. (September 2016). "Phylogeny and Divergence Times of Lemurs Inferred with Recent and Ancient Fossils in the Tree". Systematic Biology. 65 (5): 772–791. doi: 10.1093/sysbio/syw035 . PMID   27113475.
  8. 1 2 Ravaloharimanitra, Maholy; Ratolojanahary, Tianasoa; Rafalimandimby, Jean; Rajaonson, Andry; Rakotonirina, Laingoniaina; Rasolofoharivelo, Tovonanahary; Ndriamiary, Jean Noel; Andriambololona, Jeannot; Nasoavina, Christin; Fanomezantsoa, Prosper; Rakotoarisoa, Justin Claude (17 February 2011). "Gathering Local Knowledge in Madagascar Results in a Major Increase in the Known Range and Number of Sites for Critically Endangered Greater Bamboo Lemurs (Prolemur simus)". International Journal of Primatology. 32 (3): 776–792. doi:10.1007/s10764-011-9500-4. ISSN   0164-0291. S2CID   32431392.
  9. ↑ Eppley, Timothy M. (21 January 2016). "Unusual sleeping site selection by southern bamboo lemurs". Primates. 57 (2): 167–173. doi:10.1007/s10329-016-0516-4. PMID   26860934. S2CID   8025412.
  10. ↑ Godfrey, L.R.; Wilson, Jane M.; Simons, E.L.; Stewart, Paul D.; Vuillaume-Randriamanantena, M. (1996). "Ankarana: window to Madagascar's past". Lemur News. 2: 16–17.
  11. ↑ Wilson, Jane M.; Godfrey, L.R.; Simons, E.L.; Stewart, Paul D.; Vuillaume-Randriamanantena, M. (1995). "Past and Present Lemur Fauna at Ankarana, N. Madagascar". Primate Conservation. 16: 47–52.
  12. ↑ Wilson, Jane (1995). Lemurs of the Lost World: exploring the forests and Crocodile Caves of Madagascar. Impact, London. pp. 139–143. ISBN   978-1-874687-48-1.
  13. 1 2 Conniff, Richard (April 2006). "For the Love of Lemurs". Smithsonian . Smithsonian Institution. 37 (1): 102–109.
  14. ↑ Hawkins, Melissa T. R.; Culligan, Ryan R.; Frasier, Cynthia L.; Dikow, Rebecca B.; Hagenson, Ryan; Lei, Runhua; Louis, Edward E. (8 June 2018). "Genome sequence and population declines in the critically endangered greater bamboo lemur (Prolemur simus) and implications for conservation". BMC Genomics. 19 (1): 445. doi: 10.1186/s12864-018-4841-4 . ISSN   1471-2164. PMC   5994045 . PMID   29884119.
  15. ↑ Olson, Erik R.; Marsh, Ryan A.; Bovard, Brittany N.; Randrianarimanana, H. L. Lucien; Ravaloharimanitra, Maholy; Ratsimbazafy, Jonah H.; King, Tony (30 April 2013). "Habitat Preferences of the Critically Endangered Greater Bamboo Lemur (Prolemur simus) and Densities of One of Its Primary Food Sources, Madagascar Giant Bamboo (Cathariostachys madagascariensis), in Sites with Different Degrees of Anthropogenic and Natural Disturbance". International Journal of Primatology. 34 (3): 486–499. doi:10.1007/s10764-013-9674-z. ISSN   0164-0291. S2CID   14975585.
  16. ↑ Wright, Pat (July 2008). "A Proposal from Greater Bamboo Lemur Conservation Project". SavingSpecies. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  17. ↑ Mittermeier, R.A.; Wallis, J.; Rylands, A.B.; Ganzhorn, J.U.; Oates, J.F.; Williamson, E.A.; Palacios, E.; Heymann, E.W.; Kierulff, M.C.M.; Yongcheng, L.; Supriatna, J.; Roos, C.; Walker, S.; Cortés-Ortiz, L.; Schwitzer, C., eds. (2009). Primates in Peril: The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates 2008–2010 (PDF). Illustrated by S.D. Nash. Arlington, VA: IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group (PSG), International Primatological Society (IPS), and Conservation International (CI). pp. 1–92. ISBN   978-1-934151-34-1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 August 2011.
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