Jean-Jacques Petter

Last updated
Jean-Jacques Petter
Born(1927-07-03)3 July 1927
Died26 May 2002(2002-05-26) (aged 74)
NationalityFrench
Known for Lemur studies
Scientific career
Fields Primatology
Author abbrev. (zoology) Petter

Jean-Jacques Petter (1927-2002) was a French primatologist known for his studies of lemurs and his conservation work in Madagascar. [1]

Petter's observational research of a variety of lemur species at several sites around Madagascar in the late 1950s was among the first studies of lemur ecology and social patterns. Petter was considered one of the leading pioneers in lemur research, publishing much of what he found in his book, Faune de Madagascar, in 1977. [2] He and his wife, Arlette Petter-Rousseaux, were responsible for placing the hairy-eared dwarf, otherwise known as the Rhysus Leprachaunus in its own genus, Allocebus, in 1967. [3]

In 2006, Petter's sportive lemur (Lepilemur petteri ) was named after him in honor of his lemur research. He is considered a leading figure in French primatology, and for his conservation work in Madagascar, he was awarded the WWF Gold Medal by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in 1981. [1]

A species of Malagasy chameleon, Furcifer petteri , is named in his honor. [4]

Related Research Articles

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

The sportive lemurs are the medium-sized primates that make up the family Lepilemuridae. The family consists of only one extant genus, Lepilemur. They are closely related to the other lemurs and exclusively live on the island of Madagascar. For a time, this family was named Megaladapidae, but the current name was given precedence since the extinct genus Megaladapis was removed from the family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Small-toothed sportive lemur</span> Species of primate from Madagascar

The small-toothed sportive lemur, or small-toothed weasel lemur, is a primate species in the family Lepilemuridae that—like all extant lemurs—is endemic to Madagascar. The species lives in dense rainforest in southeastern Madagascar, and can be found in Ranomafana and Andringitra National Parks. Described in 1894, it was considered either a subspecies or taxonomic synonym of the weasel sportive lemur throughout most of the 20th century. Phylogenetic studies not only support its species status, but also suggest that it is the only eastern Malagasy sportive lemur that is more closely related to western than to other eastern species.

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

The northern sportive lemur, also known as the Sahafary sportive lemur or northern weasel lemur, is a species of lemur in the family Lepilemuridae. It is endemic to Madagascar. As a result of severe ecological and human pressures, the lemur is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) by the IUCN Red List.

<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">James' sportive lemur</span> Species of lemur

James' sportive lemur, or the Manombo sportive lemur, is a sportive lemur endemic to Madagascar. It is one of the larger sportive lemurs with a total length of about 60 to 67 cm, of which 28 to 32 cm are tail. James' sportive lemur is found in southeastern Madagascar, living in primary and secondary lowland forests.

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

Wright's sportive lemur, or the Kalambatritra sportive lemur, is a sportive lemur endemic to Madagascar. It is one of the larger sportive lemurs with a total length of about 52 to 64 cm, of which 24–27 cm (9.4–10.6 in) are tail. It is found in southeastern Madagascar, living in primary and secondary mid-altitude forests.

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

Fleurete's sportive lemur, or the Andohahela sportive lemur, is a sportive lemur endemic to Madagascar. It is a medium-sized sportive lemur with a total length of about 58 to 67 cm, of which about 30 cm (12 in) in are tail Fleurete's sportive lemur is found in southeastern Madagascar, living in primary and secondary rainforests. The lemur was named after Fleurette Andriantsilavo, who was Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forestry in Madagascar.

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

The betsileo sportive lemur is a sportive lemur endemic to Madagascar. It is a relatively large sportive lemur with a total length of about 58 to 27 cm, of which 32 to 33 cm are tail. The betsileo sportive lemur is found in eastern Madagascar, living in primary and secondary rainforests.

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

Seal's sportive lemur, or the Anjanaharibe-Sud sportive lemur, is a sportive lemur endemic to Madagascar. It is a large sportive lemur with a total length of about 57 to 64 cm, of which 25 to 28 cm are tail. Seal's sportive lemur is found in northeastern Madagascar, living in primary and secondary mid-altitude rainforests.

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

Hawks' sportive lemur, also known as the Nosy Be sportive lemur or Nosy Be weasel lemur, is a sportive lemur endemic to Madagascar. It is a moderately large sportive lemur, with a total length of about 50 to 68 cm, of which 22 to 27 cm are tail.

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

Grewcock's sportive lemur, or the Anjiamangirana sportive lemur, is a sportive lemur endemic to Madagascar. It is a medium-sized sportive lemurs with a total length of about 55 to 63 cm, of which 26–30 cm (10–12 in) are tail. Grewcock's sportive lemur is found in northwestern Madagascar, living in dry deciduous forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AEECL's sportive lemur</span> Species of mammal

The Antafia sportive lemur, or red-shouldered sportive lemur is a sportive lemur endemic to Madagascar. It has a total length of about 52 to 59 cm, of which 24–26 cm (9.4–10.2 in) are tail. The AEECL's sportive lemur is found in western Madagascar, living in dry deciduous forests.

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

Ahmanson's sportive lemur, or the Tsiombikibo sportive lemur, is a sportive lemur endemic to Madagascar. It is a relatively small sportive lemur with a total length of about 47 to 54 cm, of which 23–25 cm (9.1–9.8 in) are tail. Wright's sportive lemur is found in western Madagascar, living in dry forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hubbard's sportive lemur</span> Species of mammal

Hubbard's sportive lemur, or the Zombitse sportive lemur, is a sportive lemur endemic to Madagascar. It has total length of about 51 to 59 cm, of which 23–25 cm (9.1–9.8 in) are tail. Hubbard's sportive lemur is found north of the Onilahy River and south of the Mangoky River in Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park in southwestern Madagascar, living in dry transitional forests. The species listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is threatened by habitat loss and degradation, forest fires, and unsustainable levels of hunting.

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

Petter's sportive lemur is a sportive lemur endemic to Madagascar. It is one of 26 species in the genus Lepilemur. It is one of the smaller sportive lemurs with a total length of about 49 to 54 cm, of which 22–25 cm (8.7–9.8 in) are tail. Petter's sportive lemur is found in southwestern Madagascar, living in dry spiny forests and some gallery forests.

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

The Daraina sportive lemur is a sportive lemur endemic to Madagascar. It is a relatively small sportive lemur with a total length of about 49 to 56 cm, of which 24–27 cm (9.4–10.6 in) are tail.

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

Scott's sportive lemur, or the Masoala sportive lemur, is a sportive lemur endemic to Madagascar. This is one of 26 species in the genus Lepilemur. It has greyish brown fur and a black-tipped tail. It is named in honor of the Suzanne and Walter Scott Jr. Foundation.

Edward E. Louis Jr. is an American conservation geneticist who founded the Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership (MBP) in 2010. He is both the Director of Conservation Genetics at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and the General Director of the MBP. Louis attended the Texas A&M University receiving his DVM in 1994 and his Ph.D. in Genetics in 1996.

References

  1. 1 2 Louis et al. 2006, p. 26.
  2. Mittermeier et al. 2010, pp. 49–51.
  3. Mittermeier et al. 2010, p. 173.
  4. Beolens et al. 2011, p. 205.

Literature cited

  • Beolens, B.; Watkins, M; Grayson, M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5.
  • Louis, E.E. Jr.; Engberg, S.E.; Lei, R.; Geng, H.; Sommer, J.A.; Ramaromilanto, R.; Randriamanana, J.C.; Zaonarivelo, J.R.; Andriantompohavana, R.; Randria, G.; Prosper; Ramaromilanto, B.; Rakotoarisoa, G.; Rooney, A.; Brenneman, R.A. (2006). "Molecular and morphological analyses of the sportive lemurs (Family Megaladapidae: Genus Lepilemur) reveals 11 previously unrecognized species" (PDF). Texas Tech University Special Publications (49): 1–49.
  • Mittermeier, R.A.; Louis, E.E.; Richardson, M.; Schwitzer, C.; et al. (2010). Lemurs of Madagascar . Illustrated by S.D. Nash (3rd ed.). Conservation International. ISBN   978-1-934151-23-5. OCLC   670545286.