Otto's sportive lemur

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Otto's sportive lemur
Lepilemur otto holotype specimen.jpg
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: Lepilemuridae
Genus: Lepilemur
Species:
L. otto
Binomial name
Lepilemur otto
Craul et al., 2007 [3]
Lepilemur otto range map.svg
Distribution of L. otto [1]

Otto's sportive lemur (Lepilemur otto), or the Ambodimahabibo sportive lemur, is a sportive lemur endemic to Madagascar. Like all members of the genus Lepilemur, it is solitary, nocturnal and largely folivorous. It is threatened by habitat loss and hunting. [1]

Contents

Taxonomy and phylogenetics

Otto's sportive lemur was described in 2007 from tissue samples, hair samples and morphometrics collected from live individuals in 2004. The species was recognized as new to science based primarily through genetic evidence. The specific epithet otto honors Michael Otto for his monetary donations to lemur research and conservation. [3]

Genetic analyses show Otto's sportive lemur to be the outgroup to a clade containing Grewcock's sportive lemur and Milne-Edwards' sportive lemur. [4]

Description

Otto's sportive lemur has a grey-brown back and a grey to creamy underside. A dark stripe runs from the uper skull down the spine and ending before the tail. The tail varies from grey-brown to deep brown, and sometimes has a white tip. The face and forehead is grey. [3]

The species differs genetically from its closest relatives, and differences in the NADH4 gene and D-loop region were used as primary evidence that it was a new species in its original description. [3]

Distribution and habitat

Otto's sportive lemur is only known from dry deciduous forest at its type locality of Ambodimahabibo and three other nearby sites. The species is naturally bounded by the Mahajamba River in the west and the Sofia river in the north, beyond which other Lepilemur species occur. [1] [3] It's area of occurrence is estimated to be 3,770 km2. [1]

Threats and conservation

Otto's sportive lemur is severely threatened by forest degradation and conversion due to shifting agriculture, and hunting by humans. It is only known to occur in one protected area, the Forest Corridor of Bongolava. However, this area and the entire area of the species' occurrence has experienced severe deforestation and habitat fragmentation. [1] [3] Urgent research is needed to quantify population size and viability for the species. [1]

Related Research Articles

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

The Cheirogaleidae are the family of strepsirrhine primates containing the various dwarf and mouse lemurs. Like all other lemurs, cheirogaleids live exclusively on the island of Madagascar.

<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">Golden-brown mouse lemur</span> Species of lemur

The golden-brown mouse lemur, also known as the (Lac) Ravelobe mouse lemur, is part of the Cheirogaleidae family, and the smallest species of lemur. It is arboreal, nocturnal and usually social. It get its name from the color of its body. Like several other mouse lemurs, like the brown mouse lemur, it is a small primate that has a brown dorsal side and a whitish-grey for its ventral side of the body. All lemurs live in Madagascar. This species was discovered in 1994.

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

Milne-Edwards' sportive lemur, or Milne-Edwards' weasel lemur, is a species of lemur in the family Lepilemuridae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.

<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">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">Pariente's fork-marked lemur</span> Species of lemur

Pariente's fork-marked lemur, or the Sambirano fork-marked lemur, is a species of lemur endemic to the Sambirano region of north-western Madagascar. This lemur has light brown to gray upperparts, a prominent facial fork and dorsal stripe that runs from the tail's tip to the point where it splits on the lemur's head to rejoin at the nose, and a white-tipped tail. It is found in lowland and mid-altitude humid forests and is nocturnal. It is an omnivore, eating tree gum, sap, bud exudes, insects and larvae. It sleeps in nests that have been abandoned by other lemurs, particularly Coquerel's giant mouse lemur. This species is relatively unknown, though it is threatened by habitat destruction. It was previously considered a subspecies of the Masoala fork-marked lemur. It is listed on CITES Appendix I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mouse lemur</span> Genus of mammals

The mouse lemurs are nocturnal lemurs of the genus Microcebus. Like all lemurs, mouse lemurs are native to Madagascar.

<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. Like all members of its genus, it is solitary, nocturnal and largely folivorous. It is threatened by habitat loss and unsustainable hunting.

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

The Sahamalaza sportive lemur is a species of sportive lemur endemic to northern Madagascar.

<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">Randrianasolo's sportive lemur</span> Species of lemur

Randrianasolo's sportive lemur, or the Bemaraha sportive lemur, is a sportive lemur endemic to a small area of western Madagascar. It is threatened by habitat loss.

<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">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">Danfoss's mouse lemur</span> Species of lemur

Danfoss's mouse lemur, or the Ambarijeby mouse lemur, is a species of mouse lemur endemic to Madagascar. It lives in western deciduous forest within a limited range between the Sofia River and the Maevarano River. This species has been found in substantial populations in the Ambarijevy, Anjajavy, and Beanamaolo forests in Madagascar. Their lifespan is about 5 years but can live up to 10 years. They are part of the infraorder called lemuriformes which represents 20% of the entire primates diversity and over 60% of the mammalian genera of Madagascar.

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

Holland's sportive lemur, or the Mananara-Nord sportive lemur, is a sportive lemur that is endemic to Madagascar. It is one of 26 species in the genus Lepilemur. This lemur is found specifically in the Mananara-Nord Biosphere Reserve, but the limits of its habitat have yet to be determined. It lives in primary and secondary rainforests. Holland's sportive lemur was described in 2009.

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

Gerp's mouse lemur is a species of mouse lemur known only from the Sahafina Forest in eastern Madagascar, near Mantadia National Park. Its discovery was announced in 2012 by a German and Malagasy research team. The Sahafina Forest had not been studied until 2008 and 2009, when Groupe d'Étude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar (GERP)—a Malagasy-based research and conservation group for which the lemur is named—inventoried the forest's lemurs.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Radespiel, U.; Rakotondravony, R.; Randrianambinina, B.; Rasoloharijaona, S.; Wilmet, L. (2020). "Lepilemur otto". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T136796A115586218. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T136796A115586218.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. "Checklist of CITES Species". CITES. UNEP-WCMC. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Craul, M.; Zimmermann, E.; Rasoloharijaona, S.; Randrianambinina, B.; Radespiel, U. (2007). "Unexpected species diversity of Malagasy primates (Lepilemur spp.) in the same biogeographical zone: a morphological and molecular approach with the description of two new species". BMC Evolutionary Biology. 7 (1): 83. Bibcode:2007BMCEE...7...83C. doi: 10.1186/1471-2148-7-83 . PMC   1913500 . PMID   17540016.
  4. Lei, Runhua; Frasier, Cynthia L.; Hawkins, Melissa T. R.; Engberg, Shannon E.; Bailey, Carolyn A.; Johnson, Steig E.; McLain, Adam T.; Groves, Colin P.; Perry, George H.; Nash, Stephen D.; Mittermeier, Russell A.; Louis, Edward E. (2016-10-03). "Phylogenomic Reconstruction of Sportive Lemurs (genusLepilemur) Recovered from Mitogenomes with Inferences for Madagascar Biogeography". Journal of Heredity. 108 (2): 107–119. doi:10.1093/jhered/esw072. ISSN   0022-1503. PMID   28173059.