Wright's sportive lemur

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Wright's sportive lemur
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. wrighti
Binomial name
Lepilemur wrighti
Louis et al.., 2006
Lepilemur wrightae range map.svg
Distribution of L. wrighti
Synonyms
  • L. wrightae

Wright's sportive lemur (Lepilemur wrighti), or the Kalambatritra sportive lemur, [3] is a sportive lemur endemic to Madagascar. Like all members of its genus, it is nocturnal and largely folivorous. Unlike all other members of Lepilemur, it displays visible sexual dimorphism. It is threatened by habitat loss. [3] [1]

Contents

Taxonomy and phylogenetics

Wright's sportive lemur was described in 2006 based on genetic samples and morphometrics collected in 2003 and 2004 as Lepilemur wrighti. [4] The name was presumed to be incorrectly formed and was corrected in 2009 to Lepilemur wrightae. [5] However, this change was deemed to be an unjustified emendation. [6] The specific epithet wrighti honors the conservationist and primatologist Patricia Wright. [4]

Genetic analyses show Wright's sportive lemur to be an outgroup to a clade of eastern Lepilemur containing Fleurete's sportive lemur, the Betsileo sportive lemur, James' sportive lemur, and the weasel sportive lemur. [7]

Description

Wright's sportive lemur displays sexually dimorphic coloration, unique among members of Lepilemur. Both sexes have a diffuse, reddish-brown and gray back with a lighter grayish-brown underside. The female displays a sharply contrasting, uniformly gray head, whereas the male's head is similar in coloration to the rest of the upper body. Some females may possess a slight color change around the face that forms a mask-like appearance. The ears in both sexes show minimal furring and are pale. [3] [4]

Wright's sportive lemur is relatively large for its genus. The head-body length is 24–26 cm (9.4–10.2 in) and the tail length is 25–26 cm (9.8–10.2 in), making the total length 49–52 cm (19–20 in). It weighs 950–1,100 g (34–39 oz). [3] [4]

Distribution and habitat

Wright's sportive lemur is found in southeastern Madagascar, where it is only known from Kalambatritra Special Reserve [4] and the unprotected Beakora Forest. [8] Its population density has been estimated to be 18.52-72 individuals/km2 in Kalambatritra and 6 individuals/km2 in Beakora. [8] Additionally, its estimated extent of occurrence is 874 km2. [1]

Within its range, Wright's sportive lemur inhabits mid-altitude rainforest. Like other species of Lepilemur, sleeping sites are holes in large trees. Groups of one to three individuals have been seen foraging together, and the species is known to defecate in communal latrines. [3]

Threats and conservation

Wright's sportive lemur was listed as an endangered species by the IUCN in 2020 due to ongoing habitat loss. [1] Factors causing and contributing to the species' decline include wildfires lit by humans to clear areas for cattle grazing and illegal activities such as marijuana cultivation and cattle rustling. As of 2022, the species was not being held in captivity. [3]

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

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

<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. 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">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">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">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">Otto's sportive lemur</span> Species of lemur

Otto's sportive lemur, 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.

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 3 4 Wright, P.; Hearthstone, E.; Andrianoely, D.; Donohue, M.E. (2020). "Lepilemur wrightae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T136311A115582103. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T136311A115582103.en .
  2. "Checklist of CITES Species". CITES. UNEP-WCMC. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mittermeier, Russell; Reuter, Kim; Rylands, Anthony; Louis, Edward; Ratsimbazafy, Jonah; Rene de Roland, Lily-Arison; Langrand, Olivier; Schwitzer, Christoph; Johnson, Steig (2023). Lemurs of Madagascar (5th ed.). Re:wild. ISBN   978-1737285168.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Louis, Edward E. (2006). Molecular and morphological analyses of the sportive lemurs (Family Megaladapidae: Genus Lepilemur) reveals 11 previously unrecognized species. Lubbock, TX: Museum of Texas Tech University. ISBN   978-1-929330-10-2.
  5. Hoffmann, Michael; Grubb, Peter; Groves, Colin P.; Hutterer, Rainer; Straeten, Erik Van Der; Simmons, Nancy; Bergmans, Wim (2009-08-21). "A synthesis of African and western Indian Ocean Island mammal taxa (Class: Mammalia) described between 1988 and 2008: an update to Allen (1939) and Ansell (1989)". Zootaxa. 2205 (1): 1–36. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.2205.1.1. ISSN   1175-5334.
  6. "Lepilemur wrighti (id=1001037)". ASM Mammal Diversity Database. 1.13. American Society of Mammalogists . Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  7. 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.
  8. 1 2 Rakotonirina, Laingoniaina (2017). "Lemurs and bamboos of Kalambatritra, south-east Madagascar". Lemur News. 20: 34–37.