A Preliminary Estimate of Lemur catta Population Density Using Satellite Imagery

Sussman, Robert W.; Sweeney, Sean; Green, Glen M.; Porton, Ingrid; Andrianasolondraibe, O. L.; Ratsirarson, Joelisoa

doi:10.1007/978-0-387-34126-2_2

Cited by 20 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Rather, we believe that both studies have likely greatly overstated the severity of the species' decline. LaFleur et al (2017) suggest there may have been a 95% decline in the ring-tailed lemur population since 2000 by comparing their estimate to that of Sussman et al (2006). However, both Sussman et al (2006, p. 17) and LaFleur et al (2017, p. 320) characterize their estimates as Bpreliminary.^Given the numerous caveats associated with both studies and their use of very different methods, the figure of 95% decline cannot be considered valid or reliable.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Estimates of Ring-Tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) Population Declines are Methodologically Flawed and Misleading

Murphy

Ferguson²,

Gardner

2017

Int J Primatol

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Conserving and managing threatened species requires accurate population estimates. Recently, LaFleur et al. (2017) and Gould and Sauther (2016) attempted to estimate the size of the extant population of ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) based on rapid field assessments and published counts from 32 and 34 sites, respectively, and estimated there to be fewer than 2500 ring-tailed lemurs remaining in the wild (Gould and Sauther 2016: 2000-2400 individuals; LaFleur et al. 2017: 2200 individuals). However, both studies have likely severely underestimated the size of the extant ring-tailed lemur population because of a range of methodological problems. Specifically, 1) the population status of several sites was misinterpreted from the literature, 2) population estimates for several important sites are incomplete or lacking, and 3) total population estimates are based on an incomplete sample of known populations. Misinterpretation of the LiteratureBoth studies depend primarily on published records; however, the data on presence and/or abundance of ring-tailed lemurs extracted from prior studies were misinterpreted or Int J Primatol (2017) 38:623-628

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Estimates of Ring-Tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) Population Declines are Methodologically Flawed and Misleading

Murphy

Ferguson²,

Gardner

2017

Int J Primatol

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“…Alternatively, the estimate could include animals that have been extirpated very recently, and thus be inflated. Given that the previous estimates for individual wild ring-tailed lemurs were 2 orders of magnitude larger (i.e., 751,251 [Sussman et al, 2006]), we are confident that there has been a rapid decrease in the numbers of animals living in the wild in Madagascar. Though we acknowledge that both ours and the population estimates of Sussman et al [2006] were calculated with caveats, this sharp decline is concerning.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ring-tailed lemurs' historical range covers roughly 100,000 km 2 throughout southern Madagascar, although this generalized estimate includes both habitable (e.g., forested) and uninhabitable (e.g., rivers, cities) areas [Sussman et al, 2006]. The sites assessed here covered the habitable area of approximately 33,208 km 2 ( Table 1 ).…”

Section: Parameters Of the Data Setmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…L. catta is found at locations outside of these 32 known sites [Goodman et al, 2006, map approx. 100 records of wild populations of L. catta ); however, these 32 sites likely comprise the largest remaining populations of L. catta , as many of the previously mentioned "known" sites are now deforested or devoid of animals [Sussman et al, 2006;Gardner and Davies, 2014].…”

Section: Estimating Population Numbers At Known Sitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These lemurs are characterized by their behavioural flexibility, in that their sociality (e.g., dominance/rank relationships, aggression) and activity budgets vary according to environmental conditions , and ecological plasticity, in that they can inhabit a plethora of habitat types [Goodman et al, 2006] and rebound from environmental perturbations . The first large-scale population estimates of wild ring-tailed lemur habitats and individuals estimated a 9.5% habitat and 20% population decrease between 1985 and 2000 (population estimated at 751,251 in the year 2000 [Sussman et al, 2006]). Since then, census attempts of specific sites have continued [e.g., Kelley, 2013;Dimilahy et al, 2015;Gould and Andrianomena, 2015], yielding evidence of localized ring-tailed lemur extinctions [Gardner and Davies, 2014] and a suspected population decline rate of over 50% over a 3-generation period [Andriaholinirina et al, 2014].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Rapid Decrease in Populations of Wild Ring-Tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta) in Madagascar

LaFleur

Clarke²,

Reuter³

et al. 2017

IJFP

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Lemurs are the most threatened group of mammals on earth. Lemur catta (ring-tailed lemur) represents one of the most iconic lemur species and faces numerous anthropogenic threats in the wild. In this study, we present population estimates from 32 sites across the range of L. catta, collected from primary and secondary data sources, to assess the number of ring-tailed lemurs left in the wild. We estimate that there are approximately 2,220 individual L. catta remaining in the 32 sites considered. We note local extinctions of populations of L. catta in at least 12 of the 32 sites examined, and that significantly more extinctions occurred in areas without some form of protection. This decrease in extant populations could represent a decrease of more than 95% of all ring-tailed lemurs in Madagascar since the year 2000. While these results should be considered preliminary, we stress the rapid decline of the species and note that habitat loss, bushmeat hunting and the illegal pet trade are driving populations to local extinction. Based on the data presented here, urgent and immediate funding and conservation action are crucial to ensure the viability of the remaining wild populations of ring-tailed lemurs.

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Lemurs in a complex landscape: mapping species density in subtropical dry forests of southwestern Madagascar using data at multiple levels

Axel

Maurer

2010

American J Primatol

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The study of southern dry forest lemurs has been largely restricted to small reserves; yet, the majority of the region's lemur populations reside outside protected areas. Lemur catta and Propithecus verreauxi occupy the same forests but have different dietary preferences. This study assessed L. catta and P. verreauxi population densities across a 3-km dry forest gradient (1,539 ha) in southern Madagascar. The study was designed to allow lemur densities to be related to particular forest types. A particular aim of this study was to collect lemur data in both protected and unprotected areas. Density estimates were calculated using point transect distance sampling in a study area that contained the Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve and the adjacent disturbed forests. The highest densities recorded for each species were in the protected area where the two species were most segregated in their distribution, with L. catta density highest in gallery forest type and P. verreauxi density highest in dry deciduous. Densities of both species varied widely outside the protected area, but P. verreauxi density was more uniform than was L. catta. Results of this study indicate that patterns of lemur density in protected areas are not representative of patterns in disturbed forests; this also suggests that we cannot fully understand the ecological constraints facing primate species by studying them only in protected areas. This research highlights the value of pairing the study of landscape-level patterns of species distribution with both local ground-level ecological interpretations and broad-scale satellite data; information from only one level may give an incomplete view of the community.

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A Preliminary Estimate of Lemur catta Population Density Using Satellite Imagery

Cited by 20 publications

References 6 publications

Recent Estimates of Ring-Tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) Population Declines are Methodologically Flawed and Misleading

Recent Estimates of Ring-Tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) Population Declines are Methodologically Flawed and Misleading

Rapid Decrease in Populations of Wild Ring-Tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta) in Madagascar

Lemurs in a complex landscape: mapping species density in subtropical dry forests of southwestern Madagascar using data at multiple levels

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