Condensed Tannin Intake in Spiny-Forest-Dwelling Lemur catta at Berenty Reserve, Madagascar, during Reproductive Periods

Abstract

Primates vary in their choice or avoidance of plant foods high in condensed tannins (CT). Our study focused on CT intake in two groups of Lemur catta residing in spiny forest habitat during two reproductive periods. We examined whether L. catta in this habitat avoided plant foods high in CT, and whether reproductive females ingested lower concentrations of CT compared with males, since CT consumption compromises protein absorption. Feeding data and plant food samples were collected during reproductive periods in 2006 (early/mid-lactation) and 2007 (early gestation). Food samples were assayed for CT content, and average CT intake was determined for all focal animals. No significant difference was found in CT content of the most commonly consumed foods compared with other foods in each season or between seasons. No sex differences occurred in CT consumption in either reproductive period. These L. catta did not avoid plant foods high in CT, and three strategies – ingesting small amounts of CT regularly, high amounts only over short periods, and geophagy – may assist these lemurs in coping with CT content in their highly seasonal diet. L. catta may also be somewhat physiologically adapted to cope with CT concentrations in their plant foods.

Why all those spines? Anachronistic defences in the Didiereoideae against now extinct lemurs

“…21,22 However, because most of the lemur species included in our analyses are, or were, predominantly herbivorous, we do not believe our results are confounded by the effects of faunivory on nitrogen isotope values. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] The two possible exceptions are Archaeolemur majori (whose diet likely included some animal matter) and Daubentonia robusta. Extant D. madagascariensis consumes more animal matter than any of the other lemurs included in our study 33 and it is likely that the extinct D. robusta, which lived in the southwest, would have had a similar diet.…”

“…However, recent research has documented significant CAM consumption by individuals living in dry or spiny forest at Berenty, Beza Mahafaly, Cap Sainte Marie and Tsimanampetsotsa. 24,28,32,50 Loudon et al 50 and Gould et al 32 estimate 15% CAM consumption for L. catta living in spiny forest at Tsimanampetsotsa and Berenty Reserve, respectively. Consumption of CAM resources by L. catta at Cap Sainte Marie can be >75% during some months.…”

“…These values are slightly higher than CAM consumption estimates for P. verreauxi and L. catta living today in gallery forest, 27 but they are not as high as values for L. catta in dry forest at coastal localities in the south. 28,32,50 Importantly, substantial CAM consumption by modern lemurs, even at coastal localities, is a seasonal phenomenon. 28 Because isotope values in bone collagen integrate several years of dietary input, 21 (Table 3; Supplementary table 3).…”

Variations in behavioural patterns between Lemur catta groups living in different forest types: implications for conservation

“…Although L. catta occur in these varied habitats, the majority of L. catta behavioural and population ecology field studies have been conducted in riverine gallery forests (e.g. Jolly 1966, Sussman 1974, Gould 1990, 1996a,b, 1997a,b, Sauther 1993, 1994, 1998, Nakamichi & Koyama 1997, Koyama et al 2001, Jolly et al 2002, but see Gould et al 2009). Little research has focused on populations in other habitats, although non-gallery forest research is beginning to occur at a few sites, including sub-alpine ericoid bush (Goodman & Langrand 1996, Goodman & Rasolonandrasana 2001, spiny forest (Gould et al 2009, 2011 and rocky outcrop forests surrounded by anthropogenic crop production (Gould et al 2010, A. Cameron & L. Gould unpubl.…”

Patterns of Dental Macrowear in Subfossil Lemur catta from Ankilitelo Cave, Madagascar: Indications of Ecology and Habitat Use over Time

“…Until recent years, ring-tailed lemurs had only been studied in the tamarind-dominated, riverine forests of southern Madagascar [Sauther et al, 1999;Jolly et al, 2006]; thus, it was unclear how habitat variation affected ring-tailed lemur tooth wear in other environments. Recent years have witnessed an expansion of ring-tailed lemur behavioral and socioecological study into the dry brush and spiny forests of Madagascar's south and southwest [Sauther and Cuozzo, 2008;Gould et al, 2009Gould et al, , 2011Kelley, 2011;LaFleur, 2012;Cuozzo and Sauther, 2012b;Sauther et al, 2013] and the fragmented habitats of the island's central plateau at the northern edge of L. catta 's range [Cameron and Gould, 2013;Gabriel, 2013].…”