Predation, Communication, and Cognition in Lemurs

Scheumann, Marina; Rabesandratana, Andriatahiana; Zimmermann, Elke

doi:10.1007/978-0-387-34810-0_5

Cited by 50 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…The results accord with those obtained on Propithecus in other spiny forest habitats such as Kirindy, where they direct growls to both aerial (Polyboroides) and terrestrial predators (Cryptoprocta, Canis), but direct roars solely at the aerial predators (Fichtel and Kappeler, 2002). Thus Propithecus appear to have developed antipredator strategies that reduce the risk of being attacked and that are specific to the perceptual abilities and hunting styles of terrestrial and aerial predators (Scheumann et al 2007).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Evidence of Invasive Felis silvestris Predation on Propithecus verreauxi at Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve, Madagascar

et al. 2008

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Increasing evidence supports the idea that endemic avian and mammalian predators have profoundly impacted primate populations in Madagascar (Goodman, S. M. Predation on lemurs. In S. M. Goodman, & J. P. Benstead (Eds.), The natural history of Madagascar (pp. 1221-1228). Chicago: University of Chicago Press, (2003).). The role in regulating lemur populations of the 3 introduced mammalian carnivorans -small Indian civets (Viverricula indica, Desmarest 1804), domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris, Linnaeus 1758), and invasive wildcats (Felis silvestris, Schreber 1775)-is less clear, but recent evidence suggests that the latter 2 are becoming important predators of diurnal lemurs. We report evidence for invasive wildcat predation on sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi) in Parcel 1 at Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve, Madagascar, including skeletal remains of apparent Propithecus sifaka victims, observations of wildcat predatory behavior, and behavioral responses of the lemurs in the presence of wildcats.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Evidence of Invasive Felis silvestris Predation on Propithecus verreauxi at Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve, Madagascar

et al. 2008

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“…In a study on feeding ecology [Ganzhorn, 1988], weasel sportive lemurs were observed foraging solitarily, feeding on leaves, flowers and fruits. Known predators of weasel lemurs are boas, nocturnal and diurnal raptors, and the largest Malagasy carnivore, the fossa [Goodman, 2003;Scheumann et al, 2007].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sleeping site ecology in a rain‐forest dwelling nocturnal lemur (Lepilemur mustelinus): implications for sociality and conservation

Rasoloharijaona

Randrianambinina

Zimmermann

2007

American J Primatol

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Suitable sleeping sites as potentially restricted resources are suggested to shape sociality in primates. We investigated sleeping site ecology of a rain-forest dwelling sportive lemur in eastern Madagascar for the first time. Using radiotelemetry, we characterized the type, quality and usage of sleeping sites as well as social sleeping habits of 11 focal individuals of the weasel sportive lemur (Lepilemur mustelinus) during the dry and the onset of the rainy season. Morphometric measurements provided additional information. The sexes showed an unusual sexual dimorphism for primates. Males and females did not differ in body length, but females surpassed males in body mass suggesting female dominance. Both sexes used dense vegetation and holes in hollow trees high above the ground as shelters for sleeping during the day. No sex difference in the quality of tree holes was found, but focal individuals used tree holes more often than open sleeping sites in dense vegetation. Both sexes showed high sleeping site fidelity limited to two to six different sites that they used primarily solitarily. The results imply that suitable sleeping sites are limited and survival of this species will strongly depend on the availability of mature rain forests with suitable hollow trees. Furthermore, these findings provide evidence of a solitary sleeping and ranging system in this rain-forest dwelling sportive lemur with suitable sleeping sites as defendable resources.

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“…This seemed to be the case especially for the higher nests which were hidden from view by lianas or epiphytes. As a last resort, the loud and noisy grunt heard in the hairy-eared dwarf lemur and in other cheirogaleids in response to a disturbance in their nests could startle a predator trying to break into the tree hole [Scheumann et al, 2007]. Individuals used large live trees which are known to have better insulating properties than small dead trees [Radespiel, 1998;Schmid, 1998;Lahann, 2008].…”

Section: Tree Hole Functionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tree Hole Utilisation by the Hairy-Eared Dwarf Lemur (Allocebus trichotis) in Analamazaotra Special Reserve

Biebouw¹,

Bearder²,

Nekaris³

2009

IJFP

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In this study we describe tree hole characteristics and use by the hairy-eared dwarf lemur (Allocebus trichotis) to determine habitat needs, potential functions of tree holes and sleeping group composition. We radio-tracked 6 adult individuals between April and November 2007 in the Analamazaotra Special Reserve. Tree holes were 1–9 m high (median: 7 m), in living trees measuring 26–54 cm in diameter at breast height (median: 32 cm), and could be a limiting resource. Each individual used 4 or 5 tree holes and had high nest fidelity. Animals most often slept socially in mixed-sex groups of 2–6 individuals and occasionally shared a tree hole with white-tailed tree rats (Brachytarsomys albicauda). We identified two sleeping groups: one composed of 2 adult males, 2 adult females and 2 juveniles; one composed of at least 2 adult females and 2 juveniles. Although tree holes were generally group exclusive, some intergroup sleeping was observed. Tree holes could have antipredator and thermoregulatory functions. Further research into sleeping hole availability, nest use and the degree of niche separation or competition between sympatric Cheirogaleidae and other tree hole users (e.g. endemic rodents) is needed to assess better the conservation needs of these species.

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Predation, Communication, and Cognition in Lemurs

Cited by 50 publications

References 63 publications

Evidence of Invasive Felis silvestris Predation on Propithecus verreauxi at Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve, Madagascar

Evidence of Invasive Felis silvestris Predation on Propithecus verreauxi at Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve, Madagascar

Sleeping site ecology in a rain‐forest dwelling nocturnal lemur (Lepilemur mustelinus): implications for sociality and conservation

Tree Hole Utilisation by the Hairy-Eared Dwarf Lemur (Allocebus trichotis) in Analamazaotra Special Reserve

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