The lemur diversity of the Fiherenana - Manombo Complex, southwest Madagascar

Abstract

We conducted the first comprehensive lemur survey of the Fiherenana -Manombo Complex (Atsimo -Andrefana Region), site of PK32-Ranobe, a new protected area within the Madagascar Protected Area System. Our cross -seasonal surveys of three sites revealed the presence of eight lemur species representing seven genera and four families, of which three are diurnal and five are nocturnal species. Six species were only recorded espèces de lémuriens ne bénéficient alors d'aucune protection. Compte tenu des objectifs du SAPM et plus particulièrement de l'Objectif 1, à savoir 'Conserver l'ensemble de la biodiversité unique de Madagascar', nous estimons que la nouvelle aire protégée du PK32-Ranobe n'atteint pas ces objectifs et nous appuyons les efforts des promoteurs afin de re-délimiter l'aire protégée pour inclure les forêts riveraines ainsi que d'autres habitats importants pour la conservation des oiseaux et des reptiles localement endémiques.

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

“…For example, Gould and Sauther (2016) cite Gardner et al (2009) to state that ring-tailed lemurs are likely extirpated from the Fiheranana-Manombo Complex (PK32 Ranobe). However, Gardner et al (2009, p. 41) did record the species in both the Fiherenana and Manombo valleys and state: BOur failure to record [this] species elsewhere should therefore not be interpreted as implying their absence in other areas of the PA…^In addition, Gould and Sauther (2016) claim that there are three ring-tailed lemur groups in Nord-Ifotaka based on Semel and Ferguson (2013), although Semel and Ferguson (2013) was focused on characterizing the use of cliffs by lemurs, and not on surveying the ring-tailed lemur population.…”

Restating the Case for a Sharp Population Decline in Lemur catta

“…Gardner et al [2009] noted 4 individual L. catta in the entire PK-32 area (although they pointed out that this small number of observations does not constitute extirpation); however, according to the criteria of LaFleur et al [2017] and Gould and Sauther [2016], 4 individuals means, essentially, locally or near locally extinct. Furthermore, Gardner and Davies [2014, p. 10 , Table 1] stated that the species "no longer exists" in the PK-32 area.…”

“…Both LaFleur et al [2017] and Gould and Sauther [2016] cited Gardner et al [2009] among other authors [Gardner and Davies, 2014] to build a case that ringtailed lemurs have likely been extirpated from the region of PK-32-Ranobe over a period of about three decades. Gardner et al [2009] noted 4 individual L. catta in the entire PK-32 area (although they pointed out that this small number of observations does not constitute extirpation); however, according to the criteria of LaFleur et al [2017] and Gould and Sauther [2016], 4 individuals means, essentially, locally or near locally extinct.…”

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

“…Eulemur spp.). However, at the southern edge of the range of E. rufifrons (the red-fronted lemur) along the western coast of Madagascar, and in the northern reaches of the range of L. catta in this region, these species are (or quite recently were) sympatric [Sussman, 1972[Sussman, , 1974[Sussman, , 1987Gardner et al, 2009]. It is important to note that the taxonomy of Eulemur has dramatically changed since the work of Sussman in the 1970s, when most members of Eulemur (then Lemur) were considered subspecies of E. fulvus .…”

“…Today, the region where this ecological work was conducted on Eulemur , and where Ankilitelo is found, falls within the geographic range of E. rufifrons . Thus, species referred to as Lemur fulvus by Sussman [1972Sussman [ , 1974Sussman [ , 1987, E. fulvus rufus by Muldoon and Simons [2007] and E. rufus by Gardner et al [2009] are referred to herein as E. rufifrons , following the most recent IUCN summary of the Eulemur species which inhabits Madagascar's southwestern range of the genus (http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/136269/0). The presence of L. catta and E. rufifrons (primarily identified based on dental features [Muldoon et al, 2009]) in the Ankilitelo assemblage represents one of the southernmost locations where these lemurid species were found in sympatry [Muldoon and Simons, 2007].…”