The northern sportive lemur (Lepilemur septentrionalis), 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.[1]
The genus Lepilemur was initially thought to comprise only 2 species: L. mustelinus and L. ruficaudatus, with the latter subdivided into 2 subspecies.[4] The genus was later reclassified as having only 1 species, mustelinus, with 5 subspecies.[5] In 1977, Petter et al. increased the species number of the genus to 7, at which point the species L. septentrionalis was demarcated, and classified as having 4 subspecies.[6] As 2 of these subspecies were not geographically distinct, the number of L. septentrionalis subspecies was eventually condensed to 2: L. s. septentrionalis and L. s. ankaranensis.[7] As a result of subsequent cytogenetic and molecular analyses, the 7 species of Lepilemur were confirmed by Rumpler et al., but the L. s. ankarensis subspecies was elevated to the status of full species, resulting in 8 species of lemur classified within the genus.[8] A further three molecular genetic studies have led to the inclusion of another 15 species of Lepilemur, making it the most diverse lemur genus at 23 species.[9][10] In 2004, a study of the evolutionary relationships of various subpopulations of the northern sportive lemur was carried out, in which sequence analyses of the mitochondrial DNA of a large number of L. septentrionalis individuals from the different subpopulations were performed. A significant number of fixed differences present in the lemurs in the Sahafary region distinguished them from the lemurs in other regions, suggesting that the northern sportive lemur in fact exists as two separate cryptic species, most likely caused by chromosomal rearrangements in one of the L. septentrionalisevolutionary lineages.[11]
Description
L. septentrionalis is a sportive lemur, so named due to the boxing-like stance assumed by the lemur when threatened.[12] Northern sportive lemurs grow to a height of around 53 cm (21 in). They have a head and body length and tail length averaging at 25 and 28 cm (9.8 and 11.0 in) respectively, and weigh an average of 0.7 to 0.8 kg (1.5 to 1.8 lb).[13] Their diminutive size makes them one of the smallest species in the genus Lepilemur. Their ears are also relatively less prominent than in the other Lepilemur species. They have a grey underside and their fur coat is a grey-brown colour, which is darkest at the crown and moves down the dorsal line in a dark grey stripe, ending in the rump and the hind limbs as a paler grey.[13] The lemurs often adopt an upright vertical posture, using enlarged and fleshy digital pads on their hands and feet to cling tightly to tree branches. The lemurs can leap from this vertical position, making them an agile arboreal species.[14] Their forward-facing large eyes give the lemurs binocular vision.[13]
Distribution and habitat
The northern sportive lemur inhabits a highly restricted range in Northern Madagascar. The species is located from the left bank of the Loky River to the coast.[15] The natural habitat of the species consists of small patches of deciduous forests north of the Irodo River,[16] near the villages of Madirobe and Ankarongana in the Sahafary region and in the immediate vicinity of Andrahona, which is a small mountain that arises out lowlands south of Antsiranana.[17]
Behaviour
The northern sportive lemur is nocturnal, foraging for food at night and sleeping in the day. The lemurs sleep in holes or dense foliage in trees ranging from 1 to 8 metres (3.3 to 26.2 ft). Females will leave their young on a branch when foraging for food. Males are solitary and territorial, and their territories often overlap with many female home ranges. Male lemurs will aggressively defend their territories in the mating season. The male is generally thought to be loosely polygynous,[14] but it has been suggested that males can be monogamous.[18]L. septentrionalis individuals communicate through chemical communication in the form of latrine behaviour to mark territory, as well as vocal communication (calls). There are two main calls: a loud crow-like call and a contact rejection call. The loud call is used by the lemurs to reveal their presence and territorial claims to other individuals.[14] The contact rejection call is a series of resonant hisses followed by a two-phase vocalisation, most commonly heard when two individuals approach each other in the wild. The contact rejection call is also heard when conspecifics come into contact with each other in captivity, at which point they may also strike each other with their hands.[19]
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Once per year
April to August
1
120 to 150 days
4 months
1 year
18 months
18 months
Ecology
The northern sportive lemur is a foliovorous species, though they will also eat fruits and flowers to supplement their diet. Similarly to the other sportive lemurs, L. septentrionalis is caecotrophic, consuming its own faeces to digest food for a second time.[15] The species have large bacteria-filled ceca, which helps them to digest plant matter such as cellulose and break it down into sugars and starches.
Conservation
The northern sportive lemur is preyed on by the native Malagasy tree boa, which hunts the lemurs while they are sleeping in tree holes. Large birds of prey, Falconiformes and Strigiformes, are also natural predators of the lemurs. Along with these ecological threats, the arboreal lemur species are also highly threatened by human charcoal production, which still continues to remove the only remaining forest habitat of the lemurs, greatly restricting their range. L. septentrionalis is also illegally hunted as bushmeat.[12] This combination of threats has severely reduced the population of the lemurs to only a few hundred individuals, as estimated by the IUCN Red List.[1] They are classified as Critically Endangered under the IUCN Red List and are listed on CITES Appendix I, which only permits their trade in exceptional circumstances.[20] The known habitat range of the lemurs does not overlap with any protected areas, and although the Andrahona Forest is considered sacred in Madagascar, it shows signs of human incursion.[1]
References
^ abcdeLouis, E.E.; Bailey, C.A.; Frasier, C.L.; Sefczek, T.M.; Raharivololona, B.; Schwitzer, C.; Ratsimbazafy, J.; Wilmet, L.; Andriajaona, A.; Rasoamazava, L.; Rakotomalala, V.F.; Dinsmore, M. (2020). "Lepilemur septentrionalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T11622A115567059. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T11622A115567059.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
^"Checklist of CITES Species". CITES. UNEP-WCMC. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
^Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 118. ISBN0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
^Schwarz, Ernst (21 August 2009). "20. A Revision of the Genera and Species of Madagascar Lemuridae". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 101 (2): 399–428. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1931.tb01020.x.
^Petter, J. J.; Petter-Rousseaux, A. (1960). "Remarques Sur La Systématique du Genre Lepilemur". Mammalia. 24 (1). doi:10.1515/mamm.1960.24.1.76. S2CID 83740368.
^Petter, Jean-Jacques; et al. (1992). Le Génie animal. Paris: Nathan. ISBN2-09-241042-3.
^Groves, Colin (2001). Primate taxonomy. Washington [u.a.]: Smithsonian Inst. Press. ISBN978-1560988724.
^Rumpler, Yves; Prosper; Hauwy, Marcel; Rabarivola, Clément; Rakotoarisoa, Gilbert; Dutrillaux, Bernard (2002). "Chromosomal evolution of the Hapalemur griseus subspecies (Malagasy Prosimian), including a new chromosomal polymorphic cytotype". Chromosome Research. 10 (2): 145–153. doi:10.1023/A:1014953202718. PMID 11993935. S2CID 23728128.
^Louis Jr, Edward E; et al. (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. ISBN1-929330-10-3.
^Rabarivola, C.; Zaramody, A.; Fausser, J.-L.; Andriaholinirina, N.; Roos, C.; Zinner, D.; et al. (2006). "Cytogenetic and molecular characteristics of a new species of sportive lemur from northern Madagascar" (PDF). Lemur News. 11: 45–49.
^Ravaoarimanana, IB; Tiedemann, R; Montagnon, D; Rumpler, Y (May 2004). "Molecular and cytogenetic evidence for cryptic speciation within a rare endemic Malagasy lemur, the Northern Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur septentrionalis)". Molecular Phylogenetics & Evolution. 31 (2): 440–8. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2003.08.020. PMID 15062786.
^ abGarbutt, Nick (2007). Mammals of Madagascar : a complete guide ([Rev.] ed.). New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN978-0300125504.
^ abcTattersall, Ian (1982). The primates of Madagascar. New York: Columbia Univ. Pr. ISBN0231047045.
^ abcFleagle, John G. (2013). Primate adaptation and evolution (3rd ed.). Amsterdam: Elsevier/Academic Press. ISBN978-0123786326.
^ abRatsirarson, J. (1987). Contribution a l'etude comparative de l'eco-ethologie de Lemur catta dans deux habitats differents de la Reserve Speciale de Beza-Mahafaly. Universite de Madagascar.
^Thornback, compiled by [for] the World Conservation Monitoring Centre by Caroline Harcourt with assistance from Jane (1990). Lemurs of Madagascar and the Comoros. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. ISBN2880329574.
^Mittermeier, Russell A.; Ganzhorn, Jörg U.; Konstant, William R.; Glander, Kenneth; Tattersall, Ian; Groves, Colin P.; Rylands, Anthony B.; Hapke, Andreas; Ratsimbazafy, Jonah; Mayor, Mireya I.; Louis, Edward E.; Rumpler, Yves; Schwitzer, Christoph; Rasoloarison, Rodin M. (4 December 2008). "Lemur Diversity in Madagascar". International Journal of Primatology. 29 (6): 1607–1656. doi:10.1007/s10764-008-9317-y. hdl:10161/6237. S2CID 17614597.
^Jolly, Alison (1998). "Pair-Bonding, Female Aggression and the Evolution of Lemur Societies". Folia Primatologica. 69 (Suppl. 1): 1–13. doi:10.1159/000052693. PMID 9595685. S2CID 46767773.
^Martin, R.D.; Doyle, G.A., eds. (1979). The Study of prosimian behavior. New York: Academic Press. ISBN978-0122221507.
^"Appendices I, II and III". CITES. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
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northern, sportive, lemur, northern, sportive, lemur, lepilemur, septentrionalis, also, known, sahafary, sportive, lemur, northern, weasel, lemur, species, lemur, family, lepilemuridae, endemic, madagascar, result, severe, ecological, human, pressures, lemur, . The northern sportive lemur Lepilemur septentrionalis 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 1 Northern sportive lemurConservation statusCritically Endangered IUCN 3 1 1 CITES Appendix I CITES 2 Scientific classificationKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass MammaliaOrder PrimatesSuborder StrepsirrhiniFamily LepilemuridaeGenus LepilemurSpecies L septentrionalisBinomial nameLepilemur septentrionalisRumpler amp Albignac 1975 3 Distribution of L septentrionalis 1 Synonymssahafarensis Rumpler amp Albignac 1975 Contents 1 Taxonomy 2 Description 3 Distribution and habitat 4 Behaviour 5 Ecology 6 Conservation 7 References 8 External linksTaxonomy EditThe genus Lepilemur was initially thought to comprise only 2 species L mustelinus and L ruficaudatus with the latter subdivided into 2 subspecies 4 The genus was later reclassified as having only 1 species mustelinus with 5 subspecies 5 In 1977 Petter et al increased the species number of the genus to 7 at which point the species L septentrionalis was demarcated and classified as having 4 subspecies 6 As 2 of these subspecies were not geographically distinct the number of L septentrionalis subspecies was eventually condensed to 2 L s septentrionalis and L s ankaranensis 7 As a result of subsequent cytogenetic and molecular analyses the 7 species of Lepilemur were confirmed by Rumpler et al but the L s ankarensis subspecies was elevated to the status of full species resulting in 8 species of lemur classified within the genus 8 A further three molecular genetic studies have led to the inclusion of another 15 species of Lepilemur making it the most diverse lemur genus at 23 species 9 10 In 2004 a study of the evolutionary relationships of various subpopulations of the northern sportive lemur was carried out in which sequence analyses of the mitochondrial DNA of a large number of L septentrionalis individuals from the different subpopulations were performed A significant number of fixed differences present in the lemurs in the Sahafary region distinguished them from the lemurs in other regions suggesting that the northern sportive lemur in fact exists as two separate cryptic species most likely caused by chromosomal rearrangements in one of the L septentrionalis evolutionary lineages 11 Description EditL septentrionalis is a sportive lemur so named due to the boxing like stance assumed by the lemur when threatened 12 Northern sportive lemurs grow to a height of around 53 cm 21 in They have a head and body length and tail length averaging at 25 and 28 cm 9 8 and 11 0 in respectively and weigh an average of 0 7 to 0 8 kg 1 5 to 1 8 lb 13 Their diminutive size makes them one of the smallest species in the genus Lepilemur Their ears are also relatively less prominent than in the other Lepilemur species They have a grey underside and their fur coat is a grey brown colour which is darkest at the crown and moves down the dorsal line in a dark grey stripe ending in the rump and the hind limbs as a paler grey 13 The lemurs often adopt an upright vertical posture using enlarged and fleshy digital pads on their hands and feet to cling tightly to tree branches The lemurs can leap from this vertical position making them an agile arboreal species 14 Their forward facing large eyes give the lemurs binocular vision 13 Distribution and habitat EditThe northern sportive lemur inhabits a highly restricted range in Northern Madagascar The species is located from the left bank of the Loky River to the coast 15 The natural habitat of the species consists of small patches of deciduous forests north of the Irodo River 16 near the villages of Madirobe and Ankarongana in the Sahafary region and in the immediate vicinity of Andrahona which is a small mountain that arises out lowlands south of Antsiranana 17 Behaviour EditThe northern sportive lemur is nocturnal foraging for food at night and sleeping in the day The lemurs sleep in holes or dense foliage in trees ranging from 1 to 8 metres 3 3 to 26 2 ft Females will leave their young on a branch when foraging for food Males are solitary and territorial and their territories often overlap with many female home ranges Male lemurs will aggressively defend their territories in the mating season The male is generally thought to be loosely polygynous 14 but it has been suggested that males can be monogamous 18 L septentrionalis individuals communicate through chemical communication in the form of latrine behaviour to mark territory as well as vocal communication calls There are two main calls a loud crow like call and a contact rejection call The loud call is used by the lemurs to reveal their presence and territorial claims to other individuals 14 The contact rejection call is a series of resonant hisses followed by a two phase vocalisation most commonly heard when two individuals approach each other in the wild The contact rejection call is also heard when conspecifics come into contact with each other in captivity at which point they may also strike each other with their hands 19 Breeding interval Breeding season Average number of offspring Range gestation period Average weaning age Average time to independence Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity female Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity male Once per year April to August 1 120 to 150 days 4 months 1 year 18 months 18 monthsEcology EditThe northern sportive lemur is a foliovorous species though they will also eat fruits and flowers to supplement their diet Similarly to the other sportive lemurs L septentrionalis is caecotrophic consuming its own faeces to digest food for a second time 15 The species have large bacteria filled ceca which helps them to digest plant matter such as cellulose and break it down into sugars and starches Conservation EditThe northern sportive lemur is preyed on by the native Malagasy tree boa which hunts the lemurs while they are sleeping in tree holes Large birds of prey Falconiformes and Strigiformes are also natural predators of the lemurs Along with these ecological threats the arboreal lemur species are also highly threatened by human charcoal production which still continues to remove the only remaining forest habitat of the lemurs greatly restricting their range L septentrionalis is also illegally hunted as bushmeat 12 This combination of threats has severely reduced the population of the lemurs to only a few hundred individuals as estimated by the IUCN Red List 1 They are classified as Critically Endangered under the IUCN Red List and are listed on CITES Appendix I which only permits their trade in exceptional circumstances 20 The known habitat range of the lemurs does not overlap with any protected areas and although the Andrahona Forest is considered sacred in Madagascar it shows signs of human incursion 1 References Edit a b c d e Louis E E Bailey C A Frasier C L Sefczek T M Raharivololona B Schwitzer C Ratsimbazafy J Wilmet L Andriajaona A Rasoamazava L Rakotomalala V F Dinsmore M 2020 Lepilemur septentrionalis IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020 e T11622A115567059 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2020 2 RLTS T11622A115567059 en Retrieved 17 November 2021 Checklist of CITES Species CITES UNEP WCMC Retrieved 18 March 2015 Groves C P 2005 Wilson D E Reeder D M eds Mammal Species of the World A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference 3rd ed Baltimore Johns Hopkins University Press p 118 ISBN 0 801 88221 4 OCLC 62265494 Schwarz Ernst 21 August 2009 20 A Revision of the Genera and Species of Madagascar Lemuridae Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 101 2 399 428 doi 10 1111 j 1096 3642 1931 tb01020 x Petter J J Petter Rousseaux A 1960 Remarques Sur La Systematique du Genre Lepilemur Mammalia 24 1 doi 10 1515 mamm 1960 24 1 76 S2CID 83740368 Petter Jean Jacques et al 1992 Le Genie animal Paris Nathan ISBN 2 09 241042 3 Groves Colin 2001 Primate taxonomy Washington u a Smithsonian Inst Press ISBN 978 1560988724 Rumpler Yves Prosper Hauwy Marcel Rabarivola Clement Rakotoarisoa Gilbert Dutrillaux Bernard 2002 Chromosomal evolution of the Hapalemur griseus subspecies Malagasy Prosimian including a new chromosomal polymorphic cytotype Chromosome Research 10 2 145 153 doi 10 1023 A 1014953202718 PMID 11993935 S2CID 23728128 Louis Jr Edward E et al 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 1 929330 10 3 Rabarivola C Zaramody A Fausser J L Andriaholinirina N Roos C Zinner D et al 2006 Cytogenetic and molecular characteristics of a new species of sportive lemur from northern Madagascar PDF Lemur News 11 45 49 Ravaoarimanana IB Tiedemann R Montagnon D Rumpler Y May 2004 Molecular and cytogenetic evidence for cryptic speciation within a rare endemic Malagasy lemur the Northern Sportive Lemur Lepilemur septentrionalis Molecular Phylogenetics amp Evolution 31 2 440 8 doi 10 1016 j ympev 2003 08 020 PMID 15062786 a b Garbutt Nick 2007 Mammals of Madagascar a complete guide Rev ed New Haven Yale University Press ISBN 978 0300125504 a b c Tattersall Ian 1982 The primates of Madagascar New York Columbia Univ Pr ISBN 0231047045 a b c Fleagle John G 2013 Primate adaptation and evolution 3rd ed Amsterdam Elsevier Academic Press ISBN 978 0123786326 a b Ratsirarson J 1987 Contribution a l etude comparative de l eco ethologie de Lemur catta dans deux habitats differents de la Reserve Speciale de Beza Mahafaly Universite de Madagascar Thornback compiled by for the World Conservation Monitoring Centre by Caroline Harcourt with assistance from Jane 1990 Lemurs of Madagascar and the Comoros Gland Switzerland IUCN ISBN 2880329574 Mittermeier Russell A Ganzhorn Jorg U Konstant William R Glander Kenneth Tattersall Ian Groves Colin P Rylands Anthony B Hapke Andreas Ratsimbazafy Jonah Mayor Mireya I Louis Edward E Rumpler Yves Schwitzer Christoph Rasoloarison Rodin M 4 December 2008 Lemur Diversity in Madagascar International Journal of Primatology 29 6 1607 1656 doi 10 1007 s10764 008 9317 y hdl 10161 6237 S2CID 17614597 Jolly Alison 1998 Pair Bonding Female Aggression and the Evolution of Lemur Societies Folia Primatologica 69 Suppl 1 1 13 doi 10 1159 000052693 PMID 9595685 S2CID 46767773 Martin R D Doyle G A eds 1979 The Study of prosimian behavior New York Academic Press ISBN 978 0122221507 Appendices I II and III CITES Retrieved 26 March 2014 Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lepilemur septentrionalis External links Edit Wikispecies has information related to Northern sportive lemur ARKive images of the northern sportive lemur Lepilemur septentrionalis Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Northern sportive lemur amp oldid 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