Varecia rubra

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	PRIMATES	LEMURIDAE

Scientific Name:

Varecia rubra

Species Authority:

(E. Geoffroy, 1812)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Red-ruffed Lemur, Red Ruffed Lemur
French	–	Vari Roux

Synonym/s:

Varecia variegata (É. Geoffroy, 1812) subspecies rubra

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered B1ab(iii,v) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

Andrainarivo, C., Andriaholinirina, V.N., Feistner, A., Felix, T., Ganzhorn, J., Garbutt, N., Golden, C., Konstant, B., Louis Jr., E., Meyers, D., Mittermeier, R.A., Perieras, A., Princee, F., Rabarivola, J.C., Rakotosamimanana, B., Rasamimanana, H., Ratsimbazafy, J., Raveloarinoro, G., Razafimanantsoa, A., Rumpler, Y., Schwitzer, C., Thalmann, U., Wilmé, L. & Wright, P.

Reviewer/s:

Mittermeier, R.A. & Rylands, A.B. (Primate Red List Authority)

Contributor/s:

Justification:
Listed as Endangered as the species has a range of about 4,000 km², occurs only on the Masoalo Peninsula, and is currently at risk of ongoing habitat loss and hunting.

History:

2000	–	Critically Endangered
1996	–	Critically Endangered
1990	–	Endangered (IUCN 1990)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species has a restricted range, primarily inhabiting the remaining primary forests of the Masoala Peninsula and the region immediately north of the Bay of Antongil in north-eastern Madagascar. The Antainambalana River appears to separate this species from V. variegata, but the western and northern limits of the Red Ruffed Lemur’s range remain unclear (Mittermeier et al. 2008, and references therein). Historically, the two species overlapped in the region north of the Bay of Antongil. Recent survey work in the region has shown that the westernmost distribution of V. rubra was near the confluence of the Antainambalana and Sahantaha Rivers (Hekkala et al. 2007). Ranges from sea-level to 1,200 m.
Countries:	Native: Madagascar
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Density estimates have been recorded at 31-53 individuals/km² in Andranobe (Vasey 1997: IJP) and 21-23 individuals/km² in at Ambatonakolahy (Rigamonti 1993).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species has been the subject of ecological and behavioral studies in the forests of Ambatonakolahy (Rigamonti 1993) and Andranobe on the Masoala Peninsula (Vasey 1997: thesis). It is diurnal, prefers high forest and is often observed in the crowns of large feeding trees. It is largely frugivorous. The mating season is May-July, with births occurring from September through early November after a gestation period of about 102 days. Litters range from one to five infants in captivity, but usually contain two or three, and only one young every two years normally survive (Brockman et al. 1987, Schwitzer 2003). Interbirth intervals are in the order of two years (Rakotondratsima and Kremen 2001).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

This species has been the subject of ecological and behavioral studies in the forests of Ambatonakolahy (Rigamonti 1993) and Andranobe on the Masoala Peninsula (Vasey 1997: thesis). It is diurnal, prefers high forest and is often observed in the crowns of large feeding trees. It is largely frugivorous. The mating season is May-July, with births occurring from September through early November after a gestation period of about 102 days. Litters range from one to five infants in captivity, but usually contain two or three, and only one young every two years normally survive (Brockman et al. 1987, Schwitzer 2003). Interbirth intervals are in the order of two years (Rakotondratsima and Kremen 2001).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Due to its large size and apparent need for tall primary forest, this species is susceptible to human encroachment and habitat loss (particularly due to slash-and-burn agriculture). Hunting also remains a threat.

Major Threat(s):

Due to its large size and apparent need for tall primary forest, this species is susceptible to human encroachment and habitat loss (particularly due to slash-and-burn agriculture). Hunting also remains a threat.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species is listed on Appendix I of CITES. It is protected officially only within the Masoala National Park and the Makira Protected Area. Increased regulation and management of hunting within the range is recommended.

Conservation Actions:

This species is listed on Appendix I of CITES. It is protected officially only within the Masoala National Park and the Makira Protected Area. Increased regulation and management of hunting within the range is recommended.

Citation:	Andrainarivo, C., Andriaholinirina, V.N., Feistner, A., Felix, T., Ganzhorn, J., Garbutt, N., Golden, C., Konstant, B., Louis Jr., E., Meyers, D., Mittermeier, R.A., Perieras, A., Princee, F., Rabarivola, J.C., Rakotosamimanana, B., Rasamimanana, H., Ratsimbazafy, J., Raveloarinoro, G., Razafimanantsoa, A., Rumpler, Y., Schwitzer, C., Thalmann, U., Wilmé, L. & Wright, P. 2008. Varecia rubra. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 22 May 2013.
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