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Lepilemur dorsalis

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family
ANIMALIA CHORDATA MAMMALIA PRIMATES LEPILEMURIDAE

Scientific Name: Lepilemur dorsalis
Species Authority: Gray, 1870
Common Name(s):
English – Gray’s Sportive Lemur, Nossi-bé Sportive Lemur, Grey-backed Sportive Lemur
Spanish – Lemur Comadreja De Ambanja
Taxonomic Notes: Sportive Lemurs on the islands of Nosy Be and Nosy Koma are now described as L. tymerlachsoni (Louis et al. 2006). Zinner et al. (2007) show that the three teams that described new Lepilemur species in 2006 and 2007 (Andriaholinirina et al. 2006, Louis et al. 2006, Craul et al. 2007) each had different concepts of L. dorsalis, and that the validity of L. tymerlachsoni and L. mittermeieri depend on which concept turns out to be correct. The type locality of Lepilemur dorsalis is either Mourountsang (=Anorontsangana, 13°55’S, 47°55’E) or Passandava (=Ampasindava, about 13°40’S, 48°15’E). If the former, then L. tymerlachsoni is a synonym of L. dorsalis and L. mittermeieri is valid; if the latter, then L. mittermeieri is the synonym and L. tymerlachsoni is valid. The species found at Anorontsangana is also found on Nosy Bé (Zinner et al. 2007). The name L. grandidieri (Forsyth Major 1894) was given to a species form this general area, and this too may prove to be a senior synonym of one of the species described in 2006/2007.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria: Vulnerable B1ab(i,iii) ver 3.1
Year Published: 2014
Date Assessed: 2012-07-11
Assessor(s): Andriaholinirina, N., Baden, A., Blanco, M., Chikhi, L., Cooke, A., Davies, N., Dolch, R., Donati, G., Ganzhorn, J., Golden, C., Groeneveld, L.F., Hapke, A., Irwin, M., Johnson, S., Kappeler, P., King, T., Lewis, R., Louis, E.E., Markolf, M., Mass, V., Mittermeier, R.A., Nichols, R., Patel, E., Rabarivola, C.J., Raharivololona, B., Rajaobelina, S., Rakotoarisoa, G., Rakotomanga, B., Rakotonanahary, J., Rakotondrainibe, H., Rakotondratsimba, G., Rakotondratsimba, M., Rakotonirina, L., Ralainasolo, F.B., Ralison, J., Ramahaleo, T., Ranaivoarisoa, J.F., Randrianahaleo, S.I., Randrianambinina, B., Randrianarimanana, L., Randrianasolo, H., Randriatahina, G., Rasamimananana, H., Rasolofoharivelo, T., Rasoloharijaona, S., Ratelolahy, F., Ratsimbazafy, J., Ratsimbazafy, N., Razafindraibe, H., Razafindramanana, J., Rowe, N., Salmona, J., Seiler, M., Volampeno, S., Wright, P., Youssouf, J., Zaonarivelo, J. & Zaramody, A.
Reviewer(s): Schwitzer, C. & Molur, S.
Facilitator/Compiler(s): Chiozza, F. & Clark, F.
Justification:
The extent of occurrence (EOO) of this species covers less than 11,360 km2. This geographic range is severely fragmented and undergoing continuing decline in area, extent and quality of habitat. Based on these premises, the species is listed as Vulnerable.
History:
2000 – Vulnerable
1996 – Vulnerable
1994 – Vulnerable (Groombridge 1994)
1990 – Vulnerable (IUCN 1990)
1990 – Vulnerable (IUCN 1990)
1988 – Insufficiently Known (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1988)
1986 – Insufficiently Known (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1986)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description: This species has a highly restricted distribution. It is found in the Sambirano region of north-western Madagascar, centering on Ambanja. The extent of occurrence (EOO) is estimated to be less than 11,360 km2.
Countries:
Native:
Madagascar
Range Map: Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population: Population densities for this species have been recorded to range between:  0.16-0.3 individuals/km2. Population numbers are in decline due to habitat loss (Mittermeier et al. 2008).
Population Trend: Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology: This lemur has been the subject of only brief field studies. It inhabits humid forests that are subject to a short dry season each year, as well as sub humid forests that are subject to a long dry season. In dense primary forest it appears to favour tree holes for daytime sleeping, but will seek out vegetation tangles in more open deciduous forest. Births occur from August through November, mothers typically producing a single young. Presumably largely folivorous (Mittermeier et al. 2008 and references therein).
Systems: Terrestrial

Use and Trade [top]

Use and Trade: This species is sometimes hunted for food.

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s): The main threats are believed to be habitat loss due to rice and coffee cultivation, as well as illegal logging and hunting.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions: This species is listed on Appendix I of CITES. It is known to occur in the Manongarivo Special Reserve, and probably also in the Tsaratanana Strict Nature Reserve.
Citation: Andriaholinirina, N., Baden, A., Blanco, M., Chikhi, L., Cooke, A., Davies, N., Dolch, R., Donati, G., Ganzhorn, J., Golden, C., Groeneveld, L.F., Hapke, A., Irwin, M., Johnson, S., Kappeler, P., King, T., Lewis, R., Louis, E.E., Markolf, M., Mass, V., Mittermeier, R.A., Nichols, R., Patel, E., Rabarivola, C.J., Raharivololona, B., Rajaobelina, S., Rakotoarisoa, G., Rakotomanga, B., Rakotonanahary, J., Rakotondrainibe, H., Rakotondratsimba, G., Rakotondratsimba, M., Rakotonirina, L., Ralainasolo, F.B., Ralison, J., Ramahaleo, T., Ranaivoarisoa, J.F., Randrianahaleo, S.I., Randrianambinina, B., Randrianarimanana, L., Randrianasolo, H., Randriatahina, G., Rasamimananana, H., Rasolofoharivelo, T., Rasoloharijaona, S., Ratelolahy, F., Ratsimbazafy, J., Ratsimbazafy, N., Razafindraibe, H., Razafindramanana, J., Rowe, N., Salmona, J., Seiler, M., Volampeno, S., Wright, P., Youssouf, J., Zaonarivelo, J. & Zaramody, A. 2014. Lepilemur dorsalis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 05 March 2015.
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