Effects of disturbance on Propithecus verreauxi

• Author(s) / Creator(s)

  • Kanuka, Marcy

• Malagasy lemurs are under great threat from destruction of their habitat. Since humans colonized Madagascar 2000 years ago roughly 90% of Madagascar's forests have been destroyed. Alongside this, fully eight genera and 17 species have gone extinct. With the present situation it is of the utmost importance to recognize the ecological plasticity and response of lemur species towards anthropogenic threats. The behaviour of three groups a total of 15 Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) were observed for 5 weeks, from July 1- August 2, 2013 in Mandrare Valley, Southern Madagascar. The study took place in three different habitats, one having relatively little disturbance, another having been greatly influenced by selective logging and grazing, and the third lying somewhat in the middle. Data was collected on activity budgets, feeding ecology, and habitat preferences in each of the three groups and statistically compared. This project aided the research effects of Operation Wallacea.

• Date created

  2014-09-04

• Subjects / Keywords

  • lemur
  • Verreaux's Sifaka
  • Propithecus verreauxi
  • activity budgets
  • feeding ecology
  • habitat preferences
  • spiny thicket
  • BIO489

• Type of Item

  Research Material

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-k6qe-fs85

• License

  Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International