Propithecus perrieri, Lavauden, 1931

Russell A. Mittermeier, Anthony B. Rylands & Don E. Wilson, 2013, Indriidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 3 Primates, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 142-175 : 173

18.

Perrier’s Sifaka

Propithecus perrieri

French: Sifaka de Perrier / German: Schwarzer Diademsifaka / Spanish: Sifaca de Perrier

Taxonomy. Propithecus perrieri Lavauden, 1931 ,

Madagascar, Forest of Analamera, south-east of Diégo Suarez .

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Restricted to extreme NE Madagascar (Analamerana and Andrafiamena massifs and the E edge of the Ankarana forests).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 43-47 cm, tail 42-45 cm; weight 4-4—4-5 kg. Perrier’s Sifaka is a medium-sized species with a relatively short tail. The dorsal coat is long, dense, and silky, being a deep lustrous black above with a shorter, rosy-brownish tinted chest and belly. The face is bare and black, and eyes are dark reddish-brown. Ears are naked in some individuals and furred in others, and they are largely concealed in the fur.

Habitat. Tropical dry deciduous and semi-humid lowland forest from sea level to elevations of 500 m. Perrier’s Sifaka is most abundant in semi-evergreen forests on sandstone that comprise only one-quarter of its remaining habitat; these forests are unfortunately also under the heaviest pressures from humans.

Food and Feeding. Diets of Perrier’s Sifaka consist mainly of leaves (both young and mature), unripe fruits, stems, and flowers. At least a dozen different plant species in nine families have been identified as food sources.

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but Perrier’s Sifaka is diurnal and arboreal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Perrier’s Sifaka lives in multimale—multifemale groups of 2-6 individuals, typically containing 1-3 adult females, 1-2 adult males, and only one breeding pair. Females are dominant over males. Home range size is ¢.30 ha. Exclusive territories are maintained, although there is little aggression over boundaries. Males emigrate at age five to a neighboring group; females may either emigrate or remain in their natal group. Unlike related species, Perrier’s Sifakas routinely descend from the trees to cross open habitat and drink from riverbeds. Density within the Analamerana Special Reserve is estimated at 3-18 ind/km?.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I. Classified as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red List. Perrier’s Sifaka is one of the rarest and most endangered lemurs (and indeed of all the world’s primates). The total population could be as few as 500 individuals, with an effective breeding population of only 125 individuals. Slash-andburn agriculture that destroys its very limited habitat is the greatest threat, and this is exacerbated by fires set to increase livestock pasture, cutting of trees for charcoal production, and forest destruction by itinerant miners. Local hunting also may be a problem. The only protected area in which it is known to occur is the Analamerana Special Reserve. A small number of Perrier’s Sifaka may still be found in the eastern section of Ankarana National Park, which is connected through a series of forest patches to populations at Andriafiamena and Analamerana. Perrier’s Sifaka has recently been seen in unprotected forest patches between Analamerana and Ankarana, and it is present in the Andavakoera Classified Forest, but probably in very low numbers. There is an urgent need for a full-time, long-term scientific presence in Analamerana and its expansion to include the forests of Andriafiamena and a connection to Ankarana. This effort should also include an educational campaign in the region and surveys in nearby forest patches to look for any other populations of Perrier’s Sifaka.

Bibliography. Banks et al. (2007), Fowler et al. (1989), Ganzhorn et al. (1996), Groves (2001), Harcourt & Thornback (1990), Hawkins et al. (1990), Lehman & Mayor (2004), Lehman et al. (2005), Mayor & Lehman (1999), Meyers & Ratsirarson (1989), Mittermeier et al. (2010), Petter et al. (1977), Rasoloharijaona et al. (2005), Tattersall (1982, 1986b).

Figures

On following pages: 12. Crowned Sifaka (Propithecus coronatus); 13. Coquerel’s Sifaka (Propithecus coquerell); 14. Tattersall’s Sifaka (Propithecus tattersall); 15. Diademed Sifaka (Propithecus diadema); 16. Milne-Edwards's Sifaka (Propithecus edwardsi); 17. Silky Sifaka (Propithecus candidus); 18. Perrier’s Sifaka (Propithecus perrieri).

Distribution. Restricted to extreme NE Madagascar (Analamerana and Andrafiamena massifs and the E edge of the Ankarana forests).