Lepilemur mustelinus, I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1851
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6635114 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6633568 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/7F26623C-6E06-1B58-E710-69E2FC245D15 |
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treatment provided by |
Carolina |
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scientific name |
Lepilemur mustelinus |
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1. View Plate 5: Lepilemuridae
Weasel Sportive Lemur
Lepilemur mustelinus View in CoL
French: Lépilémur mustelin / German: Ostlicher Wieselmaki / Spanish: Lémur saltador mayor
Other common names: Greater Sportive Lemur, Greater Weasel Lemur, Weasel Lemur
Taxonomy. Lepilemur mustelinus I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1851 View in CoL ,
Madagascar, Tamatave.
This species is monotypic.
Distribution. E Madagascar, from the Nesivolo and Mangoro rivers N at least to the Maningory River. Additional survey work is required to determine the northern and southern extent of the distribution of the Weasel Sportive Lemur, particularly relative to new species within the larger area in which it was previously thought to occur. View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head-body 21-25 cm, tail 25-29 cm; weight c.1 kg (females are c.10% heavier than males). A large sportive lemur with long, dense fur and a relatively short tail. The upper body is a variable chestnut-brown, and the underside is paler. There is often a vague dorsal or crown stripe, and the tail darkens in color toward the tip. The face is dark gray or brown, with brown eyes, and the cheeks and throat are whitish. The ears are naked and project beyond the fur. There are also cases of bright orange Weasel Sportive Lemurs in populations of naturally colored individuals.
Habitat. Primary and secondary humid rainforest.
Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, butit is presumably largely folivorous.
Breeding. There is no information available for this species.
Activity patterns. Nocturnal and arboreal. This species takes shelter during the day in tree holes (¢.80% of sleeping sites) or tangles of vines and leaves (c.20% ofsleeping sites). Tree holes are on average 3-5 m above the ground, with an average volume of 61,300 cm’, entrance size of 1449 cm?, depth of 2 m, and wall thickness of 15 cm.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. This species has not been well studied in the wild. It is thought to be solitary, occupying territories of 1-5 ha. Sleeping sites in tree holes are usually used either by a single male or female or by a female with its current or previous-year offspring. Sleeping sites in dense vegetation are always used by a single sportive lemur.
Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I. Classified as Data Deficient on The [UCN Red List. However, at the IUCN/SSC Lemur Red-Listing Workshop held in July 2012, L. mustelinus was assessed as vulnerable. Questions remain regarding the overall distribution of the Weasel Sportive Lemur and its relationship to other species of sportive lemurs. Threats include habitat destruction for slash-and-burn agriculture and hunt ing for food, during which trees with nest holes may be chopped down. It reportedly occurs in Mantadia and Zahamena national parks, Betampona Strict Nature Reserve, and Analamazaotra Special Reserve.
Bibliography. Britt et al. (1999), Ganzhorn (1988), Garbutt (2007), Golden (2005), Groves (2001), Harcourt & Thornback (1990), Lei et al. (2008), Louis, Engberg et al. (2006), Mittermeier et al. (2010), Nicoll & Langrand (1989), Petter & Petter-Rousseaux (1960), Petter et al. (1977), Rasoloharijaona et al. (2007, 2008), Ratsirarson & Rumpler (1988), Safford et al. (1989), Schmid & Smolker (1998), Tattersall (1982).
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