Hapalemur meridionalis (Warter, Randrianasolo, Dutrillaux & Rumpler, 1987)

Russell A. Mittermeier, Anthony B. Rylands & Don E. Wilson, 2013, Lemuridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 3 Primates, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 90-141 : 125-126

2.

Southern Bamboo Lemur

Hapalemur meridionalis

French: Lémur méridional / German: Sidlicher Bambuslemur / Spanish: Lémur del bambi meridional

Other common names: Rusty-gray Bamboo Lemur, Rusty-gray Lesser Bamboo Lemur, Southern Gentle Lemur

Taxonomy. Hapalemur griseus meridionalis Warter et al., 1987 ,

Madagascar, forestry station of Mandena, approximately 10 km north of Tolagnaro (= Fort-Dauphin).

This form was first proposed as a subspecies of H. griseus based on cytogenetic studies and differences in body size and coloration. A cytogenetic study indicated that an individual from the Atsimo region was a hybrid between this species and H. griseus ranomafanensis. Monotypic.

Distribution. SE coastal Madagascar, it occurs from Mandena Conservation Zone and the vicinity of Andohahela National Park, extending N, but how far is not known;it is not known where the hybrid zone begins and ends.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 28-30 cm,tail 35-37 cm; weight 840-870 g. The Southern Bamboo Lemuris similar in size to the Gray Bamboo Lemur ( H. griseus ); however, its coat color is apparently darker and redder, its ears are longer, and its tail is shorter. The muzzle is short, and ears relatively large but nearly hidden in fur. The tail is 103— 113% of the head-body length.

Habitat. The first populations of the Southern Bamboo Lemur to be described were found in degraded littoral forests dominated by Ravenala (Strelitziaceae) and Pandanus (Pandanaceae) , and with only patchy stands of bamboo. It is now known to mainly inhabit subtropical moist lowland and montane forest (up to elevations of 1600 m), generally in areas of dense bamboo. The Southern Bamboo Lemur is sympatric with the Golden Bamboo Lemur ( H. aureus ) and the Greater Bamboo Lemur ( Prolemur simus ) in Andringitra National Park.

Food and Feeding. Southern Bamboo Lemurs in Mandena Conservation Zone will feed on 23 plant species in 15 families, comprising 24 distinct food items. Individuals there spend most of their time feeding non-selectively on the whole upper parts (culm, leaves, grains) of seven terrestrial grass species of Poaceae (76%). Nearly one-half of that time was spent feeding on a single species, Panicum parvifolium. Nutrient analyses of the diet have shown that it is of low quality compared with diets of other folivores, with a low protein-to-fiber ratio.

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. The Southern Bamboo Lemur is arboreal. A recent study conducted in the Mandena Conservation Zone in south-eastern Madagascar by Eppley and coworkers in 2011 found that Southern Bamboo Lemurs spent 42% oftheir time feeding, 44% resting, and only 10% traveling. They resided in a marshy area during 67% of their time and spent 33% feeding in the surrounding littoral forest. Almost 70% of total observation time was spent feeding on the ground, 10% at 0—4 m above the ground, 20% at 4-8 m, and less than 1% higher than 8 m. Although no systematic nocturnal observations were conducted as part of their study, the authors suggest that the Southern Bamboo Lemur is notstrictly diurnal in Mandena and may indeed be cathemeral.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Behavior and ecology of the Southern Bamboo Lemur are poorly known. It is believed to live in small groups. At Kalambatritra Special Reserve, individuals use latrines, repeatedly defecating as a group at specific sites; groups defecate in turn, with adults going first followed byjuveniles. Use of latrines is thought to serve some communicatory function.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. The Southern Bamboo Lemur is threatened mainly by habitat loss due to slashand-burn agriculture (particularly for the cultivation of Cannabis , Cannabaceae ), but also charcoal production, logging, and mining. It occurs in three national parks (Andohahela, Andringitra , and Midongy du Sud), three special reserves (Kalambatritra, Manombo and Pic d’Ivohibe), and Mandena Conservation Zone, east of Tolagnaro.

Bibliography. Eppley et al. (2011), Feistner & Schmid (1999), Goodman et al. (2001), Groves (1988a), Irwin et al. (2004), Mittermeier et al. (2010), Mutschler (2000), Mutschler & Tan (2003), Rabarivola et al. (2007), Sterling & Ramaroson (1996), Tan (2006), Warter & Tattersall (1994), Warter et al. (1987), Wright (1992), Wright, Daniels et al. (1987).

Figures

0. Greater Bamboo Lemur (Prolemur simus), 1. Gray Bamboo Lemur (Hapalemur griseus), 2. Southern Bamboo Lemur (Hapalemur meridionalis), 3. Northern Bamboo Lemur (Hapalemur occidentalis), 4. Lac Alaotra Bamboo Lemur (Hapalemur alaotrensis), 5. Golden Bamboo Lemur (Hapalemur aureus)

Distribution. SE coastal Madagascar, it occurs from Mandena Conservation Zone and the vicinity of Andohahela National Park, extending N, but how far is not known;it is not known where the hybrid zone begins and ends.