Hapalemur occidentalis (Rumpler, 1975)

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 : 126

3.

Northern Bamboo Lemur

Hapalemur occidentalis

French: Lémur occidental / German: Nordlicher Bambuslemur / Spanish: Lémur del bambu occidental

Other common names: Northern Gentle Lemur, Sambirano Bamboo Lemur, Sambirano Lesser Bamboo Lemur, Western Bamboo Lemur

Taxonomy. Hapalemur griseus occidentalis Rumpler, 1975 ,

north and west of Madagascar.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Found in discontinuous pockets in N, NW, CW & NE Madagascar, in the far N known (at least formerly) from the forests of Ankarana and Analamerana (and possibly in the Ankarana Massif), in the NW in the Sambirano region, the Ampasindava Peninsula, and the Sahamalaza region (N of the Andranomalaza River), in the CW in the Tsiombikibo, Baie de Baly, and Tsingy de Namaroka protected areas between the Mahavavy and Ranobe rivers, in the NE in Masoala, Maroantsetra and Ile Roger (Aye-aye I), and as far S as Zahamena and Marovohangy near Lake Alaotra.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 27-28 cm, tail 36-39 cm; weight ¢.846 g (males) and 0.9-1.2 kg (females). The Northern Bamboo Lemuris larger than the Gray Bamboo Lemur ( H. griseus ), and has a noteworthy degree of sexual dimorphism in body weight. It is more uniformly gray-brown in coat color than the Gray Bamboo Lemur, and its face is paler than other members of the genus. Ears are similar in length to those of the Gray Bamboo Lemur, and they protrude from the fur.

Habitat. Dry deciduous forest, semi-humid transitional and humid forest containing stands of bamboo and areas of bamboo vines. The Northern Bamboo Lemur has also been reported in degraded habitats in the Sambirano River valley and in patches of bamboo surrounded by agricultural land.

Food and Feeding. Little is known about the diet of the Northern Bamboo Lemur , although individuals have been observed eating fruits, bamboo, and liana flowers. In the northern highland regions of Marojejy and Tsaratanana, the bamboo species Ochlandra capitata, Phyllostachys aurea, and Dendrocalamus giganteus (all Poaceae ) are important food sources.

Breeding. The birth season of the Northern Bamboo Lemur is October—January, following gestation of 137-140 days. Single infants are the rule, and the interbirth inter val is typically one year. An infant is first carried in its mother’s mouth and then on her back a few weeks after birth. Eventually she is able to park it for short periods of time while she forages.

Activity patterns. The Northern Bamboo Lemur is cathemeral and arboreal. In the Manongarivo Special Reserve, it is diurnal, but in the Sambirano region, it is active mainly at night.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Little is known about the ecology and behavior of the Northern Bamboo Lemur . In the Manongarivo Special Reserve, group size is small (usually no more than four individuals), while in the Sambirano region, groups of up to six have been reported.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. The Northern Bamboo Lemuris threatened mainly by habitat loss due to regular burning to create pasture for livestock, charcoal production, and mining. Recent studies in the Makira Forest documented hunting of the Northern Bamboo Lemur for food, but they did not determine if current levels were sustainable. It occurs in at least seven national parks (Baie de Baly, Mananara-Nord, Marojejy, Masoala, Sahamalaza-Iles Radama, Tsingy de Namoroka, and Zahamena ), two strict nature reserves (Tsaratanana and Zahamena), and at least seven special reserves (Ambatovaky, Anjanaharibe-Sud, Bemarivo, Kasijy, Maningoza, Manongarivo, and Marotandrano). The Northern Bamboo Lemur was formerly found in the Analamerana and Akarana special reserves, but there are no recent records to confirm its presence now.

Bibliography. Banks (2005), Curtis et al. (1995), Golden (2005), Hawkins, Chapman et al. (1990), Hawkins, Durbin & Reid (1998), Martinez (2008), Mittermeier et al. (2010), Mutschler (2000), Mutschler & Tan (2003), Nicoll & Langrand (1989), Petter & Peyrieras (1970a), Petter et al. (1977), Pollock (1986c), Rabarivola et al. (2007), Rakotoarison et al. (1993), Randrianarisoa, Rasamison & Rakotozafy (2001), Randrianarisoa, Rasamison, Rakotozafy & Totovalahy (2001), Raxworthy & Rakotondraparany (1988), Rumpler (1975), Schmid & Smolker (1998), Tan (2000, 2006), Tattersall (1982), Thalmann et al. (1999).

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. Found in discontinuous pockets in N, NW, CW & NE Madagascar, in the far N known (at least formerly) from the forests of Ankarana and Analamerana (and possibly in the Ankarana Massif), in the NW in the Sambirano region, the Ampasindava Peninsula, and the Sahamalaza region (N of the Andranomalaza River), in the CW in the Tsiombikibo, Baie de Baly, and Tsingy de Namaroka protected areas between the Mahavavy and Ranobe rivers, in the NE in Masoala, Maroantsetra and Ile Roger (Aye-aye I), and as far S as Zahamena and Marovohangy near Lake Alaotra.