Article2006

Variability in habitat, diet, and social structure ofHapalemur griseus in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar

108 citations0/0 files storedAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology

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Primate Behavior and Ecology Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Plant and animal studies

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of habitat on the diet, population density, and social structure of a small-bodied folivore, Hapalemur griseus. Three groups of H. griseus were followed at two study sites (Tala and Vato) within Ranomafana National Park in southeastern Madagascar. These two sites differed in degree of habitat disturbance, forest composition, and forest structure, as determined by botanical plots (50 x 10 m) which were monitored twice monthly in the home ranges of three study groups (group T, n = 4; group V1, n = 4; group V2, n = 2). Tala has experienced more habitat disturbance compared to Vato, and this appeared to influence population density and group size. The H. griseus that inhabit Tala occur at much higher densities and in larger social groups than the H. griseus at Vato. These results may be attributable to: 1) a greater number of potential food sources, 2) a more dense resource base, and/or 3) higher-quality resources at Tala for this folivore. In general, dietary diversity for all groups was low, and groups exploited similar plant species. However, within this small range of food sources, each study group specialized in food sources found in the highest abundance within their home range. This resulted in dietary differences between groups within sites, as well as differences between sites. Introduced tree species such as Chinese guava (Psidium cattleyanum) may have greatly impacted the diet and social structure of those groups at Tala, whose home ranges included this food source. In contrast, Vato group 1 ingested more new and mature leaves of Ficus spp., and Vato group 2 primarily ate spider bamboo (Nastus elongatus). In conclusion, it seems that microhabitat differences, which may be related to habitat disturbance and/or other factors such as topography, influenced the food species ingested by H. griseus. Overall habitat quality, which is likely also affected by habitat disturbance, influenced general diet, population density, and group size.

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References

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Cited by

2015The Use of an Invasive Species Habitat by a Small Folivorous Primate: Implications for Lemur Conservation in Madagascar 2010Coping with low-quality diets: a first account of the feeding ecology of the southern gentle lemur, Hapalemur meridionalis, in the Mandena littoral forest, southeast Madagascar 2009Sociality, ecology, and relative brain size in lemurs 2015Cathemerality in a small, folivorous primate: proximate control of diel activity in Hapalemur meridionalis 2010Diet, Activity Patterns, and Ranging Ecology of the Bale Monkey (Chlorocebus djamdjamensis) in Odobullu Forest, Ethiopia

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