Perrier Sifaka
| Perrier Sifaka | ||||||||||||
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Perrier sifaka ( Propithecus perrieri ) |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Propithecus perrieri | ||||||||||||
| Lavauden , 1931 |
The Perrier Sifaka ( Propithecus perrieri ) is a species of primate from the family of the Indri-like within the lemurs . Until recently it was considered a subspecies of the diademed sifaka .
features
Perrier sifakas reach a head body length of 43 to 47 centimeters, a tail length of 42 to 46 centimeters and a weight of 3.7 to 5 kilograms, so they belong to the medium-sized sifaka species . Their thick fur is uniformly black in color, sometimes the chest and belly are slightly reddish brown. The face is hairless and also black, the eyes are orange-red, the small ears are partially hidden in the fur.
distribution and habitat
Like all lemurs, Perrier sifakas only occur in Madagascar . They have the smallest distribution area of all Sifakas and only inhabit a small area on the northern tip of their home island between the Irodo and Lokia rivers. Their habitat are dry forests and they can be found up to 400 meters above sea level.
Way of life
These primates are diurnal. They usually stay in the trees, where they climb and jump vertically, but sometimes come to the ground to cross gaps between the trees or to drink. They live in small groups of two to six animals, which are composed of one or more males, one or more females and the common young animals. They inhabit fixed territories of around 30 hectares in size. Their diet consists of leaves, unripe fruits, buds and flowers. In June or July, the female usually gives birth to a single young.
Danger
One of the natural enemies of the Perrier sifakas is the fossa , which is relatively common in the range of this primate. But the far greater threat comes from humans. Their habitat is reduced by slash and burn, and there is also hunting. Their total range is less than 400 km², and the total population is estimated by the IUCN to be less than 250 adult animals. That is why the species is considered “ critically endangered” .
literature
- Nick Garbutt: Mammals of Madagascar. A Complete Guide. Yale University Press, New Haven CT 2007, ISBN 978-0-300-12550-4 .
- Thomas Geissmann : Comparative Primatology. Springer-Verlag, Berlin a. a. 2002, ISBN 3-540-43645-6 .
- Russell A. Mittermeier , Jörg U. Ganzhorn, William R. Konstant, Kenneth Glander, Ian Tattersall , Colin P. Groves , Anthony B. Rylands, Andreas Hapke, Jonah Ratsimbazafy, Mireya I. Mayor, Edward Louis jr, Yves Rumpler, Christoph Schwitzer, Rodin Rasoloarison: Lemur Diversity in Madagascar. In: International Journal of Primatology. 29, 2008, ISSN 0164-0291 , pp. 1607-1656.
Web links
- Propithecus perrieri onthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Retrieved April 26, 2009.