Great bamboo lemur
| Great bamboo lemur | ||||||||||||
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Great bamboo lemur ( Prolemur simus ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
| Prolemur | ||||||||||||
| JE Gray , 1871 | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Prolemur simus | ||||||||||||
| (JE Gray, 1871) |
The large bamboo lemur ( Prolemur simus ), also known as the large half- lemur or broad- snouted half- lemur , is a primate species from the group of lemurs (Lemuriformes). It is one of the most threatened lemur species.
features
Large bamboo lemurs reach a head body length of 40 to 42 centimeters, the tail is 45 to 48 centimeters longer than the body. The weight is 2.2 to 2.5 kilograms. Their fur is short and dense, it is predominantly gray-brown in color, with the underside being somewhat lighter. The head, shoulders and upper arms are more reddish brown. The rounded head is also colored gray-brown, the muzzle is short and wide. The white-gray ear tufts are characteristic. The population of the Andringitra Mountains is characterized by a reddish coat and the lack of ear tufts.
distribution and habitat
Like all lemurs, large bamboo lemurs only occur in Madagascar . Their current distribution area only covers a small region on the east coast of the island, so they live in the area of the Ranomafana National Park and the Andringitra Mountains. In 2007, another population was discovered in the Torotorofotsy wetland, also in the east of the island. Their habitat are rainforests lined with bamboo from sea level up to 1600 meters above sea level.
Way of life
These primates are mostly diurnal, but also repeatedly show nocturnal phase. Their locomotion is vertical climbing and jumping, they stay on the ground to a greater extent than other lemur species. They live in groups of four to seven (sometimes up to eleven) animals, the groups consist of one male, one or two females and their pups. The grazing areas are relatively large with 40 to 60 hectares.
The diet of these animals consists almost exclusively of bamboo shoots and leaves. The giant bamboo Cathariostachys madagascariensis accounts for up to 95% of the diet.
After a gestation period of around 140 to 150 days, a single young is usually born in October or November. This is weaned at seven to eight months and leaves the parental group at three to four years.
threat
Fossil finds indicate that large bamboo lemurs were previously distributed in the north-west, north and entire east of their home island, today's range only comprises around 1 to 4% of this original area. The main threat to this species is the destruction of its habitat by slash and burn and deforestation. Field research over the past 20 years has only identified 12 groups with fewer than 100 animals in total, and the total population is likely to be one of the lowest of all lemur species. The IUCN lists the species as " critically endangered ". Since this species is threatened, the following zoos are in their holdings: Germany: Cologne Zoo , France: Asson , Besançon , Great Britain: Burford , Lympne .
The only German owner is Cologne. In Europe there are still holders in France and the UK.
Systematics
Until recently, species was classified in the genus of bamboo lemurs ( Hapalemur ). Due to differences in size, skeleton and way of life, it is now usually listed in its own genus, Prolemur .
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 et al. 2002, ISBN 3-540-43645-6 .
- Ernest P. Walker (greeting), Ronald M. Nowak (arr.): Walker's Mammals of the World . 6th Ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
Individual evidence
- ^ New Population of Highly Threatened Greater Bamboo Lemur Found in Madagascar - Report on Conservation International , accessed October 8, 2009
- ↑ Prolemur simus in the endangered Red List species the IUCN . Retrieved April 6, 2009.
- ↑ [1] ZTL 16.6
Web links
- Information, photos and videos at arkive.org
- Prolemur simus onthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Retrieved April 6, 2009.