Silk sifaka
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Silk sifaka ( Propithecus candidus ) |
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| Propithecus candidus | ||||||||||||
| A. Grandidier , 1871 |
The silk sifaka ( Propithecus candidus ) is a species of primate from the family of the Indri-like within the lemurs . It was formerly considered a subspecies of the Diademed Sifaka .
features
Silk Sifakas reach a head body length of 48 to 54 centimeters, in addition there is a 45 to 51 centimeter long tail. Their weight is 5 to 6.5 kilograms, making them one of the larger sifaka species . Their fur is long and silky, it is mostly white in color, but can turn silver-gray on the head, back and limbs. Adult males often have a noticeable brown spot on the chest, which is caused by the secretions of the mammary gland and is particularly clearly visible during the mating season. The face is hairless and mostly dark gray to black in color. In some animals (for example in the Marojely National Park) the skin pigments are completely or partially absent ; these animals have a pink or pink-black spotted face.
distribution and habitat
Like all lemurs, silk sifakas only live in Madagascar . Its distribution area is a small region in the northeast of the island, it extends between the Marojely National Park in the north and the Antainambalana river in the south. They inhabit hilly or mountainous rainforests and are mostly found between 700 and 1600 meters above sea level.
Lifestyle and diet
Silk Sifakas are diurnal. Your activity begins at dawn and later in bad weather. They usually stay in the trees, where they move vertically climbing and jumping. They live in groups of two to nine animals. Smaller groups are made up of a couple and their offspring, while larger groups consist of several adult males and females in addition to the young. Within the group, the females are dominant, they determine the daily forays, the average length of which is around 700 meters. They are territorial animals, the territories cover up to 44 hectares. The area is marked with glandular secretions, the females have anal glands for this purpose, the males also have mammary glands.
In addition to smells, they also communicate with several sounds. A sequence of zzuss sounds is used to establish contact with the group members in the event of disturbances, and they also know their own sound to warn of birds of prey in flight.
The diet of these primates consists mainly of leaves (75%), but to a small extent they also eat fruits, seeds and flowers. Like many other leaf-eating mammals, they compensate for the low nutritional value of their food with long breaks, so 45% of the day is spent resting.
Reproduction
In June or July, the female usually gives birth to a single young. This initially clings to her stomach and later rides on her back. All other group members also take care of the offspring, play with them and carry them. Females also frequently nurse other pups - sometimes at the same time as their own.
Danger
Silky Sifakas are among the most threatened primate species. Their distribution area covers only around 2250 km² and is also very fragmented. In addition to the destruction of their habitat, hunting is also a threat. The IUCN estimates the total population to be less than 250 adult animals, with no individual population comprising more than 50 adult animals. The species is therefore listed as " critically endangered " .
Trivia
In the 6th part of the Artemis Fowl series, Das Zeitparadox, the silk sifaka plays a central role. Only he can save Artemis' mother's life. However, its endangered status creates major problems ...
literature
- Nick Garbutt: Mammals of Madagascar. A Complete Guide . Yale University Press, New Haven & London 2007, ISBN 978-0-300-12550-4 .
- Thomas Geissmann: Comparative Primatology . Springer, Berlin 2003, 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 candidus onthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Retrieved April 26, 2009.