Vol. 15 - Deutsches Primatenzentrum

Lemur News Vol. 15, 2010 Page 33
Brickaville area. A similar survey has already been conducted
for the Brickaville area. A total of 6 sites in isolated
fragments in the communes (from west to east) of Fanasana,
Anivorano and Fetraomby have been found containing P.
simus. Details are given by Ravaloharimanitra et al. (2010).
Western CAZ.In the course of the same survey,12 sites in
the western parts of the Ankeniheny-Zahamena corridor
have been found containing P. simus (Ravaloharimanitra et al.,
2010). These findings follow earlier reports from villagers
that had claimed its presence (e.g.Schmid and Alonso,2005).
The communes where P. simus has been confirmed include
(from south to north) Andasibe, Morarano-Gare, Fierenana,
and Didy.
Zahamena. Ganzhorn (2004) states that a report of the
presence of P. simus in the PN Zahamena was brought to his
attention in 1995, but that it "was questioned and eventually
withdrawn".Information on a possible occurrence of P.simus
in Zahamena, obviously derived from that report, is mentioned
in Godfrey et al. (1997).
Soanierana-Ivongo area. In their little noticed bulletin,
the Association de Défense de la forêt d’Ambodiriana report
that trainee Coralie Ebert, while studying the woolly
lemurs (Avahi laniger) of this forest, claims to have observed
an individual of Prolemur simus (ADEFA, 2009). An earlier
lemur survey of the area (Beaucent and Fayolle, 2008) has
not yielded evidence of P.simus.The forêt d’Ambodiriana lies
just 30 km to the north of Soanierana-Ivongo,a region where,
according to Mittermeier et al. (2006), halogodro and bokombolobe
are still used as local names for P. simus.
Ambatovaky.Ambatovaky is an area that has received only
little attention due to its difficult accessibility. In the early
1990s, a lemur survey was conducted by Evans et al. (1993-
1994). They did not find tangible evidence for P. simus, but
state that "local people indicated that there existed until recently
a lemur which fed on giant bamboo along the Sandrangato
and/or Marimbona rivers,known as alakoto or halokoto".
Marotandrano.Lying to the northwest of Ambatovaky,Marotandrano
has even received less attention than the former.
A lemur survey by Ralison (2006) did not indicate presence
of P. simus.
Mananara. The last specimen of P. simus to be collected
from north of the Nosivolo-Mangoro river came from an
area close to Mananara (Godfrey and Vuillaume-Randriamanantena,1986).Although
the exact collection locality can not
be traced (due to unsuited transcription of its name by the
collector J.P.Audebert),the assumption that P.simus may still
occur in the forests around Mananara was still put forward
by Nicoll and Langrand (1989). No evidence for P. simus in
Mananara has been produced since.
Makira. Being Madagascar’s largest continuous rainforest
(317,000 ha), lemur surveys in Makira are not easy to conduct.
Two years of intensive surveys by Rasolofoson et al.
(2007) and Ratelolahy and Raivoarisoa (2007) have not uncovered
any evidence of P.simus.Similarly,during seven years
of relying on trusting relationships with hunters, Golden
(2009) has not come across P. simus among the 23 mammal
species hunted for consumption throughout southern,western,
northern, and eastern Makira. However, villagers living
adjacent to the newly discovered Antohaka Lava forest at the
edge of northeastern Makira (20 km south of Andrakata on
Marojejy’s southeastern border) have reported recent sightings
of a large bamboo lemur with ear tufts known locally as
bokombolobe.Unfortunately,several months of systematic lemur
surveying of the Antohaka Lava forest between August
and December 2009 did not confirm these reports, despite
an exceptional primate diversity documented inthat area
(Patel, 2009).
Marojejy. A lemur survey by Sterling and McFadden (2000)
found no evidence of P. simus. Alleged observations of bamboo
lemurs other than Hapalemur griseus by tourists may be
attributed to the possible presence of H. occidentalis, rather
than P. simus (R. Mittermeier, pers. comm.). Moreover, during
nine years of research on Propithecus candidus in Marojejy,no
local reports or sightings of P.simus have been received (Patel,
2009).
Discussion
Despite the scarcity of information, growing evidence supports
that P. simus may still be widespread in Madagascar
north of the Mangoro river. Since the species occupies large
home ranges (Dolch et al., unpubl. data), appears to travel at
night due to possible cathemerality (Santini-Palka, 1994), is
cryptic, and often silent when unhabituated, it is conceivable
that it has been overlooked in the past.However,because the
P.simus vocal repertoire is distinct and extensive (Bergey and
Patel,2008) and its feeding traces on giant bamboo (Cathariostachys
madagascariensis) are unmistakable,attention to such
indirect evidence of P. simus presence should be focused
upon in all surveys.
The report from Makira, if confirmed, is especially interesting,
since the northernmost former record for the species
(other than from subfossils) comes from Antongil Bay
(Schwarz, 1931).
Our experience shows that accounts of villagers are mostly
reliable, and that people usually have a good sense of what
animal species do or do not occur in their vicinity.Therefore,
integrating local people is crucial for further studies into
Prolemur distribution. Logically, collaboration with local people
is one conservation recommendation given by the Prolemur
Conservation Working Group (Madagascar Fauna
Group, 2010).
Based on information compiled,we tentatively conclude that
P. simus is still more widespread than previously thought.
Without sufficient data, given persisting threats to the habitats
in which it occurs and our incomplete understanding of
habitat requirements for the species,we do not dare say that
a larger distribution area contributes in any way to relieving
the species from extinction pressure. Unfortunately, P. simus
still has to be considered one of the most threatened primates
in the world.
Acknowledgements
We thank Tokiniaina Hobinjatovo for helping with literature
research and Coralie Ebert for additional information. We
thank all individuals that have shared their observations and
made available the information presented here. We would
also like to thank the Margot Marsh Biodiversity Fund, and
the National Geographic Society Conservation Trust Award
#C135-08.
References
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de Défense de la forêt d’Ambodiriana 25: 1-2.
Beaucent,S.;Fayolle,M.2008.Etude de la communauté de lémuriens
de la forêt d’Ambodiriana,NE Madagascar.Lemur
News 13: 28-32.
Bergey,C.;Patel. E.R.2008.A preliminary vocal repertoire of
the Greater Bamboo Lemur (Prolemur simus): classification
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Dolch, R.; Fiely, J.L.; Ndriamiary, J.N.; Rafalimandimby, J.; Randriamampionona,R.;Engberg,S.E.;Louis,E.E.Jr.2008.Confirmation
of the greater bamboo lemur, Prolemur simus,
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Dolch, R.; Hilgartner, R.D.; Ndriamiary, J.N.; Randriamahazo,
H.2004.The grandmother of all bamboo lemurs:evidence