Vol. 15 - Deutsches Primatenzentrum

Lemur News Vol. 15, 2010 Page 53
Thus, we had no possibilities to compare the mating season
with pre- or post-mating periods, as the hypothesis testing
would require. However, since two of the latrines at Mandena
appeared to be utilized long-term, similar to the findings
of Irwin et al.(2004),we conclude that the advertisement
of sexual receptivity is unlikely the sole function of lemur
latrines.
Tab. 1: Observed primates that have exhibited terrestrial
latrine behaviour. Adapted from Irwin et al. (2004).
Species Localities References
Hapalemur
meridionalis
Mandena Conservation
Zone
This study
Hapalemur
griseus
Analamazaotra
Special Reserve
Irwin et al. (2004)
Prolemur
simus
Ranomafana
National Park
P. Wright (in Irwin et al., 2004)
Lemur catta Isalo National Park
J. Jernvall and P. Wright
(in Irwin et al., 2004)
Lepilemur
leucopus
Beza Mahafaly
Special Reserve
L. Nash (in Irwin et al., 2004)
Lepilemur Manombo Special J. Ratsimbazafy (in Irwin et al.,
microdon Reserve
2004)
Lepilemur sp.
(?microdon)
Kalambatritra
Special Reserve
Irwin et al. (2004)
Lepilemur
ruficaudatus
Kirindy Forest
J.U. Ganzhorn (in Irwin et al.,
2004)
Ateles
geoffroyi
Runaway Creek Nature
Preserve, Belize
Notman et al. (2009)
Alouatta
seniculus
Nouragues Reserve,
French Guiana
Pouvelle et al. (2009)
Gentle lemurs have a particularly effective predator avoidance
strategy including camouflage from cryptic pelage, rapid
flight behaviour,and potential cathemeral activity pattern
(Mutschler et al., 1999; Curtis et al., 2006; Tan, 2006). Several
potential predators of Hapalemur exist in the littoral forest.
There have been documented cases of fossa Cryptoprocta
ferox preying on H. griseus (Goodman and Pidgeon, 1999;
Sterling and McFadden,2000).The Madagascar tree boa Sanzinia
madagascariensis (= Boa manditra) also prey on Hapalemur
spp.(Goodman et al.,1993;Rakotandravany et al.,1998),
and several aerial predators (Madagascar harrier hawk Polyboroides
radiatus, Frances’s sparrowhawk Accipiter francesii,
Henst’s goshawk Accipiter henstii,common barn owl Tyto alba,
and the Madagascar long-eared owl Asio madagascariensis)
represent a threat to medium-sized lemurs (Goodman et al.,
1993; Wright, 1997; Karpanty and Goodman 1999). In fact,
the concealment of Hapalemur faeces under large high-rooted
trees may theoretically act as a safeguard against predation
by impairing the ability of a predator to detect the prey
population (Boonstra et al.,1996;Irwin et al.,2004).Although
these observations are in accord with the anti-predator idea,
single faecal deposits were also detected at indiscriminate
locations. Thus, more data are necessary to test the hypothesis
of latrine behaviour as an anti-predator strategy.
Intra-group spacing has also been suggested to advertise
proximal resource use and assist in inter-individual spacing
(Kruuk,1992).In accord with Irwin et al.(2004),however,it is
unlikely that Hapalemur latrine behaviour is used for intragroup
spacing, as they live in cohesive family units.
The territorial demarcation hypothesis suggests that scentmarks
are placed around home range boundaries to act as a
delineation of the territory, i.e. inter-group spacing (Mertl-
Millhollen, 1979; Lewis, 2005). In fact, it is evident from our
observations that H.meridionalis chose defecation sites in the
narrow areas of overlap with neighbouring conspecifics
groups (Fig. 1). If this adaptive function holds true, latrine
behaviour might be even more common in areas of dense
population (Irwin et al.,2004),such as the forest fragments of
Mandena (Eppley and Donati, in press).
Although the exhibition of preferred, non-random defecation
sites is most likely multifactorial,latrines in Mandena appear
to best fulfil the function of inter-group spacing. Therefore,
latrines may be a low-energy behavioural response to
the ecological challenge of defending resources with minimal
rates of agonism (Irwin et al.,2004).In the future,more quantitative
studies should focus on seasonal and spatial exhibition
of latrine use to verify whether this behaviour is intrinsically
linked to territorial delineation and resource defence in
lemurs.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the Commission Tripartite of the
Malagasy government, Ministère de l’Environnement, des
Eaux et forêts of the Malagasy government,the University of
Antananarivo, and CAFF/CORE for permission to conduct
research, as well as the Malagasy Institute for the Conservation
of Tropical Environments (MICET) for all of their logistical
assistance. Financial support was provided partly by the
Chester Zoo (NEZS) and QMM.We would also like to thank
the QMM Environmental Team, most especially Manon Vincelette,
Jean-Baptiste Ramanamanjato, Johny Rabenantoandry,
Faly Randriatafika, and Christophe Rambolamanana for
all of their advice and logistical help. We are grateful to Jörg
Ganzhorn for all of his continuous support and scientific advice.Thank
you to the entire staff of the Oxford Brookes Primate
Conservation MSc program, especially Simon Bearder,
Anna Nekaris, and Vincent Nijman. We greatly appreciate
the GIS assistance of Maureen Mullen. My sincere gratitude
goes to my field guide Robertin "Tintin" Ravelomanantsoa
and research assistant Abi Coleman for their companionship
and tireless help in the marecage.
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Lemur latrines: observations of latrine behavior in wild