Avahi betsileo, Andriantompohavana et al., 2007

Russell A. Mittermeier, Anthony B. Rylands & Don E. Wilson, 2013, Indriidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 3 Primates, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 142-175 : 165

4.

Betsileo Woolly Lemur

Avahi betsileo

French: Avahi des Betsileo / German: Betsileo-Wollmaki / Spanish: Lémur lanudo de Betsileo

Taxonomy. Avahi betsileo Andriantompohavana et al., 2007 ,

Province of Fianarantsoa, region Amoron’t Mania, district of Fandriana, Bemosary Classified Forest, approx. 20° 20° S, 47° 33’ E, and south of the Mangoro River.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. EC Madagascar, currently known only from the Bemosary Classified Forest (Fandriana), but limits of the distribution may ultimately prove to extend from the Mangoro River in the N to the Mananjary River in the S.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 26-31 cm, tail 28.3-34.4 cm; weight 1.1-2 kg. The Betsileo Woolly Lemur differs from other eastern woolly lemurs in having primarily light reddish-brown pelage on the upper body and on the dorsal surface of extremities. The underside is dark gray toward the midline, diffusing to a light gray ventro-laterally. The tail is mainly reddish-brown and darker on the dorsal surface than on the ventralside, which is a lighter reddish-blonde. There is a distinct facial mask, with grayish pelage under the mandible and diffuse, cream-colored eyebrow markings. The fur is thicker on the head than in other eastern species of Avahi , giving it a more rounded or ovallike appearance.

Habitat. Primary tropical rainforest.

Food and Feeding. There is no information available for this species.

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but the Betsileo Woolly Lemur is nocturnal and arboreal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. However, at the IUCN/SSC Lemur Red-Listing Workshop held in July 2012, A. betsileo was assessed as endangered due to its very small extent of occurrence of only 200 km?, its fragmented habitat, and continuing decline. It is severely threatened by deforestation and corresponding habitat loss. The Betsileo Woolly Lemur is not known to occur in any official protected areas but is found in Bemosary Classified Forest, which provides some degree of protection.

Bibliography. Andriantompohavana et al. (2007), Lei et al. (2008), Markolf et al. (2011), Mittermeier et al. (2010), Rumpler et al. (2011).

Figures

On following pages: 12. Crowned Sifaka (Propithecus coronatus); 13. Coquerel’s Sifaka (Propithecus coquerell); 14. Tattersall’s Sifaka (Propithecus tattersall); 15. Diademed Sifaka (Propithecus diadema); 16. Milne-Edwards's Sifaka (Propithecus edwardsi); 17. Silky Sifaka (Propithecus candidus); 18. Perrier’s Sifaka (Propithecus perrieri).

Distribution. EC Madagascar, currently known only from the Bemosary Classified Forest (Fandriana), but limits of the distribution may ultimately prove to extend from the Mangoro River in the N to the Mananjary River in the S.