22.

Bemaraha Sportive Lemur

Lepilemur randrianasoloi

French: Lépilémur de Randrianasolo / German: Randrianasolo-Wieselmaki / Spanish: Lémur saltador de Randrianasolo

Other common names: Randrianasolo’s Sportive Lemur

Taxonomy. Lepilemur randrianasoli Andriaholinirina ef al., 2006,

Madagascar, Andramasay (c.19° 28’ S, 44° 29’ E), province of Toliary.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. CW Madagascar, known from the type locality, Andramasay, two larger forest fragments N and E of Andramasay, as well as Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park and the adjacent Strict Nature Reserve; it probably occurs throughout the entire area between the Tsiribihina River in the S and the Manambolo Riverin the N, although more research is needed to confirm the limits of its distribution.

Descriptive notes. Head-body ¢.28-7 cm, tail ¢.27-6 cm; weight 775 g. The Bemaraha Sportive Lemuris similar to the Antafia Sportive Lemur ( L. aeeclis) but it is slightly smaller, with a narrower, longer head, which is most pronounced in males. The overall coloration is light gray, with a mixture of reddish-brown and gray on the dorsal surface of the forearms, hindlimbs, shoulders, and back. The face is a lighter gray, producing a mask-like appearance. A darker line is present mid-dorsally on the head, and thetail is a lighter red than the rest of the body

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Habitat. Dry forest.

Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but it is presumably largely folivorous.

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. Nocturnal and arboreal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. This species has not been studied in the wild.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I. Classified as Data Deficient on The [UCN Red List. However, at the [UCN/SSC Lemur Red-Listing Workshop held in July 2012, L. randrianasoloi was assessed as endangered. The Bemaraha Sportive Lemur is known to occur in two adjacent protected areas, Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park and Strict Nature Reserve. Loss of habitat is probably the most serious threat.

Bibliography. Andriaholinirina, Fausseret al. (2006), Dammhahn et al. (2009), Louis, Engberg et al. (2006), Mittermeier et al. (2010).