Varecia rubra (E. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1812)

Russell A. Mittermeier, Anthony B. Rylands & Don E. Wilson, 2013, Lemuridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 3 Primates, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 90-141 : 141

21.

Red Ruffed Lemur

Varecia rubra

French: Vari roux / German: Roter Vari / Spanish: Lémur de collar rojo

Taxonomy. Lemur ruber E. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1812 ,

Madagascar.

Variations in color pattern are well known in this species, but they have not been attributed to clear geographic regions. It may possibly intergrade with V. variegata subcincta; the confluence of the Vohimara and Antainambalana rivers has been investigated as a possible contact or hybrid zone between the two without conclusive results. Monotypic.

Distribution. NE Madagascar, confined to the Masoala Peninsula and the region immediately N of the Bay of Antongil, the Antainambalana River appears to separate it from the Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur ( V. variegata subcincta), but the W limit of the range remains unclear; it may have occurred as far N as Antalaha in the past, but this Is uncertain.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 50-55 cm, tail 60-65 cm; weight 3.3-6 kg. The dominant coat color of the Red Ruffed Lemur is a deep wine-red (but sometimes also redorange or honey-blonde) that covers much of the dorsal body surface, legs, throat, cheeks, and ear tufts. The underside, tail, insides of limbs, feet, face, forehead, muzzle, and crown are black. There is also a white patch on the nape, and small, lighter colored patches may also be present on heels, digits, and muzzle.

Habitat. Primary and some secondary tropical moist lowland forest to elevations of 1200 m. The Red Ruffed Lemur prefers tall forest, and it is often seen in crowns of large feeding trees.

Food and Feeding. Diets of the Red Ruffed Lemur consist mainly of fruit, supplemented with flowers, nectar, and leaves. In one study conducted in May—November, they fed on ripe fruits 73-9% of their feeding time, flowers 5-:3%, and leaves 20-9% (18:3% of these mature). Only a few plant species were used as food resources: 72:5% of the observed feeding bouts occurred in only seven tree species. Individuals fed on 42 plant species compared to the 106 species available to them in their home range. Composition of the diet varied from month to month, but fruits were consistently the main dietary item, even when they were hard to find. Core areas within their home ranges always occurred in habitats with large fruit-bearing trees. In the cold-wet season when few fruits were available, the study group split into subgroups to use different core areas. Females reportedly eat more low-fiber, high-protein items (young leaves and flowers) prior to giving birth and during lactation, presumably to meet the higher energy demands of reproduction. At Andranobe, 132 plant species in 36 families were eaten over the course of a year.

Breeding. Reproduction of the Red Ruffed Lemur is similar to the Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur . Mating of the Red Ruffed Lemur occurs in early July, and infants are born in October and fully weaned by February.

Activity patterns. The Red Ruffed Lemur is arboreal and diurnal. In one study at Andranobe, individuals spent 28% oftheir time feeding, 53% resting, and 19% traveling. Females fed more and rested less than males. The Red Ruffed Lemur is most active during the hot-rainy season.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Red Ruffed Lemur has been studied in forests of Ambatonakolahy and Andranobe on the Masoala Peninsula. Social organization is described as fission-fusion, and groups are usually multimale-multifemale with 5-31 individuals. Home ranges are 23-58 ha and appear to be defended. Density is variously estimated at 6 ind/km?, 21-23 ind/km?®, and 31-54 ind/km?.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. However, at the IUCN/SSC Lemur Red-Listing Workshop held in July 2012, V. rubra was assessed as critically endangered. The principal threats to the Red Ruffed Lemur are habitat loss and hunting. Because of their large size and evident need for tall primary forest, they are particularly susceptible to human encroachment, and hunting and trapping for food still takes place. Furthermore, remaining populations are concentrated on the Masoala Peninsula and may be threatened by the frequent cyclones. Masoala was the national park most affected by the very rapid upsurge of illegal logging after political events of early 2009, and logging continued well into 2010. It is highly likely that logging is accompanied by at least some hunting. The only protected area where it is known to occur is Masoala National Park.

Bibliography. Brockman et al. (1987a, 1987b), Ceska et al. (1992), Foerg (1982a), Hekkala & Rakotondratsima (1999), Hekkala et al. (2007), Kremen (1998), Lindsay & Simons (1986), Mittermeier et al. (2010), Morland (1990), Meyer et al. (1999), Pereira et al. (1987), Petter & Petter-Rousseaux (1979), Petter et al. (1977), Rakotondratsima & Kremen (2001), Rasmussen (1985), Rigamonti (1993, 1996), Schwitzer (2003), Simons & Lindsay (1987), Tattersall (1977, 1982), Vasey (1996, 1997a, 1997b, 1999, 2000a, 2000b, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005a, 2005b, 2006, 2007), Vasey & Tattersall (2002).

Figures

Distribution. NE Madagascar, confined to the Masoala Peninsula and the region immediately N of the Bay of Antongil, the Antainambalana River appears to separate it from the Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur ( V. variegata subcincta), but the W limit of the range remains unclear; it may have occurred as far N as Antalaha in the past, but this Is uncertain.