Predators of these lemurs have not been reported. However, it seems likely that avian predators such as raptors, and terrestrial predators like fossas, are the principle predators on these animals.
Crowned lemurs average about the size of a small house cat. The head and body length is approximately 34 cm; tail length is 45 cm; cranial length is 8 cm; and ear length is 4 cm. This species is named because of the characteristic crown shaped hair coloration on the top of heads. This patch of hair is usually orange. Other color patterns in the pelage reflect slight sexual dimorphism, with males having brown gray bodies, dark tails, gray faces, and black noses, and females having a distinctly lighter coloration with white bellies.
The lower 6 incisors and canines form a dental comb, which is typical for all lemurs.
Also typical of all lemurs is the long tail, which is used for balance. This tail is not prehensile. In both males and females, the tail darkens distally.
Range mass: 0 to 0 kg.
Average mass: 2 kg.
Average length: 34 cm.
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes colored or patterned differently; male more colorful
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Members of this genus are repored to reach up to 36 years of age in captivity. Lifespan in the wild is likely to be lower. Eulemur coronatus is probably like other members in the genus in regard to lifespan.
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 27 years.
Crowned lemurs are found in the dry forests of of Cap d'Ambre and Sakalava. They are also found on the slopes of Mt. d'Ambre but their densities decrease at higher elevations. This is possibly due to the increase in humidity at these elevations. In the forests of Ankarana, these lemurs are found more frequently in the canopy forest as opposed to the edges or degraded forest areas.
Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: forest ; scrub forest
Crowned lemurs, Eulemur coronatus, are found exclusively in the north of Madagascar. More specifically, their range stretches from the northern most point of Cap d'Ambre to the Fanambana River in the south of this region. This species extends westward as far as the town of Ambilobe on the Sambirano River, and its range hugs the coastline on the east.
Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )
Other Geographic Terms: island endemic
The fossil record of lemurs dates back to the Eocene. Until recently, crowned lemurs were considered a subspecies of Lemur mongoz (now known as Euleum mongoz) but today, they are recognized as distinct species living in distinct, unshared regions.
It is important to remember that crowned lemurs, like all other lemurs, are found only on Madagascar, and therefore offer us a unique opportunity to investigate the role of a specific and isolated environment on the evolutionary and biological traits of a group of animals.
As in other primates, communication in this species is complex. It involes chemical elements, in the form of scent marking, as well as visual elements, in the form of body postures and facial expressions. In additon to these forms of communication, this species uses grooming (a tactile form of communication) to maintain and establish social bonds. like other lemurs, these animals also use vocalizations to communicate with one another.
Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Other Communication Modes: scent marks
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Habitat distruction is the major threat facing crowned lemurs. These lemurs tend to stay within the boundries of four reserves: the Forest d'Ambre, the Montagne d'Ambre National Park, and the Analamera and Ankarana special reserves. These areas, which at one time formed a stable band of forest within which crowned lemur populations could travel, have become isolated patches due to logging, burning, and grazing. Also, poaching of these lemurs for food is increasing. They are listed as a priority in terms of IUCN's conservation concern taxa. Today, conservation measures aim toward better management of these four reserves and educating local communites.
US Federal List: endangered
CITES: appendix i
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: vulnerable
Because of their relatively small population sizes and their general lack of contact with humans, crowned lemurs have very little negative impact on people, economically or otherwise.
On Madagascar, crowned lemurs are often taken in as house pets. They may also be hunted for meat. Beyond this, ecotourism with the intent of veiwing such charismatic creatures may help the human economy of Madagascar.
Positive Impacts: pet trade ; food ; ecotourism
The role of these aminals within their ecosystem has not been studied in depth. As frugivores, Eulemur coronatus may be important in seed dispersal. As nectivores, these primates may aid in plant pollination. To the extent that these animals fall prey to other mammals and birds, E. coronatus may influence local food webs.
Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds; pollinates
The major component of the diet of crowned lemurs diet seems to be fruits. Although these animals spend most of their time in levels of the forest above the ground, they do descend to pick up fallen fruit. During the wet season, crowned lemurs occationally eat leaves as well.
During the dry season, crowned lemurs search out waterholes, often found deep inside caves, for water. Occasionally, flowers, pollen, and insects are also eaten.
Animal Foods: insects
Plant Foods: leaves; seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit; pollen; flowers
Primary Diet: herbivore (Frugivore )
Crowned lemurs are polygynous, but with little intrasexual selection among males. It has been suggested that this, along with the absence of a male size advantage, has facilitated the evolution of the pattern of female dominance that is observed in these lemurs.
Mating System: polygynous
Gestation length is roughly 125 days. Matings occur in late May and June, resulting in births between mid September and October. Earlier births coincide with the first rainfalls. Early births also tend to occur in nutritionally richer, wetter areas. Conversely, later births seem to occur in drier forests where fruit availability is low. Single infants and twins appear to be equally common.
Nursing continues until 5 to 6 months of age. Sexual maturity in crowned lemurs is reached at approximately 20 months.
Breeding interval: These lemurs are capable of breeding annually.
Breeding season: Matings occur in late May and June.
Range number of offspring: 1 to 2.
Average gestation period: 125 days.
Range weaning age: 5 to 6 months.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 20 months.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 20 months.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous
Average birth mass: 70 g.
Average gestation period: 126 days.
Average number of offspring: 1.5.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 608 days.
Infants ride on their mothers' bellies for the first 3 weeks, shifting to nurse and sometimes moving to the back later on. Females nurse their young until they are 5 to 6 months old. The role of males in parental care has not been documented.
Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-independence (Protecting: Female); extended period of juvenile learning
The crowned lemur (Eulemur coronatus) is a lemur that is 31–36 cm (12–14 in)[4] long and weighs 2 kg (4.4 lb). Its tail is about 42–51 cm (17–20 in) long.
The crowned lemur is endemic to the dry deciduous forests of the northern tip of Madagascar.[5][6] It eats a diet of mostly flowers, fruits, and leaves. The population is estimated to 1000–10,000 individuals as of 2004, most of which live within the Ankarana Plateau,[7][8] although there is also a population on the Montagne d'Ambre. This species has a distinctive brown-orange crown on the top of the head. Females have a gray body with an orange crown, and males are a darker reddish brown, crowned with black and orange.[9] Crowned lemurs have a life span of approximately 20 years and reach sexual maturity after 20 months. They give birth usually in late September or early October, after a gestation period of 125 days.
The crowned lemur is in the order of Primates as it possesses characteristics such as pseudo-opposable thumbs, binocular vision and is highly intelligent. E. coronatus shares with others of the family Lemuridae long and slender limbs, a slightly longer nose, a smaller brain and a 'grooming comb' formed by the incisors and canine teeth.
The crowned lemur possesses a long non-prehensile tail used for balance when jumping from branch to branch and for communication within the closely knit, female-led social group.[5]
This member of the genus Eulemur is primarily diurnal but has periods of feeding activity at night too.[5]
Eulemur coronatus is thought to live exclusively in the northern region of Madagascar, ranging from the northernmost tip of the island, on the Cap d'Ambre Peninsula, extending south to the east bank of the Mahavavy River. Its range extends east, to the north of Sambava along the banks of the Manambato River.[10]
E. coronatus can be found anywhere in the tropical dry forests of the Ankarana Reserve to the mid-altitude rainforests of Montagne d'Ambre. They can be found at altitudes between sea level and 1,400 m (4,600 ft). Crowned lemurs live in sympatry with the Eulemur sanfordi (Sanford's brown lemur), sharing the same habitat. Sanford's brown lemurs are distinguishable by color as they are more gray and brown with no v-shaped crown on their forehead. The male Sanford lemur also have characteristic white ruffs around their ears and cheeks that are absent from the crowned lemurs.[10]
The crowned lemurs of Ankarana Reserve are the only lemurs in this region known to traverse the razor-sharp tsingy (the eroded limestone rock that is characteristic of this national park) as they head into the forest early in the morning and as they leave the forest just before sunset to settle in the safer canyon forest in the center of these rock fields for the night.
The crowned lemur (Eulemur coronatus) is a lemur that is 31–36 cm (12–14 in) long and weighs 2 kg (4.4 lb). Its tail is about 42–51 cm (17–20 in) long.