Biology
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The basic social group of the western woolly lemur consists of a monogamous breeding pair and their offspring (2) (5). A single offspring is usually born between September and October after a gestation period of 120 to 150 days, and juveniles may remain with their natal group until up to two years of age (2) (5). Family units occupy overlapping home ranges of two hectares and territories are defended and demarcated via calls (2).
Almost exclusively nocturnal, the western woolly lemur becomes active around dusk. The family unit largely stays together while foraging. The bulk of the diet consists of young leaves and buds taken from at least 20 different plant species (2). This folivorous diet is, however, highly specialized, including tree species that are relatively rare (6).
Conservation
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The western woolly lemur is confirmed in only two protected areas, Ankarafantsika Nature Reserve and Manongarivo Special Reserve, although this species has also been reported in Ankarana Special Reserve (2) (4). It has so far been impossible to keep western woolly monkeys in captivity, probably because of their highly selective folivorous diet. It appears, therefore, that conservation of forests in situ where this species occurs is the best viable option of protecting the western woolly lemur (6).
Description
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Western woolly lemurs are medium sized lemurs that, like all indriids, are characterized by long powerful hind limbs adapted to their specialized mode of locomotion: vertical clinging and leaping (2) (3). The dense and woolly coat is pale grey on the underparts and throat and medium-grey on the upper parts, with tinges of sandy brown on the back and tail. The face is rounded and pale with a dark muzzle. Although similar in overall appearance to its eastern relative, the eastern woolly lemur (Avahi laniger), the western woolly lemur is smaller in size and much paler (2).
Habitat
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Found in dry deciduous forests and moist forests in the Sambirano region (2). Predominantly arboreal, most often found in the canopy (5).
Range
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Restricted to fragmented areas of western and north-western Madagascar (2). The population in Bemaraha, traditionally classed as Avahi occidentalis, has recently been reclassified as a distinct species, Avahi cleesei (4).
Status
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Classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List (1).
Threats
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15 species of lemur have become extinct since sea-faring humans arrived on Madagascar's shores around 2,000 years ago, and humanity is still wreaking ecological destruction on the island (7). Habitat destruction through forest felling and burning poses the principle threat to the biodiversity on Madagascar, including the western woolly lemur (2). Small-scale but widespread clearing of forests is conducted for firewood, cattle grazing, charcoal production, and construction materials. In the dry season people often set brush fires to clear pasture for cattle but the fires frequently burn out of control and threaten protected areas (8). Hunting also occurs in some regions. These factors, coupled with the species' restricted range, give cause for concern (2).
Western woolly lemur
provided by wikipedia EN
The western woolly lemur or western avahi (Avahi occidentalis) is a species of woolly lemur native to western Madagascar, where they live in dry deciduous forests. These nocturnal animals weigh 0.7–0.9 kg (1.5–2.0 lb). It is a folivorous species.
The western woolly lemurs live in monogamous pairs together with their offspring.
Ecology
The Western woolly lemur mostly consumes leaves and buds that derive from around 20 different plants which have not matured and have high levels of sugars and proteins.[4][5] The food is typically consumed within the time frame of two hours before dawn and two hours after dusk, in which the lemurs consume their food at the tops of trees ranging between 2 and 9 metres. During feeding time, lemurs typically settle on thinner branches unless the tree itself is too small to support the animal's weight. Most likely due to the lemur's folivorous diet, Western woolly lemurs spend large amounts of time resting in order to conserve energy.[4]
Behavior
Western woolly lemurs travel in pairs with their mate and offspring. These pairs are female-dominated and usually very peaceful. However, if conflicts do arise, they are always initiated and resolved by the female. The female Western woolly lemur also is known for not showing submission towards a male partner.[6]
Conservation
Because the Avahi as a species is highly selective in their folivorous diet, depending on plants with specific characteristics, it is hard to keep Avahi in captivity. Therefore, one of the primary and most general ways of conserving the species is to conserve the forests in which Avahi are currently found.[5][7]
Description
The species is located northeast of Bombetoka Bay, in northwestern Madagascar. Its facial fur is white, white-grey, or cream, and forms an outline that contrasts with its surrounding facial features. There is a small darker spot of fur above the nose within the facial outline, and the light facial hair extends below the ears. The eyes have a yellow-brown tint and are surrounded by a circle of black, hairless skin. The nose is black and hairless, and the hair surrounding the nose has a white tint. Its head and body is a brown-grey or yellowish-brown color, and the fur is lightly curled and may appear freckled (some may have a darker color along the back). The tail is pale gray or has tints of greyish-beige, but can also have tints of red, and occasionally, some will have a white tip. On the chest, belly, and inner parts of the body, the fur is fairly thin, light beige, cream, or of an apricot color.[7]
References
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^ a b Eppley, T.M.; Patel, E.; Steffens, T.S. (2020). "Avahi occidentalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T2435A182234286. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T2435A182234286.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
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^ "Checklist of CITES Species". CITES. UNEP-WCMC. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
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^ Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 119. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
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^ a b The Primata. (2007) "Western Woolly Lemur (Avahi occidentalis)". Retrieved 2 April 2013.
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^ a b Arkive. (n.d.) "Western Woolly Lemur (Avahi occidentalis)" Archived 2012-07-28 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
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^ Ramanankirahina, Rindrahatsarana (December 2011). "Peaceful Primates: Affiliation, Aggression, and the Question of Female Dominance in a Nocturnal Pair-Living Lemur (Avahi occidentalis)". American Journal of Primatology. 73 (12): 1261–1268. doi:10.1002/ajp.20998. PMID 21905062. S2CID 11050047.
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^ a b Thelmann, U.; Geissmann, T. (2000). "Distribution and geographic variation in the western woolly lemur (Avahi occidentalis) with description of a new species (A. unicolor)" (PDF). International Journal of Primatology. 21 (6).
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Western woolly lemur: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The western woolly lemur or western avahi (Avahi occidentalis) is a species of woolly lemur native to western Madagascar, where they live in dry deciduous forests. These nocturnal animals weigh 0.7–0.9 kg (1.5–2.0 lb). It is a folivorous species.
The western woolly lemurs live in monogamous pairs together with their offspring.
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- Wikipedia authors and editors
