Lepilemur microdon (Forsyth Major, 1894)

Scientific name:

Lepilemur microdon

Scientist name:

(Forsyth Major, 1894)

Malagasy:

Fitiliky, Hataka, Trangalavaka, Kotrika

English:

Small-toothed Sportive Lemur

German:

Kleinzahn-Wieselmaki

Other english:

Small-toothed Weasel Lemur

French:

Lépilemur aux petits dents

Family:

LEPILEMURIDAE Gray, 1870

Taxa:

Lepilemur

Species

Identification

Lepilemur microdon is a large sportive lemur with a head-body length of 27–32 cm, a tail length of 25–29 cm, a total length of 55–64 cm, and a body weight of 900 g–1.2 kg (Louis et al., 2006b; Garbutt, 2007). The dorsal coat is thick and reddish-brown, and sports a dark midline stripe, while the underside, including the face and neck, are a pale gray- brown, sometimes with a yellowish tinge on the abdomen. The forelimbs and shoulders are a rich chestnut-brown, and the tail darkens toward the tip. This species is very similar in appearance to L. mustelinus, and indeed the two are almost impossible to distinguish under field conditions, making geographic location the best means of identifying individuals seen in the wild. This species is most likely to be confused with the similar-sized Avahi, which also adopts a vertical clinging posture, and to a lesser extent with Cheirogaleus, which moves about quadrupedally. Closer observation will reveal that the small-toothed sportive lemur has prominent ears and lacks the white thigh patches of Avahi, and that it is significantly larger than Cheirogaleus and moves about by leaping.

Natural history

The small-toothed sportive lemur is nocturnal and solitary, and spends its days asleep hidden in a tree cavity or in a tangle of vines and leaves. It feeds on leaves, fruits, and flowers (Ganzhorn, 1988). Petter et al. (1977) pointed out that this species and L. mustelinus, both of which inhabit densely vegetated eastern rain forests, appear to vocalize far less than do sportive lemurs of more open and drier forested regions.

Geographic range

Southeastern Madagascar. The range of this species currently appears to extend in a northeast to southwest trajectory from Ranomafana National Park to Andringitra National Park (Louis et al., 2006b). However, the relationships between the various Lepilemur taxa of southeastern Madagascar are in need of much further study, and what is presented here in terms of range must be considered tentative and likely to be modified in the near future.

Conservation status

There is insufficient information to determine the conservation status of L. microdon and the latest IUCN Red List assessment (2008) classified it as Data Deficient (DD). It is reported to occur in two national parks (Andringitra and Ranomafana). It is also provisionally listed as occurring in Midongy du Sud National Park in the extreme south of its range, though the population there may perhaps be L. fleuretae. As of 2009, this species was not being kept in captivity (ISIS, 2009).

Where to see it

Small-toothed sportive lemurs are most easily seen in Ranomafana National Park in the Vohiparara region. Although tourists typically do not visit this region of the park, arrangements for nocturnal hikes can be arranged with local guides at the park headquarters.

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