Hapalemur griseus griseus (Link, 1795)

Scientific name:

Hapalemur griseus griseus

Scientist name:

(Link, 1795)

Malagasy:

Bokombolo, Kotrika, Kontè (Ambalarondra region)

English:

Gray Bamboo Lemur

German:

Östlicher Bambuslemur, Grauer Bambuslemur

Other english:

Eastern Gray Bamboo Lemur, Eastern Lesser Bamboo Lemur, Gray Gentle Lemur

French:

Petit Hapalémur gris

Family:

LEMURIDAE Gray, 1821

Taxa:

Hapalemur

Species

Identification

Hapalemur griseus is the best known of the bamboo lemurs and also one of the smallest. The nominate form has a head-body length of around 30 cm, a tail length of 37 cm, a total length of 67 cm, and a weight of 700–850 g (Glander et al., 1992; Terranova and Coffman, 1997; Rabarivola et al., 2007; C. P. Groves, pers. comm.). The coat color ranges from gray to olivaceous to rust-brown, and there are usually darker and more reddish patches on the head and shoulders. The face is lighter colored. Males and females are not sexually dimorphic. Bamboo lemurs are easy to identify. They are different from members of the genus Eulemur (the only other sympatric diurnal lemurs with which they might be confused) in being considerably smaller and in having a shorter muzzle. They are also usually found in or near stands of bamboo.

Natural history

Field studies have been carried out on this subspecies in Analamazaotra. There, population density was estimated at 47–62 individuals/km2 (Pollock, 1979b), and home range size at 6–10 ha (Wright, 1986).

Geographic range

Before recent taxonomic splitting of what was thought to be the most widespread of the bamboo lemurs, the presumed range of Hapalemur griseus extended through all remaining tropical moist lowland and montane forests in eastern Madagascar, from the latitude of Lake Alaotra in the north to Ranomafana in the south, wherever bamboo is present (Rabarivola et al., 2007). However, the geographic distributions of the different forms that make up this genus have recently been revised by Rabarivola et al. (2007). According to these authors the nominate form, H. g. griseus, is now restricted to central-eastern Madagascar, roughly from the Onibe River south to the Nesivolo River (which separates it from Hapalemur griseus gilberti).

Conservation status

The most recent IUCN Red List assessment (2008) classified H. griseus griseus as Vulnerable (VU). However, this subspecies now has a smaller range than was believed at the time of the 2006 Red List assessment and needs to be reassessed. It is known to occur in two special reserves (Analamazaotra and Mangerivola), as well as in the Betampona Strict Nature Reserve and Mantadia National Park (E. E. Louis Jr., pers. obs.). As of 2010, there was a small captive population of around 16 individuals in Europe and North America listed as Hapalemur griseus. Unfortunately, these animals are of unknown origin and very possibly hybridized with other Hapalemur taxa (ISIS, 2009).

Where to see it

The best place to see H. griseus griseus on the tourist circuit is at Andasibe (= Périnet) (Analamazaotra Special Reserve and Mantadia National Park). In this area and elsewhere, it is most likely to be observed at dusk in stands of common bamboo. In Analamazaotra, a group is often seen in bamboo right next to an old warden’s house near the fish ponds, in various bamboo stands on the trail into the indri viewing area, and sometimes even along the main road heading into Andasibe village.

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Species

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