Cheirogaleus crossleyi A. Grandidier, 1870

Scientific name:

Cheirogaleus crossleyi

Scientist name:

A. Grandidier, 1870

Malagasy:

Matavirambo, Tsitsihy (northeast)

English:

Crossley’s Dwarf Lemur

German:

Crossley’s Fettschwanzmaki

Other english:

Furry-eared Dwarf Lemur

French:

Cheirogale de Crossley

Family:

CHEIROGALEIDAE Gray, 1873

Taxa:

Cheirogaleus

Species

Identification

Cheirogaleus crossleyi is one of several dwarf lemur species that re-emerged from the former Cheirogaleus major as a result of the taxonomic revision by Groves (2000). Its head-body length is 22–26 cm, its tail length 21–27 cm, and its average total length is 50 cm. The dorsal coat is reddish-brown, and the ventral coat is gray, turning creamy toward the midline. The mid-facial zone is yellowish, this coloring extending above the eyes, which are surrounded by blackish rings. The ears are heavily pigmented, and covered with black fur both inside and out, and help to distinguish this species from C. major, along with its reddish color and blacker, more pronounced eye rings. As indicated above in the generic description for Cheirogaleus, Groeneveld et al. (2009) found five terminal clades within C. crossleyi, which may well turn out to be distinct species. This species can easily be confused with C. major in areas where the two are sympatric.

Natural history

Although there are no studies of the behavior and ecology of this species published under the name C. crossleyi, those studies conducted on C. major in Andasibe (= Périnet) would refer to this animal (e.g., Petter-Rousseaux, 1964; Pollock, 1979b).

Geographic range

The range of C. crossleyi remains to be fully determined. Groves (2000) describes it as running inland to that of C. major in eastern Madagascar and extending further to the north. Localities in eastern central Madagascar include Lac Alaotra, Andasibe (= Périnet), Imerina, and the mid- to low- altitude forests at Tsinjoarivo where Blanco et al. (2009) and Groeneveld et al. (2010) recorded it at Talatakely and Vatateza and, sympatric with C. sibreei, at Andasivodihazo. Cheirogaleus crossleyi is also sympatric with C. major in Ranomafana National Park (P. C. Wright, pers. comm.). Localities in the northeast include Sambava, Manatenina, and Vohémar (Groeneveld et al., 2009, 2010). According to Hapke et al. (2005), this is one of three dwarf lemurs found west of Tolagnaro (= Fort-Dauphin). Cheirogaleus major and C. medius are also found in the region, although not to date in the same forests. Both C. crossleyi and C. medius occur in humid forest remnants in the Lavasoa- Ambatotsirongorongo mountains (west of Fort-Dauphin) (A. Hapke, pers. comm.). Despite its apparently wide distribution, there are thus far no indications of geographic differences within this species (C. P. Groves, pers. comm.).

Conservation status

There is insufficient information to determine the conservation status of C. crossleyi, so the latest IUCN Red List assessment (2008) classified it as Data Deficient (DD). It is believed to be present in a number of protected areas, including the Zahamena Strict Nature Reserve, the Analamazaotra Special Reserve, and at least two national parks, Mantadia and Zahamena. As of 2010, this species was not being kept in captivity (I. J. Porton, pers. comm.).

Where to see it

A good place to see this species in the wild is the Analamazaotra Special Reserve near Andasibe (= Périnet). Dwarf lemurs are quite common there in the wet season (November through April), and can sometimes be seen feeding on traveler’s palm (Ravenala madagascariensis) sap right next to the Feon’ny Ala Hotel at the edge of the forest. Indeed, one sometimes sees groups of 30–40 tourists clustered around a few traveler’s palms right next to the restaurant of this hotel, observing two or three individuals of this species happily feeding without any fear of their human admirers. They are also fond of moving back and forth on power lines at this location. Both C. major and C. crossleyi can also be seen in Ranomafana National Park.

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Cheirogaleus crossleyi A. Grandidier, 1870

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Cheirogaleus crossleyi A. Grandidier, 1870

Species

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