Mother-Young Feeding Synchrony and Early Food Selection Differences in Eulemur fulvus

I tested the hypothesis that mother-young cofeeding correlates with a systematic similar food selection in wild Mayotte brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus). I simultaneously recorded the feeding behavior of 4 maternal dyad members, from infant birth to weaning, and 10–12 mo of juvenile age, during 10-min focal periods, each separated by 5-min intervals over 10 mo. I recorded the solid food items selected for each feeding behavior at the level of specific plant part, along with the distance between the 2 individuals. I considered feeding behaviors simultaneous (between the young lemurs and their mothers) when the young began to eat a food item while the mother was already eating, regardless of the separation distance. During their first year, most of the feeding events of the young brown lemurs were initiated by their mothers. However, infants also selected different food items from those chosen by their mothers in almost one-third of cases, and the food selection dissimilarity was not attributable to an increase in the distance of separation. For juveniles, dissimilar food selection was significantly lower and linked to an increase in mother-juvenile separation distance. Thus, the substantial proportion of dissimilarity in solid foods selected by the infant during the synchronized feeding behaviors strongly suggests that social influences were not food-specific and might instead drive the acquisition of group feeding activity rhythm rather than food selection habits.     

Effects of Seasonal Water Scarcity on the Ranging Behavior of Eulemur fulvus rufus

The climate of western Madagascar is characterized by a long (8–9 mo) dry season during which small rivers run dry, so that most animals are dependent on access to a few permanent water holes. We studied the effects of water scarcity at the end of the dry season on the ranging behavior of 4 groups of redfronted lemurs (Eulemur fulvus rufus) living at different distances from the Kirindy Riverbed in the Kirindy/CFPF forest northeast of Morondava. Using radio-collars, we located 2 resident groups with permanent home ranges near the river, and 2 non-resident groups and followed them for 60 days. We obtained a GPS reading every 30 min and later analyzed them with GIS ArcView to determine the size and location of each group's (core) home range. One group resided in direct proximity to the riverbed with several water holes and made regular short trips (mean 330 m) to drink. A second resident group had no direct access to water and made regular trips to the same water hole at a mean distance of 590 m from their home range. One non-resident group had a center of activity about 1300 m from the nearest water hole, to which they traveled on a non-daily basis. The other non-resident group established a temporary binuclear home range with one center of activity near the riverbed, about 2900 m away from the other center of activity. Thus, redfronted lemurs use different drinking and ranging tactics as a function of the distance of their core areas from the nearest water source.     

Sexual Dichromatism and Female Preference in Eulemur fulvus Subspecies

We experimentally tested the hypothesis that sexual dichromatism in the subspecies of Eulemur fulvus is the evolutionary result of female preference for brightly colored males. Ten female lemurs representing 6 different subspecies of Eulemur fulvus were subjects in the experiment; controls were 4 females of non-sexually dichromatic lemurid taxa. For each taxon we presented photographs of the face of a male of that taxon whose colors had been digitally altered to make him less and more colourful. Median viewing times of the pooled female Eulemur fulvus are significantly correlated with colorfulness. Viewing times in the control females are not correlated with color or brightness of the stimulus photographs. We concluded that the females of the Eulemur fulvus sspp. preferred to view photographs of more colorful males, which is consistent with the predictions of sexual selection theory.     

Morphological Variation in Populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eulemur albocollaris</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. fulvus rufus</Emphasis>

Sexual dimorphism in body size and canine weaponry is commonly associated with high levels of male-male competition. When group living species do not rely heavily on male-male competition for access to females, sperm competition may represent a viable alternative strategy. Unlike most haplorhine primates, lemurs are typically monomorphic in body weight and canine height. We assessed variability of body mass dimorphism and canine size dimorphism in brown lemurs using morphometric data from 3 populations in southeastern Madagascar: Eulemur fulvus rufus, E. albocollaris, and hybrids of the species. We found significant male-biased canine dimorphism in E. albocollaris in conjunction with body-size monomorphism. We observed similar patterns in the hybrids, but E. fulvus rufus exhibited significant female-biased size dimorphism and canine monomorphism. Testes volume was relatively high across study populations. Thus, sperm competition appears to be strong in brown lemurs. E. albocollaris males combine sperm competition with large canines, but not higher body mass, indicating a difference in sexual strategy from most lemurs. Patterns of body mass and canine size dimorphism are not uniform across brown lemur populations, indicating that future work on these populations can explicitly test models that predict relationships between size dimorphism and various types of competition.     

Adult Male Scent-Marking in Lemur catta and Eulemur fulvus rufus

Scent-marking and olfactory communication are used extensively by prosimians and can provide spatial and temporal records of group movement and behavior. We compare rates of male scent-marking in relation to reproductive seasons, male dominance rank, and habitat use in two related prosimians: Lemur catta and Eulemur fulvus rufus. We collected scent-marking data on adult male Lemur catta at Beza-Mahafaly Reserve (dry forest), and on Eulemur fulvus rufus at Ranomafana National Park (rainforest), Madagascar. In Lemur, rates of overall scent-marking differed significantly by reproductive season, with higher rates occurring in mating and lactation/migration periods, whereas in Eulemur, reproductive season did not appear to affect scent-marking rates. Dominance rank of male Lemur catta did not affect rates of scent-marking. Among male Eulemur fulvus, dominance relations were not apparent; however, 2 of the 5 focal males scent-marked somewhat more frequently during the mating season and also experienced greater mating success. In Lemur catta, higher rates of scent-marking in the mating season may relate to indirect reproductive competition during a period of high aggression, while such mating competition was not as marked in Eulemur fulvus. Furthermore, higher rates of marking in resident male Lemur catta during male migration may correlate with vigilance toward immigrating males. Greater overall scent-marking rates in ring-tailed lemurs may relate to extensive intergroup home range overlap and no area of exclusive use, whereas the red-fronted lemur groups tended to forage in areas of their home range where little-to-no intergroup overlap occurred.     

Bacteriocins from Myxococcus fulvus (Myxobacterales)

Bacteriocin-like activities were found in several Myxococcus fulvus strains. One strain, Mxf16, exerted strong inhibitory effects on several myxobacterial strains. Synthesis of its bacteriocinic activity could not be induced by mitomycin. Electrophoresis and molecular sieve chromatography revealed at least three different bacteriocinic substances of low molecular weight.List of Abbreviations cas lm Casitone liquid medium - TCA trichloroacetic acid     

Relationships among brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus) based on mitochondrial DNA sequences

The brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus) include seven subspecies, whose evolutionary relationships remain contentious. In particular, it is unclear whether the Malagasy and Comorian E. f. fulvus populations are differentiated at the subspecific level (E. f. mayottensis). Furthermore, it has been suggested that E. f. collaris and E. f. albocollaris are separate species. Analyses of approximately 2400 bp of mitochondrial DNA sequence data from part of the COIII gene, together with complete genes for ND3, ND4L, and ND4 and 5 tRNAs, resolved 34 E. fulvus specimens into six clades: ((albocollaris, collaris) (rufus (rufus (fulvus/mayottensis (albifrons/fulvus/sanfordi))))). Based on the information available and our analyses we conclude that E. f. albocollaris and E. f. collaris do not represent species distinct from E. fulvus and that Comorian brown lemurs do not deserve subspecific rank. No genetic differentiation was detected between E. f. albifrons and E. f. sanfordi; on the other hand, there are obviously two separate lineages of E. f. rufus.     

Feeding behavior ofLemur catta andLemur fulvus

The feeding behavior of two sympatric species of lemurs, Lemur cattaand Lemur fulvus,was studied in an enclosure simulating a natural habitat at the Duke University Primate Center. L. fulvusspent less time feeding during the day than L. catta.But the former species ate more fruit and had longer feeding bouts on preferred food items than L. catta.They also had a shorter food passage time than L. cattaand their choice of resting places was more influenced by food distribution. Furthermore, the two lemur species ate parts of different plant species and showed different reactions to chemical plant components. According to these results, L. fulvusis a more conservative feeder than L. catta.These interspecific differences in feeding behavior may be one of a number of differences that allow the two species to coexist. In allopatry, however, L. fulvusmay also adopt feeding patterns similar to those of L. catta.But L. cattawas never found to change its feeding strategies in different areas. It may be this option of L. fulvusto adopt different feeding strategies in different situations that allows this species to have the widest range of all Malagasy lemurs. Duke University Primate Center Publication No. 259.     

Paternity Determination in Two Groups of Eulemur fulvus mayottensis: Implications for Understanding Mating Strategies

We used random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) to determine paternity in two groups of brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus mayottensis). We analyzed the results in relation to behavioral data on observed copulations, dominance relationships among adult males, and female behavior. The association between paternity determination and behavioral sampling shows that paternity determination is a crucial tool for understanding the mating strategies and reproductive success in the studied species. In brown lemurs, dominance relationships between males are correlated with reproductive success, but male social dominance could be altered by female choice as suggested by the ability of subordinate males to sire offspring in the presence of a dominant male.     

Status and structure of the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) population in Crete

Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) population surveys were conducted during 1996–2002 in the island of Crete (Greece) to document population status and structure. Fieldwork was carried out during the breeding period when birds could be monitored in their colonies. Total population size was estimated at 379 individuals (range = 341–417) with adult birds comprising 63%. The breeding population was estimated at 141 pairs, which were distributed on an average in 23 colonies per year (range = 16–30) while the mean number of breeding pairs that laid eggs was 98 (range= 64–126). Crete thus supports the largest insular population of the species in the world and hosts 70–80% of the breeding population of the species in Greece. Population density was estimated at 6.9 individuals/100 km², 2.6 breeding pairs/100 km² and 1.8 nesting pairs/100 km². The average home range of an occupied colony (i.e., breeding group) was estimated at ca. 204 km² producing a theoretical foraging range of 8 km radius around the breeding cliff. No trends in the total number of individuals and breeding pairs appeared to exist, although significant differences in population size of individual colonies occurred between the years. The majority of the population was concentrated in small-sized colonies, which showed a low occupancy rate. The number of abandoned sites and the colonization of new ones could represent a shift of breeding pairs to alternative colonies provoked by local food abundance and conspesific attraction.     

Microflora and internal parasites of the digestive tract of Eurasian griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) in Croatia

Faecal and vomit samples were collected from 12 griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) in May 2002 and examined for bacteria, fungi and parasites. Bacteria present included Escherichia coli, Aeromonas salmonicidia, Proteus sp., Escherichia fergusonii, Providencia alcalifaciens, Micrococcus sp. and Streptococcus sp. Mycological examination revealed the presence of Candida sp., yeasts and in one case, Rhodotorula rubra. Strongyle eggs were found in several samples. In most faecal samples, ascarid eggs of Toxocara type were found. Tapeworm eggs of Moniezia type were present in one faecal sample. Both microbiologic and parasitic findings are most likely the result of the feeding habits of griffon vultures.     

Costs and benefits of multi-male associations in redfronted lemurs (Eulemur fulvus rufus)

The evolution of group-living has fascinated but also puzzled researchers from the inception of behavioural ecology. We use a simple optimality approach to examine some of the costs and benefits of group-living in redfronted lemurs (Eulemur fulvus rufus). We show that dominant males profit from accepting subordinates within their groups, as the latter significantly decrease the likelihood that the group is taken over by intruders. This benefit is large enough to outweigh the costs of reproductive competition and may constitute the driving force behind the evolution of multi-male associations in this species.     

Avian nest predation by a semi-captive collared lemur (Lemur fulvus collaris)

A lemur (Lemur fulvus collaris) in a semi-captive group of six animals at the Duke University Primate Center (DUPC) was observed eating an egg from the nest of a mourning dove (Zenaida macroura). The manner in which the animal had been foraging prior to this incident, and the fact that wild birds at the DUPC frequently direct antipredator behaviors, such as mobbing toward thisL. f. collaris group, suggest that nest predation is part of normal foraging behavior in these animals.     

Feeding behavior of lactating brown lemur females (Eulemur fulvus) in Mayotte: influence of infant age and plant phenology

Altmann [Baboon Mothers and Infants, University of Chicago Press, 1980] and Dunbar and Dunbar [Animal Behavior 36:970-980, 1988] provided a model that predicts the amount of time spent feeding by lactating baboon females, as related to infant age. Dunbar's model further suggests that food quality affects the amount of time that females devote to feeding activity, and is predictable from rainfall and temperature data. In this study the model was tested with data recorded from births of the Mayotte brown lemur from four maternal dyads (Eulemur fulvus). This study also examines the correlation between female activity budget, quantities of fresh plant matter ingested, and suckling duration using data collected from focal animal samples on the mother-infant dyads. The relationships among rainfall, food supply, and food quality were also tested. It appears that female brown lemurs do not devote more time to feeding during the infant growth period. The data show that female brown lemurs increased their food intake during the early-lactating period when the frequency of suckling is the highest, and before infants begin to eat substantial amounts of solid foods. Thus, the frequency of feeding reflects the cost of lactation better than suckling duration. Furthermore, females did not appear to select foods according to their availability or rainfall levels. I hypothesize that the lack of convergence between lemur data and baboon observations is due to differences between their respective environments and their feeding ecology. These data also indicate that the most significant lactating cost for the brown lemur occurs during the early lactation period.     

Group Size, Home Range Use, and Seasonal Variation in the Ecology of Eulemur mongoz

We collected data during a 10-month study carried out on the mongoose lemur, Eulemur mongoz, at Anjamena in northwestern Madagascar, which provide baseline information on seasonal variation in the ecology, home range use and some aspects of the behavior of two neighboring groups. We monitored group size of nine groups in the study area and assessed them for seasonal variation. We present additional information collected during short-term surveys in other areas before and during the study for comparison. The study groups were small family units, and changes in group size were limited to births and emigrations of sexually mature progeny. In spite of clear seasonal changes in climate and vegetation, there is no variation in grouping patterns, so it is not possible to correlate variation in group size with seasonal variation of ecological variables. Comparison with ecological data from other field studies on lemurids reveals differences in food resource distribution in western forests versus other types of Malagasy forest. This distribution of food resources may predict home range size in mixed frugivorous–folivorous lemurs. Small home ranges, mainly in the West, could be correlated with a uniform distribution of food resources. Finally, we suggest that the dry season in the West may not present frugivorous–folivorous lemurs with major problems in finding an adequate food supply. This is supported by the lack of seasonal differences in ranging behavior of mongoose lemurs.     

Rust fungi (Uredinales) found in Marshall Islands and Pohnpei

Uromyces wedeliae, Coleosporium plumeriae, andUredo guettardae are reported for the first time from Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of Marshall Islands, and Pohnpei, Federal States of Micronesia.     

Feeding enrichment by self‐operated food boxes for white‐fronted lemurs (Eulemur fulvus albifrons) in the Masoala exhibit of the Zurich Zoo

In the new Masoala exhibit of the Zurich Zoo four self‐operated food boxes were installed to encourage arboreal behavior and higher activity levels, and to increase the attractiveness to visitors of a group of three white‐fronted lemurs (Eulemur fulvus albifrons) and one Alaotran gentle lemur (Hapalemur griseus alaotrensis). Data obtained by direct observations with and without food boxes present were compared. In addition, visitors were surveyed to investigate attractiveness of the lemurs. Overall activity and locomotor behavior increased due to food box presentation. Furthermore, the visitor survey documented that the lemurs were spotted more often in trees when the food boxes were present. Because behavior patterns of the subjects approached natural levels with food boxes, the presentation of self‐operated food boxes seems a valuable tool to improve the captive environment of lemurs. Zoo Biol 0:1–10, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.