Gathering Local Knowledge in Madagascar Results in a Major Increase in the Known Range and Number of Sites for Critically Endangered Greater Bamboo Lemurs (Prolemur simus)

Greater bamboo lemurs (Prolemur simus) are endemic to Madagascar and are the only recognized species within their genus. The IUCN lists the species as critically endangered, with very few confirmed distribution records and <200 individuals known in the wild. With the aim of contributing to its conservation, we attempted to find previously unknown sites containing the species. Working closely with local communities, and basing our methodology on the gathering of local knowledge, we surveyed 44 sites in and around the Ankeniheny-Zahamena Corridor. We found evidence of the presence of Prolemur simus at 18 sites. We made direct sightings at 6 sites, of a total of 65 confirmed individuals, and identified their characteristic feeding remains at the other sites. Twelve of the sites are located in midaltitude rain forest within the corridor, and 6 lie in isolated and degraded lowland areas outside the corridor. These discoveries more than double the number of sites where the species is known to occur, and extend its known range 85 km further north. We identified numerous threats to the newly discovered sites, including hunting pressure, habitat destruction, habitat disturbance, and habitat fragmentation. Demographic factors related to small population sizes and population isolation may also impact the viability of the populations. Our results illustrate the benefits of systematic gathering of local knowledge when searching for rare or secretive primates.     

New distributional records and conservation implications for the critically endangered greater bamboo lemur Prolemur simus

To improve our knowledge of the distribution of the critically endangered greater bamboo lemur Prolemur simus, we surveyed 6 sites in eastern Madagascar. We found its characteristic feeding signs at 5 sites and made a direct sighting at one of these. One site represents a northern extension of 45 km of the known extant range of the species. Two sites are located in a forest corridor approximately halfway between the previously known southern and northern populations, therefore suggesting a broadly continuous distribution of the species within its range rather than the previously suspected distribution of two distinct populations separated by a distance of over 200 km. Our results illustrate the benefit of species-focussed surveys in determining the true distribution of endangered species, a realistic measure which is necessary in order to assess their current status and to prioritise long-term conservation interventions.     

Habitat Preferences of the Critically Endangered Greater Bamboo Lemur (Prolemur simus) and Densities of One of Its Primary Food Sources, Madagascar Giant Bamboo (Cathariostachys madagascariensis), in Sites with Different Degrees of Anthropogenic and Natural Disturbance

Understanding the habitat preferences of a species is critical to the management and conservation of its population. The Critically Endangered greater bamboo lemur, Prolemur simus, is patchily distributed across its geographic range, using a very limited fraction of its total area of occurrence. The ecological basis for this patchy distribution remains largely unexplained. We analyzed the local habitat factors affecting the habitat use of Prolemur simus and densities of one of its primary food sources Madagascar giant bamboo, Cathariostachys madagascariensis. We sampled vegetation and site characteristics along belt transects in mid-altitude rain forest areas of the Ankeniheny–Zahamena rain forest corridor in eastern Madagascar, with (N?=?10) and without (N?=?16) evidence of habitat use by Prolemur simus. In our study site the preferred habitat type of Prolemur simus appears to be primary forest stands with moderate to low levels of human disturbance, greater natural disturbance, high densities of large diameter bamboo, and high structural diversity in tree heights. Cathariostachys madagascariensis appears to exploit canopy gaps created by natural disturbances, and similarly often exploits areas of anthropogenic disturbance. We found the highest densities of bamboo to occur in areas of moderate anthropogenic disturbance, whereas larger diameter culms were associated with lower levels of disturbance and smaller culms with areas of high anthropogenic disturbance. Human use of the forest and protection of the habitat of Prolemur simus are not necessarily incompatible, but our data indicate that the severity and frequency of use should probably be relatively low. Our results suggest that in our study site management strategies that minimize human disturbances, promote structural diversity in tree heights, and maintain relatively high densities of large-culmed bamboo may benefit populations of Prolemur simus.