The evolution of primate communities and societies in Madagascar

During their 120 to 165 million years of isolation, the flora and fauna of Madagascar evolved, to a large extent, independently of the African mainland.¹ In contrast to other oceanic islands, Madagascar is large enough to house the major components of tropical ecosystems, allowing tests of evolutionary hypotheses on the level of complete communities. Taking lemurs, the primates of Madagascar, as an example, evolutionary hypotheses correctly predict the organization of their community structure with respect to ecological correlates. Lemur social systems and their morphological correlates, on the other hand, deviate in some respects from those of other primates. Apparently, lemur social systems are influenced by several selection pressures that are weak or rare in other primates. These include variable activity patterns and avoidance of infanticide. The interspecific variation in lemur social systems therefore offers a unique opportunity for a comprehensive study of the determinants of primate social systems.     

Vigilance behavior during the birth and lactation season in naturally occurring ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) at the Beza-Mahafaly Reserve,Madagascar

I examined the vigilance behavior of adult males and females in two groups of ring-tailed lemurs(Lemur catta)during the birth and lactation season at the Beza-Mahafaly Reserve, southwestern Madagascar. I found no sex difference with respect to the rates of overall vigilance, rates of vigilance toward a potential predator or unfamiliar sound, or rates of vigilance toward conspecifics from other social groups, nor were there sex differences in the percentage of time spent vigilant in any of the above categories. Higher-ranking females were vigilant significantly more often toward predators or potential predators than lower-ranking females were. I detected no relationship between vigilance behavior and dominance rank among adult males. The alpha female in each group exhibited significantly more vigilance behavior than all other members of her group. It was predicted that males should exhibit more vigilance behavior than females do, particularly during the birth and lactation season, when predator pressure is high, if they are benefiting females in this respect. I discuss the results in the context of this prediction and in terms of how ring-tailed lemur males benefit females, and why they may be tolerated in social groups.     

The indris of Anjanaharibe-Sud,northeastern Madagascar

During a short field trip to the Special Reserve of Anjanaharibe-Sud in northeastern Madagascar, data concerning pelage coloration, behavior (especially vocalization), and ecology of indris were collected. Anjanaharibe-Sud is the northernmost locality of indri distribution. In comparison to the better-known indris from the southern part of their distribution, the indris in this region show different pelage coloration. Several types of loud vocalizations are analyzed, based on a small sample of tape recordings. Their song structure is more complicated than previously reported, containing distinct sequences of duetting. Data on behavior and ecology were collected by interviewing guides and local inhabitants. Some information contrasts with reports on the more southern indri populations. The conservation status of indris in Anjanaharibe-Sud and the future of the reserve are outlined.     

Seasonal variation in positional behavior of malagasy lemurs

I describe the positional behavior of four species of Malagasy lemur (Propithecus diadema, Eulemur fulvus rufus, Eulemur rubriventer,and Varecia variegata)at two times of year at Ranomafana National Park,Madagascar. There were significant seasonal differences in locomotor behavior in all species except P. diademaAmong the lemurids, leaping was more frequent and quadrupedism less frequent in the dry season. Only E. rubriventerexhibited seasonal differences in posture, and there were few seasonal differences in support use. The observed differences in positional behavior were not the result of differences in activity budget or in microhabitat use attributable to seasonal variation in resource use.     

The Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group as an example of how a consortium is enabling diverse zoological and botanical gardens to contribute to biodiversity conservation in Madagascar

Using the example of Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group (MFG), we look at the factors which contribute to the successful maintenance of an international consortium dedicated to the conservation of Malagasy biodiversity. We discuss the philosophy, mission and set-up of the MFG and how, over its 25-year history, it has enabled the productive collaboration of its diverse international members to achieve the common goal of helping to protect Madagascar's unique biodiversity. We explore the benefits of pooling resources to fund a stable base of personnel and infrastructure to maximise the conservation impact of contributions from organisations that might not otherwise be able to fund viable independent programmes and consider the benefits that accrue to partners in the consortium. We highlight specific examples of plant conservation projects set up as a result of the productive working relationship between MFG and Missouri Botanical Garden to reinforce the argument that like-minded organisations working in successful partnership can far exceed the conservation capacity of individual institutions.     

New species and new records of the subgenus Amiota s. str. Loew (Diptera: Drosophilidae) from North America,East Asia and Oceania

Fifteen known and five new species of the subgenus Amiota (s. str.) from North America, East Asia and Oceania were surveyed and described: A. leucostoma Loew, A. minor (Malloch), A. subtusradiata quadrata Takada & Toda and A. communis Chen & Steyskal, n. sp. from North America; A. aquilotaurinternatta Takada et a/., A. delta Takada et al., A. dentata Okada, A. elongata Okada, A. flagellata Okada, A. kamui Chen & Toda, A. palpitera Okada, A. spinata Chen & Toda, A. subturcata Okada, A. angulisternita Chen & Liu, n. sp. and A. kitamura Chen & Liu, n. sp. from Liaoning and Taiwan, China; biturcata Chen, n. sp. and A. vulnerabla Chen & Zhang, n. sp. each from Hokkaido and Kyushu, Japan, A. sinuata Okada, A. kimurai Chen & Toda and A. nagatai Okada from Papua New Guinea.