Seasonality in Reproduction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lepilemur edwardsi</Emphasis>

Sportive lemurs are threatened species in the IUCN Red Data Book. However, quantitative information on their reproduction, urgently required for conservation, has been lacking. We collected first data on reproductive activity of Milne-Edwards’ sportive lemurs in a population inhabiting the dry deciduous forest of the Ankarafantsika National Park in northwestern Madagascar during 1998, 2001, and 2003. The species showed a seasonal reproduction. The main mating season extended from May to June, as indicated by the presence of males with high testes volumes and estrus females. In the mating and early postmating season and in the postparturition season, sexes did not differ in body mass. Females had a significantly higher body mass than males in August and November, indicating pregnancy, which together with the presence of small infants in October and November implies that gravidity in females lasted for about 4–5 mo. All litters consisted of singletons. Individuals with body mass at the lower limit of the population either did not develop measurable testes volumes (males) or were not in estrus (females). They were probably juveniles from the previous birth season that achieved sexual maturity not before their second year after birth. The first data on reproduction suggest a low reproduction rate for Lepilemur edwardsi and a request for a higher conservation status than previously attributed and the need for further management strategies.