Eulemur cinereiceps (A. Grandidier and Milne- Edwards, 1890)

Scientific name:

Eulemur cinereiceps

Scientist name:

(A. Grandidier and Milne- Edwards, 1890)

Malagasy:

Varika, Varika Mena (Manombo)

English:

White-Collared Brown Lemur

German:

Weisswangen-Halsbandmaki

Other english:

Gray-headed Brown Lemur, White-collared Lemur

French:

Lémur à collier blanc; Maki à fraise

Family:

LEMURIDAE Gray, 1821

Taxa:

Eulemur

Species

Identification

Eulemur cinereiceps is a medium-sized lemur with a head-body length of 39–40 cm, a tail length of 50–55 cm, an overall length of 89–95 cm, and a body weight of around 2.0–2.5 kg (Tattersall, 1982; Bradley et al., 1997; Johnson et al., 2005). This species is sexually dichromatic. In males, the dorsal coat is gray-brown, the tail and lower limbs slightly darker, and a dark brown stripe often runs along the spine. The ventral coat is a paler gray, as are the head and face. A dark gray crown turns lighter on the neck and shoulders. Both the cheeks and beard are white or light cream and bushy. Coloration of the males of this lemur is very similar to that of E. collaris, except that male E. cinereiceps have white beards rather than the rufous beards of E. collaris. Female E. cinereiceps are virtually indistinguishable from female E. collaris, the coat being reddish-brown above with lighter underparts. Their faces are uniformly slate-gray, with a short, reddish-brown beard that matches the coat color and is not bushy like that of the male (S. E. Johnson, pers. comm.). Genetic analyses show that these two taxa are distinct species (Djletati et al., 1997; Wyner et al., 1999b), as do field studies in apparent hybrid zones of E. rufifrons and E. cinereiceps (Sterling and Ramarason, 1996; Johnson and Wyner, 2000). Lemur (recte Eulemur) cinereiceps was described by Grandidier and Milne-Edwards in 1890, and is illustrated in their monumental work on Madagascar. The specimen upon which this species was based was a female, hence the Latin name (“gray head”). Unfortunately, although the Grandidier plates are excellent, text was produced only for the Indriidae, not for the remaining lemurs. Schwarz (1931) assigned the cinereiceps name to two Paris museum specimens from two localities in southeastern Madagascar, Farafangana and Solohy. This animal remained in obscurity for a long time, until it was resurrected by Groves (1974). Unaware of this, Rumpler (1975) described the white-collared brown lemur as Lemur albocollaris, and this name, later changed to Eulemur albocollaris, has been used for this species for the better part of the last 35 years (including in the last two editions of this field guide). However, a recent survey by Johnson et al. (2008) found that the animals living in Farafangana and Solohy are in fact what has usually been referred to as Eulemur albocollaris. This evidence, added to that of Schwarz (1931), seems to confirm that Grandidier and Milne-Edwards’ cinereiceps was based on females of the species named albocollaris by Rumpler (1975). Johnson et al. (2008) have reviewed the literature, and conclude that, according to Art. 23.9.1 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, the senior synonym cannot be rejected in this instance, and that the correct name of the white-collared brown lemur is indeed Eulemur cinereiceps (C. P. Groves, pers. comm.). Consequently, we have adopted this name for the brown lemur species from this part of southeastern Madagascar, and no longer use the name E. albocollaris.

Natural history

Information regarding the natural history of this lemur comes largely from recent studies conducted in the forests of Vevembe. Johnson (2002) found it to be it is mainly frugivorous, its diet supplemented with leaves, flowers, and fungi. Flowers are an especially important food item late in the dry season. Eulemur cinereiceps is cathemeral, remaining active both day and night throughout the year. Social groups also tend to be multi-male/multi-female and relatively large. They regularly exhibit fission/ fusion. Female dominance has not been observed.

Geographic range

The white-collared brown lemur has the most restricted range of any Eulemur species. It occurs at low densities in a thin strip of tropical moist lowland forest (sea level to 500 m) in southeastern Madagascar from just above the Manampatrana River south to the Mananara River (Petter and Petter-Rousseaux, 1979; Tattersall, 1982), with a small, isolated population at Manombo and Agnalazaha on the coast south of Farafangana (Johnson and Overdorff, 1999; R. A. Mittermeier and J. Ratsimbazafy, pers. obs.). A hybrid zone with E. rufifrons appears to occur at the Iantara River (the headwaters of the Manampatra) near Andringitra National Park. Recent analyses of satellite imagery estimate that total habitat remaining within the range of this species is little more than 700 km2 (Johnson and Wyner, 2000; Irwin et al., 2005).

Conservation status

Eulemur cinereiceps was classified as Endangered (EN) in the IUCN Red List assessment of 2008. However, a review by Johnson et al. (2009) has concluded that it is Critically Endangered (CR). It has an extremely small range, and a cyclone in 1997 reduced its population by about 50% (Ratsimbazafy et al., 2002). What is more, it has apparently undergone hybridization with E. rufifrons in the northern part of its range, about 50% of its total distribution (K. Delmore, in prep.). Coastal populations have apparently undergone a significant genetic bottleneck. Effective population size (number of breeding individuals) falls well below total population estimates (R. Brenneman, E. E. Louis Jr. and S. E. Johnson, in prep.). In addition, preliminary evidence suggests heavy infestations of some parasites (e.g., pinworms) that could reduce fitness, particularly if degraded environmental conditions compromise immune response (S. Martin, in prep.). Recognizing its critical status, E. cinereiceps has been listed as one of the world’s 25 most endangered primates since 2004 (in 2004 and 2006 under the name E. albocollaris) (Johnson et al., 2009). The principal threats to its survival are habitat loss due to slash-and-burn agriculture and logging, and hunting with snares, shotguns, and slingshots. Apparently, it is easily baited and trapped during the fruiting season of the strawberry guava, Psidium cattlianum (J. Ratsimbazafy, pers. obs.). On the coast, the species numbers only in the low hundreds. It is found in the Manombo Special Reserve and also the Agnalazaha Forest, which is now being managed by the Missouri Botanical Garden. Unfortunately, this represents less than 5% of the remaining habitat within this species’ range (Irwin et al., 2005). Eulemur cinereiceps also occurs in two unprotected forests, Vevembe and Lambohazo, west of Vondrozo, both of which could be added to existing parks and reserves (Johnson and Overdorff, 1999). The population outside Andringitra National Park hybridizes with E. rufifrons (CBSG, 2002; Johnson, 2002). Expansion of the Manombo Special Reserve to include the neighboring classified forest is a high conservation priority, as is preservation of the existing, very interesting hybrid zone. A detailed search of remaining forests in the immediate Farafangana region is a high priority, since the protected areas in the broader region surrounding Farafangana all seem to harbor E. cinereiceps. Conservation International is presently initiating programs for the management of the Fandriana- Vondrozo forest corridor. This will be critical for the long-term survival of the white- collared brown lemur as the vast majority of populations are found within this corridor and few are presently protected. As of 2009, there were approximately a dozen white-collared brown lemurs reported in four zoological collections (ISIS, 2009), but only one of these (Linton Zoo, UK) is keeping a breeding group (C. Schwitzer, pers. obs.).

Where to see it

The easiest place to see the white-collared brown lemur is the Manombo Special Reserve and the associated classified forest, about 30 km south of Farafangana on RN12 (Garbutt, 2007; J. Ratsimbazafy and R. A. Mittermeier, pers. obs.). A paved road leads visitors to the edge of the reserve, where guest bungalows are now available. The species can also be seen in the Agnalahaza Forest, 40 km south of Farafangana on RN12 and at a private reserve about 7 km inland to the west on a very rough dirt road. An alternative viewing site is the strip of forest just west of the town of Vondrozo on either side of RN27. Access to this site is a bit more difficult, especially during the wet season. Trips to these sites can be arranged through an Antananarivo-based tour operator or through hotels in Farafangana.

Photographs