Eulemur macaco (Linnaeus, 1766)

Scientific name:

Eulemur macaco

Scientist name:

(Linnaeus, 1766)

Malagasy:

Ankomba, Akomba Komba, Ankomba Joby

English:

Black Lemur

German:

Mohrenmaki

Other english:

None

French:

Lémur Macaco

Family:

LEMURIDAE Gray, 1821

Taxa:

Eulemur

Species

Identification

Eulemur macaco is a medium-sized lemur with a head-body length of 39–45 cm, a tail length of 51–65 cm, a total length of 90–110 cm, and a weight of 1.8–1.9 kg (Terranova and Coffman, 1997; C. Schwitzer, pers. obs.). This species is sexually dichromatic. In males, the dorsal coat varies from dark chocolate-brown to black. The ventral coat is similarly colored. The ears have prominent tufts of long black hair. In females, the dorsal coat varies from golden-brown to chestnut-brown, lighter on the flanks but darker on the tail. The ventral coat is typically creamy white on the abdomen grading to cinnamon on the chin, and this coloration may continue to just below the eyes and ear tufts. The face is gray to black, the crown a darker charcoal-gray, and the ears are tufted with long white hairs. The eyes of both sexes are yellow-orange to deep orange. The black lemur hybridizes with E. flavifrons throughout a large part of the Manongarivo Special Reserve between Maromandia and Ambanja (Meyers et al., 1989; Rabarivola et al., 1991; Goodman and Schütz, 2000). Populations in the Sahamalaza-Iles Radama National Park, just north of the Andranomalaza River, differ in fur coloration and the prominence of ear tufts compared to populations in the northern part of the range (Schwitzer and Lork, 2004). Eulemur macaco (and hybrids) is sympatric with E. fulvus on the Galoka, Manongarivo, and Tsaratanana Massifs, and in the Ifasy and Ramena river valleys, and with E. rubriventer on the Tsaratanana Massif (Tattersall, 1976b, 1982; Andrews, 1989; Birkinshaw et al., 2000; Goodman and Schütz, 2000). The black lemur can be distinguished from both of these congeners by its distinctive sexually dichromatic pelage and by the conspicuous ear tufts of both males and females.

Natural history

The black lemur inhabits tropical moist lowland and montane forests from sea level to 1,600 m in the Sambirano region. It is quite adaptable and has been reported from primary forest, secondary forest, forest-agriculture mosaics, and timber plantations (Groves and Eaglen, 1988; Andrews, 1989). It is considered cathemeral, being active day and night throughout the year (Andrews and Birkinshaw, 1998; Colquhoun, 1998a). Group size ranges from 2 to 15 animals, the median range being 7–10 (Petter, 1962a, 1962b; Colquhoun, 1993). During the birth season, intergroup agonistic interactions are most directly related to food access compared with the mating season (Bayart and Simmen, 2005). Females give birth to a single young, usually between September and November (Petter and Petter, 1971). Fruits make up the bulk of its diet throughout the year, except for perhaps a month or so when leaves, seedpods, and nectar take on added significance and are also supplemented by fungi and invertebrates (Petter, 1962a, 1962b; Petter et al., 1977; Andrews and Birkinshaw, 1998; Simmen et al., 2007). Studies in Lokobe Strict Nature Reserve on Nosy Be and in the forests of the Ambato Massif suggest that the black lemur is a significant pollinator of the widespread traveler’s palm (Ravenala madagascariensis) and the legume (Parkia madagascariensis); as it feeds on nectar (Birkinshaw and Colquhoun, 1998). At Lokobe, it also appears to be the sole seed disperser for many tree species (Birkinshaw, 1999a). In Anpasilkely Forest, black lemurs obtain 150–190 kcal from the daytime diet during the birth season, and some introduced plant species were preferred (Simmen et al., 2007).

Geographic range

Northwestern Madagascar. The Mahavavy River is the northern limit of the range of E. macaco, and the Andranomalaza River forms part of the southern boundary. The eastern limit is poorly defined, but it likely occurs on the Tsaratanana Massif. In the southern part of its range, it intergrades with E. flavifrons in and around the Manongarivo Special Reserve (Meyers et al., 1989). It is found in the forests of the Ampasindava Peninsula, on the islands of Nosy Be and Nosy Komba, in the coastal forests northeast of Ambanja (including the peninsula leading to Nosy Faly), and it has been introduced to the small island of Nosy Tanikely, a local tourist attraction and dive-site (Koenders et al., 1985a; Mittermeier et al., 1994; Colquhoun, 1998b).

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List assessment of 2008 classified E. macaco as Vulnerable (VU). The principal threats are habitat loss due to slash-and-burn agriculture, and to hunting (both for food and as a pest). Hunting with traps seems to kill females preferentially, as they tend to lead group travel. There is also a small, but persistent, trade in black lemurs as pets (I. Colquhoun, pers. comm.). This species occurs in one national park (Sahamalaza- Iles Radama), two strict nature reserve (Lokobe and Tsaratanana) and in the Manongarivo Special Reserve (Nicoll and Langrand, 1989; Schwitzer and Lork, 2004; Schwitzer, 2006). In Manongarivo it is reported to be the most common lemur, diurnal or nocturnal (Raxworthy and Rakotondraparany, 1988). The species is also protected on the island of Nosy Komba, where the local people consider it sacred and where it serves as a major tourist attraction. As of 2009 there were an estimated 160 individuals in captivity worldwide (ISIS, 2009).

Where to see it

The best places to see the black lemur are on the islands of Nosy Be and Nosy Komba. On Nosy Komba, a largely degraded island, several groups of black lemurs come to a feeding site where tourists can offer them bananas sold by local villagers. The animals are habituated and will even sit on the visitor providing he or she remains calm. To see animals in more natural habitat, one can visit the Lokobe Strict Nature Reserve on Nosy Be, near the capital city of Hellville. Several enterprising villagers run tours to the edge of the reserve. They include an outrigger canoe ride, a walk in the forest (where the newly described Nosy Be sportive lemur, Lepilemur tymerlachsonorum, can readily be seen as well, even in the day), and a picnic. You can also overnight in two hotels on the Ampasipohy Beach, right at the edge of the reserve. Both of the sites described above are now on the regular tourist circuit and are a must for first-time visitors to Madagascar. A small population of introduced black lemurs on Nosy Tanikely near Nosy Komba is also easily observed.

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