Avahi laniger (Gmelin, 1788)

Scientific name:

Avahi laniger

Scientist name:

(Gmelin, 1788)

Malagasy:

Fotsifé, Ampongy, Avahy, Fotsifaka

English:

Eastern Woolly Lemur

German:

Östlicher Wollmaki

Other english:

Eastern Avahi, Gmelin’s Woolly Lemur

French:

Avahi laineaux oriental

Family:

INDRIIDAE Burnett, 1828

Taxa:

Avahi

Species

Identification

Avahi laniger has a head-body length of 27.7–32.2 cm, a tail length of 30.4–36.6 cm, a total length of 58.1–68.8 cm, and a weight of 1.0–1.4 kg (Glander et al., 1992; Zaramody et al., 2006; Andriantompohavana et al., 2007; Lei et al., 2008). This species is slightly larger and darker than Avahi occidentalis. It has dense short fur, tightly curled on the back. The dorsal coat is gray-brown to reddish, becoming paler towards the tail, which is a rusty- red. The chest and abdomen are gray. The face is brownish, with a lighter band or distinct patches above the eyes and lighter fur on the cheeks and throat. The ears are small and largely hidden by the thick fur.

The eastern woolly lemur is most likely to be confused with eastern rain forest species of Lepilemur, which also adopt a clinging posture when at rest, and, to a lesser extent, Cheirogaleus. Avahi can be distinguished from Lepilemur by its concealed ears and generally woollier appearance, its distinctive white thigh stripe, and by the fact that it is often seen huddled closely together with other group members, a behavior rarely observed in Lepilemur. Cheirogaleus is considerably smaller, does not employ the vertical clinging posture, is not a leaper (although it will occasionally jump from branch to branch), and has contrasting white underparts.

Natural history

Avahi laniger occurs in tropical moist lowland and
montane forests, as well as secondary forest formations.
Members of this genus typically eat flowers and fruits to a
small extent, but the diet consists primarily of leaves, which
provide a low level of nutrition for a primate of such small
size (Ganzhorn et al., 1985; Harcourt, 1991). Some biologists believe that this explains their relatively low level of activity, even during waking hours at night. During the day, woolly lemurs typically sleep in clumps of dense foliage, sometimes fairly close to the ground, and usually huddled together (Albignac, 1981b).

Geographic range

Prior to the recent taxonomic splitting of this species, A. laniger was thought to range almost the entire length of Madagascar’s eastern rain forests, from the Tolagnaro (= Fort-Dauphin) region in the extreme south to as far as the Ankarana Massif in the extreme north (Petter et al., 1977; Tattersall, 1982; Fowler et al., 1989; Hawkins et al., 1990). With the description of a number of new species within this large area, it is now thought to range from the Bemarivo River in the north to the Nesivolo/Mangoro in the south (E. E. Louis Jr., pers. obs).

Groups of up to five have been reported, and home ranges of 1–2 ha are aggressively defended (Albignac, 1981b; Razanahoera-Rakotomalala, 1981; Ganzhorn et al., 1985). Longitudinal and genetic data are needed to better understand their social behavior. Research at the Analamazaotra Special Reserve provides estimates of densities reaching 72–100 individuals/km2, and suggests a social organization based on monogamous pairs and their offspring (Ganzhorn, 1988).

Single births take place in August and September (Ganzhorn et al., 1985). Infants initially cling to the mother’s abdomen, but are eventually carried on her back (Ganzhorn 1988; Harcourt, 1988, 1991).

Conservation status

The 2008 IUCN Red List assessment (2008) classified A. laniger as Least Concern (LC). However, we believe that this assessment needs reconsideration, especially given some of the recent hunting data that has emerged. It suffers mainly from habitat destruction due to logging and slash-and-burn agriculture, it is sometimes captured opportunistically at its daytime sleeping sites or in traps baited with fruit, and in some places it is pursued by hunters with slingshots (Mananara-Nord) or spears (Makira). Avahi laniger is reported from four national parks (Mananara-Nord, Mantadia, Marojejy and Zahamena), two strict nature reserves (Betampona and Zahamena) and five special reserves (Ambatovaky, Ambohitantely, Analamazaotra, Anjanaharibe-Sud, and Mangerivola) (Nicoll and Langrand, 1989; Sterling and Ramaroson, 1996; Schmid and Smolker, 1998; Britt et al., 1999; CBSG, 2002; Andriantompohavana et al., 2007; Lei et al., 2008; J. U. Ganzhorn, pers. comm.; P. C. Wright, pers. comm.). It is unclear which woolly lemur is present in the Ankarana Special Reserve. For now, we tentatively assign the Ankarana population to Avahi occidentalis.

As of 2010, this species was not being kept in captivity (I. J. Porton, pers. comm.).

Where to see it

Although this species can be found in all of the protected areas listed above, perhaps the best place to see it on the tourist circuit is in Analamazaotra Special Reserve at Andasibe (= Périnet). A night walk along the road between the village of Andasibe and the entrance to the Analamazaotra Special Reserve will often produce several sightings, as well as views of other nocturnal lemurs. As with most other Avahi this nocturnal species can readily be observed during the day as well, especially with the assistance of knowledgeable local guides. Its sleeping sites are often just a few meters above the ground, and the animals usually remain there if not disturbed.

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