Propithecus edwardsi A. Grandidier, 1871

Scientific name:

Propithecus edwardsi

Scientist name:

A. Grandidier, 1871

Malagasy:

Simpona, Simpony, Sadabe (Tsinjoarivo)

English:

Milne-Edwards’ Sifaka

German:

Milne-Edwards’ Diademsifaka

Other english:

Milne-Edwards’ Simpona

French:

Propithèque de Milne-Edwards

Family:

INDRIIDAE Burnett, 1828

Taxa:

Propithecus

Species

Identification

Propithecus edwardsi is a large dark sifaka. It has a head-body length of 42–52 cm, a tail length of 41–48 cm, a total length of 83–100 cm, and a weight of 5.0–6.5 kg (Glander et al., 1992; Lehman et al., 2005a). Its dorsal coat is dense and dark, varying from chocolate- brown to almost black on the head, upper body, limbs, and tail. Bilateral whitish patches of varying extent grade into the darker surrounding fur on the back and flanks, sometimes meeting along the spine. The ventral coat is equally dark, sometimes paler around the area of the chest, but less dense than the dorsal coat. The face is bare and the skin is dark gray to black, as are the ears that are barely discernible above the dark fur of the head. The eyes are orange-red. This species is very distinctive and cannot be confused with any other sympatric species.

In the past, some authors recognized another closely-related sifaka subspecies from the forests of Nandihizana, an animal described as Propithecus diadema holomelas Günther, 1875. It was all black in color except for a dark brown patch at the base of the tail. Tattersall (1986) regarded P. d. holomelas as nothing more than a color variant of P. edwardsi (formerly P. d. edwardsi). On the other hand, Groves and Helgen (2007) found that animals fitting the holomelas description were generally smaller in size, and preferred to keep the question of its validity open. Unfortunately, sifakas are now gone from this region and no similarly-colored animals have been found elsewhere, making it difficult to determine whether or not this animal is (or was) a distinct taxon.

Natural history

Field studies of P. edwardsi have been carried out at Ranomafana National Park (Wright et al., 1987, 1997; Wright, 1995, 1998; Hemingway, 1995, 1996). There it is found in primary and secondary forests at middle to high elevations (600–1,600 m). The typical group size is 3–9, and groups range over areas of 100–250 ha. Population density estimates are relatively low at 8 individuals/km2. There are healthy populations south of Ranomafana National Park as well, but densities are also very low.

Infants typically are born in June and July. They transfer from their mother’s belly to her back after about three to four weeks, and ride comfortably there at about two months of age. Infant mortality has been calculated at almost 50% before the age of one year. Predation, especially by the fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox), is a significant cause of mortality, but some infant losses are also attributable to infanticide by unrelated male sifakas.

The diet consists mostly of leaves, fruit, seeds, and flowers, with approximately a dozen different plant species being sampled each day. However, dietary composition appears to vary significantly, not only from month to month but also from year to year (Hemingway, 1995, 1996).

Geographic range

Milne-Edwards’ sifaka is found in the rain forests of southeastern Madagascar. The Mangoro and Onive rivers are the northern limits of its present range and the Rienana River in Andringitra National Park is its southern limit. Its former range probably extended further south to the Manampatrana River (Tattersall, 1982), but populations in that region appear to have been extirpated. Andriaholinirina et al. (2004) found apparent intermediates between P. diadema and P. edwardsi at Anosiben ‘Ifody, on the left bank of the upper Mangoro River, whereas typical P. edwardsi were observed further south along this river where it turns east towards the sea.

Conservation status

The 2008 IUCN Red List assessment classified P. edwardsi as Endangered (EN). Habitat destruction for slash-and-burn agriculture and also for logging and gold mining are the main threats, and sometimes take place even in protected areas. Hunting is also a problem, with shotguns, blowguns and slingshots used as weapons to bring down these animals (P. C. Wright, pers. comm.). This species is known to occur in two national parks (Andringitra and Ranomafana) (Nicoll and Langrand, 1989; Sterling and Ramarason, 1996). It may also occur in Andohahela National Park (O’Connor et al., 1986, 1987), but this has not yet been verified (Feistner and Schmid, 1999). The Ranomafana National Park population is estimated at 4,500 and the total population for the species at 9,000 (P. C. Wright pers. comm.). Populations in unprotected forests north of Ranomafana include those near the villages of Kirisiasy, Marofotsy, Fandriana and Marolambo (Irwin et al., 2000; Lehman and Wright, 2000; E. E. Louis Jr., pers. obs.). The forests of Marofotsy should be added to Ranomafana National Park. In addition, a number of forest reserves in eastern Fianarantsoa Province still harbor populations of P. edwardsi and these could be included in a conservation corridor linking Ranomafana and Andringitra National Parks (Mittermeier et al., 1994; P. C. Wright, pers. comm.).

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

Where to see it

The best place to see this species is Ranomafana National Park, where it has been studied for several years and where a number of groups have been habituated. Finding it is relatively easy with the help of local guides, and virtually guaranteed if one devotes two days to the visit. Another excellent site is the forestry station of Ialatsara, 6 km north of Ambohimasoa on the main road from Antananarivo to Fianarantsoa. This site has a tented camp and several habituated sifaka groups that are readily observed.

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Species

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