Phaner furcifer

28.

Masoala Fork-marked Lemur

Phaner furcifer

French: Phaner a fourche / German: Masoala-Gabelstreifenmaki / Spanish: Lémur de orejas ahorquilladas de Masoala

Other common names: Eastern Fork-marked Lemur, Masoala Fork-crowned Lemur

Taxonomy. Lemur furcifer de Blainville, 1839,

Madagascar, Bay of Antongil.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. NE Madagascar from Toamasina (= Tamatave) N to and including the Masoala Peninsula.

Descriptive notes. There are no specific measurements available. The Masoala Fork-marked Lemur is the largest and darkest member of the genus, with notably long dense pelage. The body is dark brown above with a creamy-buff to buffy-gray underside. The crown fork is thick, black, and distinct, although the dorsal midline stripe fails to reach the base of the tail. Cheeks and back of the nose are grayish-yellow. Hands and feet are dark. The tail is long (i.e. half again as long as the head-body length) and bushy, becoming dark toward the tip. Ears are large and bare, with rounded tips.

Habitat. Tropical moist lowland forest from sea level to 1000 m.

Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but undoubtedly gums form a major part of the diet.

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. The Masoala Fork-marked Lemur is nocturnal and arboreal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I. Classified as Least Concern on The [UCN Red List. However, at the IUCN/SSC Lemur Red-Listing Workshop held in July 2012, the Masoala Fork-marked Lemur was assessed as vulnerable due to an ongoing and predicted population decline of more than 30% over 10 years. The Masoala Fork-marked Lemuris threatened mainly by habitat loss due to slash-and-burn agriculture and illegal logging. Fortunately, it appears to be widely distributed. It is reported from two national parks (Masoala and Zahamena), two strict nature reserves (Betampona and Zahamena), Ambatovaky Special Reserve, and the forests of Makira (currently under temporary government protection). It also may occur in Mananara-Nord National Park.

Bibliography. Groves (2001), Groves & Tattersall (1991), Mittermeier et al. (2010).