Structural and compositional differences in gallery and spiny forests of Southern Madagascar: Implications for conservation of lemur and tree species.

Madagascar's unique dry forests, particularly gallery and spiny forests, face severe threats and are significantly understudied, leaving only a fraction of the original extent intact. Thus, there is a critical need for characterizing, conserving, and restoring this diverse forest ecosystem. Conducting extensive floristic surveys and environmental analyses, we investigated structural and compositional differences between the gallery and spiny forests, as well as within distinct gallery forest sites in Berenty Reserve in the south of the island.

Genetic population structure of endangered ring-tailed lemurs () from nine sites in southern Madagascar.

Madagascar's ring-tailed lemurs () are experiencing rapid population declines due to ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as increasing exploitation for bushmeat and the illegal pet trade. Despite being the focus of extensive and ongoing behavioral studies, there is comparatively little known about the genetic population structuring of the species. Here, we present the most comprehensive population genetic analysis of ring-tailed lemurs to date from across their likely remaining geographic range.

Tamarind tree seed dispersal by ring-tailed lemurs.

In Madagascar, the gallery forests of the south are among the most endangered. Tamarind trees (Tamarindus indica) dominate these riverine forests and are a keystone food resource for ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta). At Berenty Reserve, the presence of tamarind trees is declining, and there is little recruitment of young trees.

Evidence for social learning in wild lemurs (Lemur catta).

Interest in social learning has been fueled by claims of culture in wild animals. These remain controversial because alternative explanations to social learning, such as asocial learning or ecological differences, remain difficult to refute. Compared with laboratory-based research, the study of social learning in natural contexts is in its infancy.

Conservation education in Madagascar: three case studies in the biologically diverse island-continent.

Few Malagasy children and adults are aware of the rare and unique fauna and flora indigenous to their island-continent, including flagship lemur species. Even the Malagasy ancestral proverbs never mentioned lemurs, but these same proverbs talked about the now extinct hippopotamus. Madagascar's geography, history, and economic constraints contribute to severe biodiversity loss.

A scoring system for coat and tail condition in ringtailed lemurs, Lemur catta.

Coat condition can be influenced by a wide variety of disorders and thus provides a useful tool for noninvasive health and welfare assessments in wild and captive animals. Using Lemur catta as an exemplar, we offer a 6-step scoring system for coat and tail condition, ranging from perfectly fluffy to half or more of body and tail being hairless. The categories are described in detail and illustrated with sample pictures from a wild population in Berenty Reserve, Madagascar.