The ruffed lemurs are arboreal forest dwellers, getting around by walking or running on larger branches and leaping from tree to tree (5). They enjoy a rich diet of fruit, nectar, seeds and leaves, obtaining the nectar by using their long snouts and tongues to reach deep inside the flowers. They are active mainly in the early morning and late afternoon (6), though nocturnal behaviour has been observed. Indeed the word 'lemur' means a 'night wandering ghost' referring to their stealthy, noiseless movement through the forest by night. When alarmed by predators, however, these primates are far from quiet, emitting an elaborate system of loud barks through the forest to alert other group members (3). These lemurs are social animals, with group sizes typically varying from 2-5 individuals, but occasionally numbering up to 30; their home ranges vary in size accordingly (6). Within the group the strongest bonds form between females, whilst those between males are much weaker. Interestingly, females are dominant to males, forming the core of the group and defending the territories, a system common only to Malagasy lemurs (3). Grouping patterns also change with the seasons, with females forming larger groups during the wet season and dispersing during the dry season in search of food. Social bonds in groups are established and reinforced by grooming, but whereas most other primates groom with their fingers, prosimians such as the ruffed lemur cannot manipulate their fingers and instead have developed an usual fascinating behaviour; their 6 bottom teeth project away from the jaw to form a comb which these primates use to groom their fur and the fur of other group members (3). The ruffed lemur reproduces seasonally with mating occurring between May and July, and the offspring are born in September and October (6). Unlike other lemurs, the ruffed lemurs give birth in well-concealed nests constructed of twigs and leaves, held 10 – 20 meters above the ground. Twins are the norm and after only four months the young are independent and as mobile and active as adults. However, infant mortality is high with about 65% of offspring failing to reach 3 months of age, dying from accidental falls and related injuries (2).

The ruffed lemur is the largest of the lemur family, and is divided into two very distinctive subspecies; the black-and-white ruffed lemur (V. variegata) and the red ruffed lemur (V. rubra) (2). The two subspecies are similar in shape, size, life history and behaviour but are different in colouration and habitat. The black-and-white ruffed lemur has, as its name suggests, a black and white pelage with white tufted ears, a long tail and bright, beady yellow eyes (5). The red ruffed lemur is a striking chestnut red colour, with a much more dense and luxuriant pelage, and a black coloured face, limbs and tail. Recent genetic studies strongly suggest that these two forms merit distinction as separate species, though a decision has not been made as yet (2).

This species inhabits lowland to mid-altitude rain forests (sea level to 1,350 m) in eastern Madagascar. There are three subspecies:

The subspecies V. v. subcincta is assumed to represent the northernmost subspecies, the northern limit of its range being the Antainambalana River (east of which occurs the Red Ruffed Lemur). Its range extends southwards to the Anova River, including part of Makira, Mananara-Nord, Atialanankorendrina, and Marotandrano. This subspecies was introduced to the island of Nosy Mangabe in the Bay of Antongil back in the 1930s and still occurs there (Kuhn 1972). The distribution of this lemur is very patchy throughout its range, except for Nosy Mangabe, where it lives at a relatively high density (Morland 1991).

The nominate subspecies V. v. variegata occurs south of the Anove River, from about Ambatovaky south to about Betampona and Zahamena National Park (including Ambatovaky), although the southern limit is not yet clearly defined.

The subspecies V. v. editorum is the southernmost subspecies and is known with certainty only from Mantadia southwards to Manombo Special Reserve. According to Groves (2001), the ranges of V. v. editorum and V. v. variegata overlap, and intermediate forms exist. The form occurring in Mangerivola Special Reserve is unknown.

Ruffed lemurs, Varecia variegata, are found in the eastern rain forest of Madagascar. Two subspecies are recognized: V. v. variegata and V. v. rubra. The Antainambalana River geographically separates the two subspecies; V. v. rubra is found north of the river, and V. v. variegata is found south. The latter subspecies is also found on the island of Nosy Mangabe.

Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )

Other Geographic Terms: island endemic

The ruffed lemur, like all other lemurs, is endemic to Madagascar, a large island off the east coast of Africa. The black-and-white ruffed lemur inhabits the eastern rainforests of Madagascar, while the red ruffed lemur is restricted to the north east of the island and lives in the primary and secondary forests of the Masoala Peninsula. The Antainambalana River divides the ranges of these two subspecies (3).

Lemurs have long, soft fur and are famous for variation of color and pattern. In fact, many consider ruffed lemurs to be the most beautiful species in its family. At least five different coat patterns are found among these lemurs, including one in which an orangish-red color replaces almost all of the white coloration.

Black and white ruffed lemurs are among the largest of the true lemurs, with a head and body length of 51 to 60 cm and tail length of 56 to 65 cm (Nowak, 1987). Weights range from 3.2 to 4.5 kg. Females are larger than males (Black and White Ruffed Lemur, 1996).

The coat is long and soft, and color pattern may vary on different sides of the body (Nowak, 1987). In V. v. variegata, the coat is mostly black with large white areas on the head, back and limbs. The genus Varecia has a marking gland on the neck unlike Lemur, Eulemur, and Petterus (Nowak, 1987). In addition, other genera have only one pair of mammae, whereas Varecia has three pair.

Range mass: 3.2 to 4.5 kg.

Range length: 51 to 60 cm.

Sexual Dimorphism: female larger

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

Ruffed lemurs are tree dwellers and are the most arboreal of the true lemurs (AZA, 1994). They inhabit the wet evergreen forest on the eastern coast of Madagascar (Black and White Ruffed Lemur, 1996).

Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: rainforest

This species inhabits primary and secondary lowland and mid-altitude rainforest in Madagascar (2).

Varecia variegata is the most frugivorous of the living lemurs, but it also feeds on leaves, seeds and nectar according to the season (Primate of the Week, 1996). They have also been known to eat soil at times (Black and White Ruffed Lemur, 1996).

Plant Foods: leaves; seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit; nectar

Primary Diet: herbivore (Frugivore )

As frugivores, these lemurs are likely to play some role in seed dispersal. To the extent that they serve as prey for other animals, they may also influence local food webs.

Formal reports of predation upon ruffed lemurs are not available. However, likely predators include raptors, humans, and fossas.

All primates show complex patterns of communication. In addition to their vocalizations, these animals use body postures and facial expressions to communicate. Tactile communication, in the form of grooming, play, and aggression, is also important. Members of both sexes are known to scent mark their territory.

Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical

Other Communication Modes: scent marks

Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic

Ruffed lemurs are thought to reach an average maximum age of 19 years.

Average lifespan

Status: wild: 19 years.

Average lifespan

Sex: female

Status: captivity: 32.0 years.

Average lifespan

Status: captivity: 19.0 years.

Average lifespan

Sex: male

Status: captivity: 28.0 years.

Maximum longevity: 36 years (captivity) Observations: One wild born male was living at the Duke University Primate Center at about 36 years of age (Richard Weigl 2005).

The mating system of these lemurs is not well understood. These animals are usually found in what appear to be family groups, centered on a single mated pair. This indicates that the species is likely to be monogamous. However, because of variation in the social stucture, under which larger groups may be formed, there is a possibility that at least some populations are polygynous breeders.

Mating System: monogamous ; polygynous

Mating appears to occur in June and July. The estrous cycle of female ruffed lemurs lasts approximately 30 days with the estrous period averaging 6.25 days. Gestation is markedly shorter than in other lemurs, typically lasting between 90 and 102 days. Females are capable of having up to 6 offspring from a single pregnancy, but usually only 2 or 3 offspring are born at a time. In fact, over one-half of births are twins. Weaning occurs at approximately 135 days of age, and infants are close to adult size by the time they reach 6 months. Females are able to conceive at 20 months, but the average age of first reproduction is 3.4 years.

Breeding interval: Females are capable of producing young annually.

Breeding season: Breeding occurs in June and July.

Range number of offspring: 2 to 6.

Range gestation period: 90 to 102 days.

Average weaning age: 135 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 20 months.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); fertilization ; viviparous

Average birth mass: 87.2 g.

Average number of offspring: 2.2.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)

Sex: male: 608 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)

Sex: female: 604 days.

Mothers build nests for their newborns, usually in the fork of a tree. The female pulls out her own hair to line the nest. When it is necessary for the infant to be carried, the mother uses her mouth. This is distinctly different from most lemurs, whose infants cling to the mother's belly when young, then ride on her back as they get bigger. Infants are allowed to leave the nest at 3 weeks and are as mobile as their parents by the time they are 7 weeks old. The role of males in parental care has not been described.

Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-independence (Protecting: Female)

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species. 

 
There are 3 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank.  Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.
 

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Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 3
Species: 5
Species With Barcodes: 1

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All lemurs are considered endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and are listed as Appendix I under CITES (AZA, 1994). They are listed as endangered by IUCN. The main threats to the survival of ruffed lemurs are habitat destruction, hunting for meat and fur, and exportation (Black and White Ruffed Lemur,1996).

These lemurs breed well in captivity and have thus benefited from a long-term, organized and well-managed breeding program (Madagascar Fauna Group, 1996). There are now over 225 individuals held in more than 50 North American institutions. Individuals from these populations will be released into established natural reserves in Madagascar.

Education also plays an important role in the conservation of ruffed lemurs. The two zoos of Madagascar with ruffed lemur exhibits are developing educational programs to help the Malagasy people become more environmentally aware (AZA, 1994).

US Federal List: endangered

CITES: appendix i

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: critically endangered

Classified as Endangered (EN A1cd) on the IUCN Red List 2004 (1) and listed on Appendix I of CITES (4).

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

As with other lemur species, the ruffed lemurs are threatened by habitat loss through logging and development in Madagascar (6). While this is a problem in many areas worldwide, Madagascar is particularly sensitive as it is an island and therefore has a limited amount of land for its wildlife and expanding human population (2). The ruffed lemur species seems to be particularly susceptible due to its high dependence on large fruiting trees for food in primary forest (2). These animals are also at risk due to extensive hunting on the island for meat and for sale as pets (5).

Conservation Actions

Since 1994, international trade in ruffed lemur has been prohibited by their listing on Appendix 1 of the Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) (4). However, there is a greater threat of habitat destruction. Only about 10% of Madagascar's native vegetation now remains and so conservation efforts are being focussed on protecting the few existing patches of forests (3). The black-and-white ruffed lemur is known to occur in at least ten protected areas in Madagascar, though its numbers are sadly still declining (2). Tragically, the only protected area in which the red ruffed lemur was known to occur, the former Masoala Nature Reserve, was degazzetted in 1964 to permit timbering (9). This has had on-going devastating consequences for the ruffed lemur and other wildlife. In 1997 the Masoala National Park was re-opened, administered by ANGAP, an NGO affiliated with the Malagasy Government, with assistance from the Wildlife Conservation Society, Missouri Botanical Garden, CARE and the Peregrine Fund. This goes far toward protecting the red ruffed lemurs (11). As a result the Missouri Botanical Garden has taken action and proposed the creation of a 300,000 hectare national park on the Masoala Peninsula, with funding from USAID and other sources. There are also plans for staff training, research facilities and education programmes, with responsibility for the parks management lying with the regional forest association (9). It is hoped that this reserve will be a safe-haven for the red ruffed lemur. In North America, a captive breeding project for the ruffed lemur has been underway since the 1960s, under the Species Survival Plan (SSP) (10). The project has focused on increasing the genetic diversity of both the red and black-and-white ruffed lemur subspecies (10). Although this project has been a success, housing space for the lemurs is limited, restricting the success of the breeding program (10). Nine individuals of the black and white form were re-introduced to the Betampona Reserve in the Eastern forest between 1997 and 2001. This was a complex operation, beginning with choosing the captive ruffed which were genetically closest to the wild population of the local region. The released lemurs were closely monitored because animals which did not grow up in the wild have great difficulty in adapting. They fall prey to predators, or simply fall out of trees. Only one male survives, now integrated into a wild group, and one other pair produced triplets. Reintroduction is a long and costly process compared to protecting animals in their original habitat (12). It is hoped that ruffed lemurs will be reintroduced in Madagascar, though it is imperative that the reintroduction areas are declared safe first (2). There is now new hope for the ruffed lemur in Madagascar with captive breeding projects successfully underway, reintroduction programmes on the horizon and reserves being reviewed in Madagascar. It is however important that these become long term projects in order to allow the ruffed lemur time and space to recover (2).

Ruffed lemurs are not known to have any adverse effects on humans.

Ruffed lemurs are both trapped and shot in Madagascar for the economic benefit of humans. Ruffed lemurs are often hunted for food, and they are also sold to humans as pets. Because they are such entertaining animals, these charismatic creatures, along with other lemur species, may bring ecotourists to Madagascar.

Positive Impacts: pet trade ; food ; ecotourism