With the recent descriptions of several new species of Lepilemur from eastern Madagascar, the range of L. mustelinus has become unclear. Based on the interpretation of the distributions of Louis et al. (2006), this species now occurs north of the Mangoro and Onive Rivers (with M. betsileo apparently occurring to the south) north at least to the Onibe, and possibly further. Louis et al. (2006) assigned the sportive lemurs from Mananara-Nord, south of the Antainambalana River, to L. seali. In the past these have been attributed to L. mustelinus. The Maningory is here arbitrarily assigned as the limit between L. mustelinus and L. seali, but clearly this requires further investigation.

Sportive lemurs, Lepilemur mustelinus, live in the deciduous forests of the East and West coasts of Madagascar (Macdonald, 1984; Grzimek, 1990).

Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )

Other Geographic Terms: island endemic

Sportive lemurs measure about 24 to 30 cm for head and body length, with a tail of about 22 to 29 cm. Typically, members of the genus weigh between 500 and 900 g. The tail is always shorter than the body, and the legs are always much longer than the arms. There are six recognized subspecies and fur coloration differs between populations. However, in general sportive lemurs are brown to grey on their backs and tails with a light to white underbelly. They have dense, woolly fur, and prominent ears. Their dental formula is 0/2, 1/1, 3/3, 3/3 = 32 (Macdonald, 1984).

Range mass: 500 to 900 g.

Range length: 24 to 30 cm.

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

Sportive lemurs live in the deciduous, humid, and gallery forests of Madagascar. They sleep during the day in tree hollows or occasionally in nests in the open when there is little threat from predators (Macdonald, 1984; Richard, 1987).

Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: forest

The diet of L. mustelinus is primarily leaves. However, these animals also eat fruit, flowers, and bark. Sportive lemurs may not be capable of completely digesting this folivorous diet and they have been known to eat their own feces, perhaps in order to extract more nutrients from the food on its second journey through their digestive tract. Sportive lemurs do not pick leaves or fruit from branches when feeding, but instead they bring branches to their mouths and feed directly from them (Grzimek, 1990; Richard, 1987).

Plant Foods: leaves; wood, bark, or stems; fruit; flowers

Other Foods: dung

Primary Diet: herbivore (Folivore )

As frugivores, these primates probably help to disperse seeds. To the extent that they serve as prey for other animals, they may impact local food webs.

Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds

These small nocturnal primates probably fall prey to raptors, snakes, fossas, and any other carnivorous animal large enough to subdue them. Humans are reported to hunt members of this genus for meat.

Known Predators:

• Homo sapiens

Visual displays, vocalizations, chases, and severe fighting have all been reported for this genus. Although not reported for these animals, prosimians usually scent mark their territories, and it is reasonable to suppose that L. mustelinus engages in some scent marking and chemical communication.

Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical

Other Communication Modes: scent marks

Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic

Members of the genus Lepilemur are reported to have lived as long as 12 years in captivity. Lepilemur mustelinus is probably similar.

Average lifespan

Status: captivity: 12 years.

Observations: Longevity has not been studied in detail in these animals but it has been argued that they probably live more than 12 years (Ronald Nowak 1999).

Males occupy territories by themselves which tend to overlap with the territories of two to three females with which they will mate (Macdonald, 1984; Richard, 1987).

Mating System: polygynous

Sportive lemurs reach sexual maturity at about 18 months of age. Sexual receptivity in females, estrous, is marked by a distinct swelling of the genitalia. Mating occurs from May through August. Females give birth to single young between September and November with a gestation period of about 135 days. The young are weaned around 4 months of age, but are not independent until they are about one year old. (Nowak, 1999; Macdonald, 1984; Richard, 1987).

Breeding interval: Breeding occurs annually.

Breeding season: Mating occurs from May through August.

Average number of offspring: 1.

Average gestation period: 135 days.

Average weaning age: 4 months.

Average time to independence: 1 years.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 18 months.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 18 months.

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

Average birth mass: 27 g.

Average gestation period: 135 days.

Average number of offspring: 1.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)

Sex: male: 546 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)

Sex: female: 592 days.

Not much is known about the parental behavior of these animals. Females sometimes carry their young, and sometimes "park" them on a branch while they forage. The young are weaned at about 4 months of age. Young follow their mother until they are around one year of age. The role of males in parental care has not been described.

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

Lepilemur mustelinus is considered threatened due to habitat destruction and the breakdown of anti-hunting rules (Richard, 1987).

US Federal List: endangered

CITES: appendix i

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: data deficient

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

Conservation Actions

There are no known negative effects of sportive lemurs on humans.

Sportive lemurs are sometimes hunted for their meat (Grzimek, 1990).

Positive Impacts: food