Black-and-white ruffed lemur
Encyclopedia
The black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) is the more endangered of the two species of ruffed lemur
s, both of which are endemic to the island of Madagascar
. Despite having a larger range than the red ruffed lemur
, it has a much smaller population that is spread out, living in lower population densities
and reproductively isolated
. It also has less coverage and protection in large national parks than the red ruffed lemur. Three subspecies of black-and-white ruffed lemur have been recognized since the red ruffed lemur was elevated to species status in 2001.
Together with the red ruffed lemur, they are the largest extant members of the family Lemuridae
, ranging in length from 100 to 120 cm (3.3 to 3.9 ft) and weighing between 3.1 and 4.1 kg (6.8 and 9 lb). They are arboreal, spending most of their time in the high canopy
of the seasonal rainforests on the eastern side of the island. They are also diurnal, active exclusively in daylight hours. Quadruped
al locomotion is preferred in the trees and on the ground, and suspensory behavior
is seen during feeding. As the most frugivorous
of lemurs, the diet consists mainly of fruit, although nectar and flowers are also favored, followed by leaves and some seeds.
The black-and-white ruffed lemur has a complex social structure and is known for its loud, raucous calls. It is unusual in that it exhibits several reproductive traits typically found in small, nocturnal lemurs, such as short a gestation
period, large litter
s and rapid maturation. Along with the red ruffed lemur, they are the only primates to build nests. In captivity, they can live up to 36 years.
's. Males and females look the same.
(Accipiter henstii), fossa
(Cryptoprocta ferox), ring-tailed mongoose
(Galidia elegans) and brown-tailed mongoose
(Salanoia concolor). Nesting behavior poses the greatest risks for predation, especially mammal
ian predators.
Ruffed lemur
The ruffed lemurs of the genus Varecia are strepsirrhine primates and the largest extant lemurs within the family Lemuridae. Like all living lemurs, they are found only on the island of Madagascar...
s, both of which are endemic to the island of Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
. Despite having a larger range than the red ruffed lemur
Red Ruffed Lemur
The red ruffed lemur is one of two species in the genus Varecia, the ruffed lemurs; the other is the black-and-white ruffed lemur . Like all lemurs, it is native to Madagascar and occurs only in the rainforests of Masoala, in the northeast of the island...
, it has a much smaller population that is spread out, living in lower population densities
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
and reproductively isolated
Reproductive isolation
The mechanisms of reproductive isolation or hybridization barriers are a collection of mechanisms, behaviors and physiological processes that prevent the members of two different species that cross or mate from producing offspring, or which ensure that any offspring that may be produced is not...
. It also has less coverage and protection in large national parks than the red ruffed lemur. Three subspecies of black-and-white ruffed lemur have been recognized since the red ruffed lemur was elevated to species status in 2001.
Together with the red ruffed lemur, they are the largest extant members of the family Lemuridae
Lemuridae
Lemuridae is a family of prosimian primates native to Madagascar, and one of five families commonly known as lemurs. These animals were thought to be the evolutionary predecessors of monkeys and apes, but this is no longer considered correct...
, ranging in length from 100 to 120 cm (3.3 to 3.9 ft) and weighing between 3.1 and 4.1 kg (6.8 and 9 lb). They are arboreal, spending most of their time in the high canopy
Canopy (forest)
In biology, the canopy is the aboveground portion of a plant community or crop, formed by plant crowns.For forests, canopy also refers to the upper layer or habitat zone, formed by mature tree crowns and including other biological organisms .Sometimes the term canopy is used to refer to the extent...
of the seasonal rainforests on the eastern side of the island. They are also diurnal, active exclusively in daylight hours. Quadruped
Quadruped
Quadrupedalism is a form of land animal locomotion using four limbs or legs. An animal or machine that usually moves in a quadrupedal manner is known as a quadruped, meaning "four feet"...
al locomotion is preferred in the trees and on the ground, and suspensory behavior
Suspensory behavior
Suspensory Behavior, exhibited by primates, is a form of arboreal locomotion or a feeding behavior which involves hanging or suspension of the body below or among the branches, rather than moving or sitting on top of the branches...
is seen during feeding. As the most frugivorous
Frugivore
A frugivore is a fruit eater. It can be any type of herbivore or omnivore where fruit is a preferred food type. Because approximately 20% of all mammalian herbivores also eat fruit, frugivory is considered to be common among mammals. Since frugivores eat a lot of fruit they are highly dependent...
of lemurs, the diet consists mainly of fruit, although nectar and flowers are also favored, followed by leaves and some seeds.
The black-and-white ruffed lemur has a complex social structure and is known for its loud, raucous calls. It is unusual in that it exhibits several reproductive traits typically found in small, nocturnal lemurs, such as short a gestation
Gestation
Gestation is the carrying of an embryo or fetus inside a female viviparous animal. Mammals during pregnancy can have one or more gestations at the same time ....
period, large litter
Litter (animal)
A litter is the offspring at one birth of animals from the same mother and usually from one set of parents. The word is most often used for the offspring of mammals, but can be used for any animal that gives birth to multiple young. In comparison, a group of eggs and the offspring that hatch from...
s and rapid maturation. Along with the red ruffed lemur, they are the only primates to build nests. In captivity, they can live up to 36 years.
Taxonomic classification
The black-and-white ruffed lemur is one of two species within the genus Varecia, and has three subspecies. Of the three subspecies, the white-belted black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata subcincta) is found furthest to the north, the southern black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata editorum) is found furthest to the south, and the black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata variegata) has a geographic range between the other two subspecies.- Family LemuridaeLemuridaeLemuridae is a family of prosimian primates native to Madagascar, and one of five families commonly known as lemurs. These animals were thought to be the evolutionary predecessors of monkeys and apes, but this is no longer considered correct...
- Subfamily Lemurinae
- Genus LemurRing-tailed LemurThe ring-tailed lemur is a large strepsirrhine primate and the most recognized lemur due to its long, black and white ringed tail. It belongs to Lemuridae, one of five lemur families. It is the only member of the Lemur genus. Like all lemurs it is endemic to the island of Madagascar...
: the ring-tailed lemur - Genus Eulemur: brown lemurs
- Genus Varecia: ruffed lemurs
- Black-and-white ruffed lemur, Varecia variegata
- Variegated black-and-white ruffed lemur (or pied black-and-white ruffed lemur), Varecia variegata variegata
- Southern black-and-white ruffed lemur (or Hill's black-and-white ruffed lemur), Varecia variegata editorum
- Northern black-and-white ruffed lemur (or white-belted black-and-white ruffed lemur), Varecia variegata subcincta
- Red ruffed lemurRed Ruffed LemurThe red ruffed lemur is one of two species in the genus Varecia, the ruffed lemurs; the other is the black-and-white ruffed lemur . Like all lemurs, it is native to Madagascar and occurs only in the rainforests of Masoala, in the northeast of the island...
, Varecia rubra
- Black-and-white ruffed lemur, Varecia variegata
- Genus Lemur
- Subfamily Hapalemurinae: bamboo lemurs
- Subfamily Lemurinae
Anatomy and physiology
The black-and-white ruffed lemur is black with white areas on its limbs head and back. Its neck has a mane and the face has a muzzle like a dogDog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
's. Males and females look the same.
Threats in the wild
The black-and-white ruffed lemur is preyed upon by the Henst's goshawkHenst's Goshawk
Henst's Goshawk is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family.It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, and plantations.It is threatened by...
(Accipiter henstii), fossa
Fossa (animal)
The fossa is a cat-like, carnivorous mammal that is endemic to Madagascar. It is a member of the Eupleridae, a family of carnivorans closely related to the mongoose family . Its classification has been controversial because its physical traits resemble those of cats, yet other traits suggest a...
(Cryptoprocta ferox), ring-tailed mongoose
Ring-tailed mongoose
The Ring-tailed mongoose is a euplerid that lives on the island of Madagascar. There is actually much disagreement about the placement of Madagascar's carnivores including the Ring-tailed mongoose, within the phylogenetic tree. Recent molecular work by Anne Yoder et al...
(Galidia elegans) and brown-tailed mongoose
Brown-tailed Mongoose
The brown-tailed mongoose, Malagasy brown-tailed mongoose, or salano is a species of mammal in the Eupleridae family. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests...
(Salanoia concolor). Nesting behavior poses the greatest risks for predation, especially mammal
Mammal
Mammals are members of a class of air-breathing vertebrate animals characterised by the possession of endothermy, hair, three middle ear bones, and mammary glands functional in mothers with young...
ian predators.
External links
- ARKive - images and movies of the ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata)
- Parco Zoo Punta Verde The black and white ruffed lemur - Varecia variegata
- black-and-white ruffed lemur at Animal Diversity Web