A Review of Predation on Lemurs: Implications for the Evolution of Social Behavior in Small, Nocturnal Primates

Edge Effects on the Density of Cheirogaleus major

“…Though we cannot explain the low density value at 900 m, the overall √ -shaped edge response curve provides indirect evidence of an ecological trap (Kokko and Sutherland, 2001). Despite a lack of published data on how primate predators respond to edge effects, there is support for predation as a major influence on lemur life histories and behavior (Goodman, 2003;Goodman et al, 1993;Hart, 2000;Wright et al, 1997). For example, Hart (2000) conducted a meta-analysis of biogeographic patterns of primate predation and documented higher predation rates in Madagascar versus the Neotropics, Africa, and Asia.…”

“…Further, Karpanty (2003) observed that diurnal lemurs are aware of and able to distinguish between different types of aerial predators. The ecological trap hypothesis could be tested by comparisons among edge, transitional, and interior habitats of 1) the frequency and abundance of Cheirogaleus major remains in avian nests and owl scat (Goodman et al, 1993;Karpanty, 2003), 2) frequencies of responses of Cheirogaleus major to alarm calls made by conspecifics (Fichtel and Kappeler, 2002;Karpanty, 2003), and 3) population dynamics Cheirogaleus major from capture-release data (Wolf and Batzli, 2002). Obviously, the second method would require data on whether or not Cheirogaleus major actually gives alarm calls after detecting potential animal predators.…”

Brown fat and nonshivering thermogenesis in the gray mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus)

“…NST may thus be interpreted as an anti-predator adaptive feature. Indeed, several predators of mouse lemurs have been reported to visit resting sites (18,30).…”

Ecological models of female social relationships in primates: similarities, disparities, and some directions for future clarity

“…Perhaps all primates share the ancestral type of dispersal by both sexes but female locational philopatry evolved in the presence of a unique selective pressure, such as a major mammalian predator that greatly increased the costs of locational dispersal. The 10 kg fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) and the 40 kg leopard (Panthera pardus) could ll that niche for most extant Malagasy prosimians (Goodman et al, 1993) and most Old World primates (Hoppe-Dominik, 1984;Isbell, 1990), respectively. There seems to be no mammalian predator in the New World as damaging to primates as leopards can be (Emmons, 1987;Isbell & Van Vuren, 1996).…”