Locomotor Ecology of Propithecus verreauxi in Kirindy Mitea National Park

Simon Furnell; Mary L Blanchard; Robin H Crompton; William I Sellers

doi:10.1159/000377677

Locomotor Ecology of Propithecus verreauxi in Kirindy Mitea National Park

Simon Furnell, Mary L Blanchard, Robin H Crompton, William I Sellers

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The locomotor behaviour of 2 groups of Propithecus verreauxi (Verreaux’s sifaka) was studied over an 8-month period in Kirindy Mitea National Park (KMNP), Madagascar. This paper assesses the major characteristics of their locomotion, focusing on the extent that seasonal variation in climate and habitat, and local variation in habitat, is reflected in changes in locomotor behaviour. P. verreauxi is a committed leaper with a strong pref- erence for vertical and angled supports. We found clear between-group differences in support orientation and diameter suggesting local variation in habitat. During the dry season, P. verreauxi utilizes smaller-diameter supports than in the rainy season. While this difference cannot yet be ascribed to any single cause, we discuss the factors which may contribute to this result.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	223-230
Number of pages	8
Journal	Folia Primatologica
Volume	86
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1159/000377677
Publication status	Published - 2015

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ICAL: Interdisciplinary Centre for Ancient Life
Garwood, R. (PI), Wogelius, R. (PI), Sansom, R. (CoI), Buckley, M. (CoI), Chamberlain, A. (CoI), Manning, P. (CoI), Egerton, V. (CoI), Sellers, W. (CoI), Nudds, J. (CoI), Bulot, L. G. (CoI), Brocklehurst, R. (PGR student), Brassey, C. A. (CoI), Keating, J. (CoI), La Porta, A. (CoI), Brocklehurst, R. (PGR student), Callender-Crowe, L. (PGR student), Wallace, E. (PGR student), Chester, J. (PGR student), Davenport, J. (PGR student), Tuley, K. (PGR student), Lomax, D. (Researcher), Reeves, J. (PGR student), Smart, C. (PGR student), Ferro, C. (PGR student), Karoullas, C. (PGR student), Heath, J. (PGR student), Dickson, A. (PGR student), Austin Sydes, L. (PGR student), McLean, C. (PGR student), Harvey, V. (PGR student) & Jones, K. (PI)
Project: Research

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title = "Locomotor Ecology of Propithecus verreauxi in Kirindy Mitea National Park",

abstract = "The locomotor behaviour of 2 groups of Propithecus verreauxi (Verreaux{\textquoteright}s sifaka) was studied over an 8-month period in Kirindy Mitea National Park (KMNP), Madagascar. This paper assesses the major characteristics of their locomotion, focusing on the extent that seasonal variation in climate and habitat, and local variation in habitat, is reflected in changes in locomotor behaviour. P. verreauxi is a committed leaper with a strong pref- erence for vertical and angled supports. We found clear between-group differences in support orientation and diameter suggesting local variation in habitat. During the dry season, P. verreauxi utilizes smaller-diameter supports than in the rainy season. While this difference cannot yet be ascribed to any single cause, we discuss the factors which may contribute to this result.",

author = "Simon Furnell and Blanchard, {Mary L} and Crompton, {Robin H} and Sellers, {William I}",

year = "2015",

doi = "10.1159/000377677",

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pages = "223--230",

journal = "Folia Primatologica",

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AU - Sellers, William I

PY - 2015

Y1 - 2015

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AB - The locomotor behaviour of 2 groups of Propithecus verreauxi (Verreaux’s sifaka) was studied over an 8-month period in Kirindy Mitea National Park (KMNP), Madagascar. This paper assesses the major characteristics of their locomotion, focusing on the extent that seasonal variation in climate and habitat, and local variation in habitat, is reflected in changes in locomotor behaviour. P. verreauxi is a committed leaper with a strong pref- erence for vertical and angled supports. We found clear between-group differences in support orientation and diameter suggesting local variation in habitat. During the dry season, P. verreauxi utilizes smaller-diameter supports than in the rainy season. While this difference cannot yet be ascribed to any single cause, we discuss the factors which may contribute to this result.

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DO - 10.1159/000377677

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SP - 223

EP - 230

JO - Folia Primatologica

JF - Folia Primatologica

ER -

Locomotor Ecology of Propithecus verreauxi in Kirindy Mitea National Park

Abstract

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ICAL: Interdisciplinary Centre for Ancient Life

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