
Thursday 15 February
The World's Favourite Unloved Species 2018 - the Galapagos Racer
Kingdom | Animalia |
Phylum | Chordata |
Class | Mammalia |
Order | Primates |
Family | Indriidae |
Genus | Propithecus (1) |
A little-known species of sifaka, Decken’s sifaka was formerly considered a subspecies of Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) (1). Its fur is typically creamy white, which forms a stark contrast against the black, hairless face. The neck, shoulders, back and limbs are occasionally tinged with yellow, silvery-grey or pale brown (2). In some areas, melanistic individuals have been observed; these sifakas have a dark brown to black head, and light brown to silvery-grey areas on the upper arms, shoulders and upper back, and the chest and under surface of the arms are dark brown (2).
As Decken’s sifaka is yet to be the subject of a comprehensive study in the wild (1), information on its biology is lacking. A diurnal primate, it is known to live in groups of two to ten individuals, and whilst the composition of the groups is not clear, groups with two adult females, both with young, have been observed (2).
Like all sifakas, this species has long, powerful legs used to propel itself between trees whilst keeping its body upright; this highly specialised method of locomotion is known as vertical clinging and leaping (4).
Found only in western Madagascar, Decken’s sifaka occurs in suitable patches of forest between Manambolo River in the south and Mahavavy River in the north (1) (2). The precise range of this species is hard to determine, largely due to the occurrence of the closely-related crowned sifaka (Propithecus coronatus) in the same region. In some areas, hybridisation may even take place between these two species (1) (2).
The loss of its forest habitat poses the greatest threat to Decken’s sifaka. Already fragmented forests in western Madagascar are being reduced further to produce charcoal and to create pasture for livestock (1). Unlike many other sifakas, Decken’s sifaka is fortunately not currently threatened by hunting, due to a strong taboo among local people in much of its range. However, the situation should be carefully monitored, as a breakdown of hunting taboos would likely lead to Decken’s sifaka becoming more threatened (1).
Decken’s sifaka occurs in a number of protected areas, including Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, Baie de Baly National Park, Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve and Ambohijanahary Special Reserve (1). This, alongside its listing on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) which prohibits international trade in this species (3), should hopefully go some way in preventing further declines of this striking primate.
To find out more about the conservation of Madagascar’s primates see:
This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk
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© Pete Oxford / naturepl.com
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Thursday 15 February
The World's Favourite Unloved Species 2018 - the Galapagos Racer
Thursday 01 February
Thursday 01 February