Verreaux's sifaka  (Propithecus verreauxi)

Verreaux's sifaka is a large lemur; the species is split into 4 subspecies each of which has a distinctive appearance. All members of this species have lustrous creamy white fur but they differ significantly in other markings (6). Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi) has a dark brown crown and white tufted ears, in some males the upper chest may also have a reddish-brown tinge, and the face and muzzle of both sexes are very dark (6). Coquerel's sifaka (P. v. coquereli) sports deep maroon thighs and arms, and the colour also extends across the chest. The face is black although a patch of white fur extends down the bridge of the nose; the ears are also black (6). Decken's sifaka (P. v. deckeni) is all white although the fur may sometimes have a golden tinge; the face is black and has a more rounded shape (6). The crowned sifaka (P. v. coronatus) gains its name from its dark chocolate-brown head and throat. The upper body has a golden sheen and the black face is squarer than those of the other subspecies (6). All 4 sifakas have a typical body plan with long, powerful hindlimbs and large hands and feet, allowing them to leap from tree to tree in their arboreal habitat (4). The tail of this species is particularly long and may be used for balance. Sifakas earn their common name from their 'shifak' sounding alarm call (5).

Verreaux's sifaka is endemic to Madagascar and the 4 subspecies occur in apparently isolated and distinct ranges in the south and west of the island (2). Coquerel's sifaka has the northernmost distribution along the northwest coast; next is the crowned sifaka, the most endangered of the 4 subspecies and inhabiting the smallest range (8). Decken's sifaka occurs in a band in the west of the country and it is possible that in its northern limit this species is sympatric with the crowned sifaka (6). P. v. verreauxi has the widest distribution of any of the sifakas of Madagascar and is found in the remaining forests in the south and southwest of the island, and west to the Tsiribihina River (6).

Inhabits spiny and dry deciduous forests (2).

Verreaux's sifaka is a diurnal, social species existing in groups that are typically 5 members strong (4). These groups are mixed, and females appear to be dominant over males, who are the dispersive sex. The mating system is poorly understood, but in small groups only one female breeds each year. The season occurs in late January and early February and births are 6 months later; during the mating season males may fight between themselves for access to females (6). The single young develops rapidly, initially riding on its mothers belly and moving to her back after a month; young are fully independent at around 6 months of age (6). Groups inhabit home ranges that vary in size depending on the resources available; a core territory within this range is usually defended against neighbouring groups (6).

Sifakas spend the majority of their time in the treetops, travelling via vertical clinging and leaping from one tree to the next (2). This method of locomotion can take them as far as 10 m in one leap (2). To cross open spaces they descend to the ground and adopt what looks like a skipping 'dance' on their hind legs with forearms outstretched for balance (2). The diet varies with season but encompasses a wide range of leaves, fruit, flowers and bark (3). Group members are vigilant for predator attacks, and aerial predators such as the Madagascar harrier-hawk (Polyboroides radiatus) excite different calls than those for predators on the ground (6).

These engaging lemurs are threatened by habitat destruction throughout their range. The dry deciduous forests of the west are being cleared for timber extraction, firewood and charcoal production and resulting fragments of habitat are also at risk from deliberate fires (6). Hunting of the species is a taboo in some areas but does still occur in others and is made easier by the relatively open habitat (6). Of the 4 subspecies, the crowned sifaka is the most endangered and population estimates vary between just 100 and 1,000 individuals (1).

Verreaux's sifaka is protected from international trade by its listing on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (1). Individuals have been successfully bred in captivity (4), and there are estimated to be around 24 of these sifakas currently held in captivity in the United States and Europe, although which subspecies these represent is uncertain (8). Within Madagascar, P. v. verreauxi is known to occur in at least 7 protected areas, Coquerel's and Decken's sifakas in at least 2, but at present the crowned sifaka has not been confirmed from any of the protected areas within its range (6). More data is urgently needed on the distribution and natural ecology of the lesser-studied subspecies and protected reserves are vital to preserve the remaining, if fragmented, habitat of the species as a whole.

For more information on Verreaux's sifaka see:
Garbutt, N. (1999) Mammals of Madagascar. Pica Press, Sussex

Authenticated (2/11/02) by Nick Garbutt.