Fork-marked lemur

Gabelstreifenmaki ( Phaner sp.)

The Gabelstreifenmakis or Gabelstreifigen lemurs ( Phaner ) are a primate species from the family of lemurs within the lemurs. The genus includes five species, the animals have specialized on a diet of tree sap.

Description

With a body length 23-29 cm, a tail length from 29 to 37 centimeters and a weight of 300 to 500 grams Gabelstreifenmakis among the larger members of their family. Their fur is reddish brown at the top, colored gray-brown or gray, the throat and belly are lighter, usually yellowish. Their name from the animals of the striking face drawing, two black stripes that run from the top of the head over the eyes and meet at the snout. Another characteristic is the dark dorsal stripe, which runs along the back to the tail. Some features represent adaptations to their specialized diet: the hands and feet are relatively large, the fingernails are keeled as nails, which allows a better grip on the tree trunk. The upper and lower incisors are forward, the upper canines and premolars are extended, which makes it easier to biting of the bark. The tongue is long and narrow, the cecum is increased. To show the Gabelstreifenmakis some convergences with other, unspecified primate relatives with a similar lifestyle, such as the Kielnagelgalagos or the marmoset.

Distribution and habitat

Gabelstreifenmakis come like all lemurs available only in Madagascar, where they inhabit both the rain forests in the east and the dry forests in the West. The exact boundaries of the areas of distribution of the individual species are often unclear, as there are populations that are still associated with a particular type.

Lifestyle and diet

Only in one species, the Western Gabelstreifenmaki the lifestyle is better explored. These animals are nocturnal and sleep during the day in tree holes, usually in the upper tree layers. At night, they go looking for food, and they are quick motions move around on all fours through the branches and greater distances between trees can (up to 10 meters ) leaping tackle. They live in monogamous family groups in which, although the partners sleep together and meet again at night, but otherwise go separately in search of food. With numerous sounds to communicate the party and have as well as contact with other groups. There are territorial animals, the areas include around 4 acres.

The food of Gabelstreifenmakis consists largely of tree sap. Since these are available year round, keeping it in contrast to other lemurs not hibernate. Is supplemented by food flowers, nectar and insects. Thanks to their nectar feeding, they play an important role in plant pollination, such as baobab trees.

Reproduction

In contrast to the other lemurs comes in these primates, only one young is born, usually in February or March. The cub spends his first week of life in the parental tree cave, later it clings to the mother's abdomen. If it is grown, it is riding on their backs. With approximately three years, leaves his natal group. The life expectancy of animals in captivity is up to 12 years.

Threat

The main threat to these primates, the destruction of their habitat due to deforestation applies. The IUCN lists two of the four species as " endangered" ( vulnerable ), the other two do not currently apply risk than.

System

Gabelstreifenmakis form the sister taxon of all other lemurs, they are guided Phanerinae in a separate subfamily. There are four species that were still out until recently as subspecies of a single species:

• The Masoala Gabelstreifenmaki ( Phaner Furcifer ) lives in the rainforests of eastern Madagascar.
• The Western Gabelstreifenmaki ( Phaner pallescens ) is native to the west of the island.
• The Sambirano Gabelstreifenmaki ( Phaner Parienti ) inhabits the Sambirano region in the northwestern part.
• The Northern Gabelstreifenmaki ( Phaner electro montis ) is native to the region, Montagne d' Ambre at the northern tip of this island.

2010 Russell discovered Mitter Meier a previously undescribed fifth Article