Morphometric signals of population decline in diademed sifakas occupying degraded rainforest habitat in Madagascar

Authors

Mitchell Irwin, Northern Illinois UniversityFollow
Karen Samonds, Northern Illinois University
Jean-Luc Raharison
Randall Junge
Karine Mahefarisoa
Fidisoa Rasambainarivo
Laurie Godfrey
Kenneth Glander

Author ORCID Identifier

Name: Mitchell Irwin https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2088-0028

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Scientific Reports

Abstract

Anthropogenic habitat change can have varied impacts on primates, including both negative and positive outcomes. Even when behavioural shifts are seen, they may reflect decreased health, or simply behavioural flexibility; understanding this distinction is important for conservation efforts. This study examines habitat-related variation in adult and immature morphometrics among diademed sifakas (Propithecus diadema). We collected morphometric data from sifakas at Tsinjoarivo, Madagascar (19 years, 188 captures, 113 individuals). Captures spanned 12 groups, five within continuous forest (“CONT”), and seven in degraded fragments (“FRAG”) where sifakas have lower nutritional intakes. Few consistent differences were found between CONT and FRAG groups. However, using home range quality as a covariate rather than a CONT/FRAG dichotomy revealed a threshold: the two FRAG groups in the lowest-quality habitat showed low adult mass and condition (wasting), and low immature mass and length (stunting). Though less-disturbed fragments apparently provide viable habitat, we suggest the sifakas in the most challenging habitats cannot evolve fast enough to keep up with such rapid habitat change. We suggest other long-lived organisms will show similar morphometric “warning signs” (wasting in adults, stunting in immatures); selected morphometric variables can thus be useful at gauging vulnerability of populations in the face of anthropogenic change.

First Page

1

Last Page

14

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-45426-2

Publication Date

6-19-2019

Recommended Citation

Irwin, M.T., Samonds, K.E., Raharison, JL. et al. Morphometric signals of population decline in diademed sifakas occupying degraded rainforest habitat in Madagascar. Sci Rep 9, 8776 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-45426-2

Original Citation

Irwin, M.T., Samonds, K.E., Raharison, JL. et al. Morphometric signals of population decline in diademed sifakas occupying degraded rainforest habitat in Madagascar. Sci Rep 9, 8776 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-45426-2

Department

Department of Anthropology

Sponsorship

Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation, Primate Conservation Inc., Stony Brook University, Primate Action Fund, NSERC, National Geographic CRE, Northern Illinois University, University of Massachusetts, Duke University, IdeaWild and Eppley Foundation for Research.