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

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 cova

SUBMITTER: Irwin MT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6584568 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature