Premium
Reproductive activity of ruffed lemurs ( Varecia variegata variegata ) in a Madagascar rain forest
Author(s) -
Morland Hilary Simons
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.1330910105
Subject(s) - lemur , rainforest , biology , geography , ecology , forestry , zoology , primate
Mating activity was observed during four breeding seasons in two groups of black and white ruffed lemurs ( Varecia variegata variegata ) living in lowland rain forest on Nosy Mangabe island, Madagascar. The onset of the May‐July breeding season was signalled by behavioral changes in adult males. Males made forays outside their usual home ranges, were more aggressive to other males, and performed appetitive and other sex‐specific behaviors more frequently. Females showed receptive and proceptive behaviors during a 1‐2 day behavioral estrus. Ruffed lemurs mated monogamously, polyandrously, and polygynously. These observations do not support previous assertions that they live only in monogamous families. Limited evidence suggests females exercised mate choice and may have preferred familiar males. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.