Animal Diversity Web

Geographic Range

Like all sportive lemurs, Lepilemur septentrionalis is found on the island of Madagascar. Northern sportive lemurs are confined to the northern tip of Madagascar from the left bank of the Loky river to the coast. ("Lemurs", 2003)

• Biogeographic Regions
• ethiopian
  • native

• Other Geographic Terms
• island endemic

Habitat

Northern sportive lemurs live in dry, deciduous forests and more humid evergreen forests. They spend most of the day sleeping in tree holes or dense bundles of vines. Most sleep sites are 6 to 8 m above ground, but some have been found as low as 1 m. ("Lemurs", 2003; Garbutt, 1999; Richardson, 2005)

• Habitat Regions
• tropical
• terrestrial

• Terrestrial Biomes
• forest

• Average elevation

  800 m

  2624.67 ft

Physical Description

Northern sportive lemurs are among the smallest members of the genus Lepilemur. They grow to around 53 cm, with a head and body length averaging 28 cm and tail length averaging 25 cm. The average weight of northern sportive lemurs is 0.7 to 0.8 kg. Their coloration is grey-brown and is darkest at the crown. There is a dark grey stripe that begins at the crown and runs down the dorsal line. The underside is grey. Northern sportive lemurs have enlarged, fleshy pads on their hands and feet that improve their grasp on tree branches, making them agile in the trees. They have binocular vision and large eyes. They have a large caecum to accomodate their folivorous diet. The ears are much less prominent in L. septentrionalis than in other members of the genus Lepilemur. ("Lemurs", 2003; Garbutt, 1999; Richardson, 2005)

• Other Physical Features
• endothermic
• homoiothermic
• bilateral symmetry

• Sexual Dimorphism
• sexes alike

• Average mass

  0.7 kg

  1.54 lb

• Average length

  28 cm

  11.02 in

Reproduction

Male northern sportive lemurs are solitary and have territories that overlap those of one or more females. Males are polygynous and will visit each female in their territory during the mating season. ("Lemurs", 2003)

• Mating System
• polygynous

Within Lepilemur birthing happens between September and December, after a gestational period of 120 to 150 days. The young are weaned at four months, but can remain with the mother for up to a year, and they typically reach sexual maturity at around 18 months. Although there is little specific information on northern sportive lemurs, it is likely that reproduction is similar to other Lepilemur species. ("Sportive lemur", 2005)

• Key Reproductive Features
• iteroparous
• seasonal breeding
• gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)
• sexual
• fertilization
• viviparous

• Breeding interval

  Lepilemur septentrionalis breeds once per year.

• Breeding season

  Breeding occurs from April to August.

• Average number of offspring

  1

• Range gestation period

  120 to 150 days

• Average weaning age

  4 months

• Average time to independence

  1 years

• Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)

  18 months

• Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)

  18 months

Females give birth to one offspring each year. Offspring are raised entirely by the mother. The mother lives with and cares for the offspring by providing food and protection, but will leave the offspring on a branch when going to forage for food. (Richardson, 2005)

• Parental Investment
• pre-fertilization
  • provisioning
  • protecting
    • female
• pre-hatching/birth
  • provisioning
    • female
  • protecting
    • female
• pre-weaning/fledging
  • provisioning
    • female
  • protecting
    • female
• pre-independence
  • provisioning
    • female
  • protecting
    • female
• post-independence association with parents

Lifespan/Longevity

The lifespan of L. septentrionalis has not been specifically studied. However, members of the genus Lepilemur have lived as long as 15 years in captivity and have an average lifespan of about 8 years . It is likely that L. septentrionalis has a similar potential lifespan. ("Sportive lemur", 2005; Reynolds, 2005)

• Average lifespan
  Status: captivity

  15 years

• Average lifespan
  Status: wild

  8 years

Behavior

Lepilemur septentrionalis is arboreal and nocturnal. They sleep in tree holes or foliage of trees from heights of 1 to 8 m during the day. They cling to a tree in a vertical position and leap from that position. This leaping behavior is why this genus is called "sportive." Leaping is the primary mode of locomotion. (Richardson, 2005)

The solitary lives of males means that each has a territory, and the territory can overlap many female home ranges. The male breeds with each female in its territory during mating season. Males of this species will aggressively defend their territory. ("Northern Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur septentrionalis)", 2000; Richardson, 2005)

• Key Behaviors
• arboreal
• saltatorial
• nocturnal
• motile
• sedentary
• solitary
• territorial

• Average territory size

  Male: 0.03, Female: 0.018 km^2

Home Range

The home range for L. septentrionalis is not known. However, for L. leucopus, a member of the same genus, the average home range of a female is 0.18 hectares, and the average home range of a male is 0.3 hectares. It is likely that L. septentrionalis has a similarly sized home range. (Schreffler, 2000)

Communication and Perception

Northern sportive lemurs communicate through vocal communication or calls. There are two primary calls, a loud call and a contact rejection call. ("Northern Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur septentrionalis)", 2000; "Northern Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur septentrionalis)", 2000)

The loud call is a crow-like call used to indicate their presence and territorial claims. ("Lemurs", 2003)

The contact rejection call is a series of resonant hisses trailed by a two phase vocalization. This is heard when two individuals are close to each other in the wild. It also occurs in captivity if an individual is approached by a conspecific. ("Northern Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur septentrionalis)", 2000)

Also, many members of the genus Lepilemur engage in latrine behavior to scent mark their territorial boundaries. Therefore, it is likely that L. septentrionalis employs scent marking as a form of chemical communication. (Irwin, et al., 2004)

• Communication Channels
• visual
• tactile
• acoustic
• chemical

• Other Communication Modes
• scent marks

• Perception Channels
• visual
• tactile
• acoustic
• chemical

Food Habits

Northern sportive lemurs mainly feed on leaves, along with some flowers and fruit. They are cecotrophic, meaning they re-digest their own feces to break down the cellulose from the leaves even more. They do this because of the low energy value of leaves as a food source. (Richardson, 2005)

• Primary Diet
• herbivore
  • folivore

• Plant Foods
• leaves
• fruit
• flowers

• Other Foods
• dung

Predation

Northern sportive lemurs are preyed upon by Sanzinia madagascariensis, a boa species native to Madagascar, which takes the lemurs from their holes during the daytime, while they sleep. Also, members of the genus Lepilemur are sometimes hunted for food by humans, so it is likely that L. septentrionalis is hunted for food. Large birds of prey are also likely to prey on northern sportive lemurs. ("Lemurs", 2003)

Northern sportive lemurs are agile and wary, and try to avoid many predators by being inactive during the day and staying in the trees.

• Known Predators

  • Humans (Homo sapiens)
  • Madagascar tree boa Sanzinia madagascariensis
  • large birds of prey (Falconiformes and Strigiformes)

Ecosystem Roles

Northern sportive lemurs serve as prey to Sanzinia madagascariensis, a native boa species. Therefore, they have some effect on the local food webs. Also, because they are nocturnal folivores, they have an impact on the trees in the area. (Reynolds, 2005)

• Ecosystem Impact
• disperses seeds

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

Northern sportive lemurs are sometimes hunted for food. The endemic lemur radiation in Madagascar is a rich natural heritage, with both research and ecotourism value. ("Lemurs", 2003)

• Positive Impacts
• food
• ecotourism
• research and education

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

There are no known negative effects of northern sportive lemurs on humans.

Conservation Status

Northern sportive lemurs are listed as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN. They are at risk due to a loss of habitat from the slash and burn agricultural technique practiced in its area. They are also illegally hunted for food. The total population of the species is estimated to be between 10,000 and 100,000 individuals. All members of the genus Lepilemur are considered endangered by the U.S. Endangered species act and are on the CITES Appendix I. ("Lemurs", 2003; Richardson, 2005)

• IUCN Red List

  Critically Endangered
  More information

• IUCN Red List

  Critically Endangered
  More information

• US Federal List

  Endangered

• CITES

  Appendix I

Other Comments

All sportive lemurs belong to the genus Lepilemur. In recent times, some regarded all forms as subspecies of Lepilemur mustelinus. However, due to genetic and morphological differences, these subspecific divisions became full species divisions. (Garbutt, 1999)

Contributors

Tanya Dewey (editor), Animal Diversity Web.

Mike Benson (author), Kalamazoo College, Ann Fraser (editor, instructor), Kalamazoo College.

References

2003. Lemurs. Pp. 83 in M Hutchins, D Kleiman, V Geist, M McDade, eds. Grizmek's Animal Life Encylopedia, Vol. 12: Mammals I, 2nd Edition. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group.

2000. "Northern Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur septentrionalis)" (On-line). Accessed October 20, 2005 at http://members.tripod.com/uakari/lepilemur_septentrionalis.html.

2005. "Sportive lemur" (On-line). Accessed November 21, 2005 at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megaladapidae.

Garbutt, N. 1999. Mammals of Madagascar. New Haven: Yale University Press.

Irwin, M., K. Samonds, J. Raharison, P. Wright. 2004. Lemur Latrines: Observations of Latrine Behavior in Wild Primates and Possible Ecological Significance. Journal of Mammalogy, 85/3: 420-427.

Reynolds, L. 2005. "Lepilemur leucopus" (On-line). Animal Diversity Web. Accessed November 23, 2005 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lepilemur_leucopus.html..

Richardson, M. 2005. "Northern Sportive Lemur" (On-line). Accessed October 20, 2005 at http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/mammals/Lepilemur_septentrionalis/more_info.html.

Schreffler, C. 2000. "Lepilemur mustelinus" (On-line). Animal Diversity Web. Accessed November 10, 2005 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lepilemur_mustelinus.html.