Blue-eyed Black Lemur: A Fascinating and Endangered Species
Blue-eyed black lemur (Eulemur macaco flavirons) also known as Sclater's lemur is a species of lemur found only in North West Madagascar's forest. Their favorite habitat is the tropical sub-humid forests and dry deciduous forests. They are medium-sized animals of the Lemuridae family. Amazingly, it is one of the most recently discovered lemur species. Nevertheless, they could be the first to face extinction. Blue-eyed black lemur was first described by anthropologists in 1983 and had been classified as subspecies of the black lemurs (Eulemur macaco) which are similar in appearance. However, anthropologist identified them as distinct species in 2008 and claim that these new species risk facing extinction in the next eleven years due to mass deforestation (Volampeno et al., 474). As a result, blue-eyed black lemurs have already been enlisted among the twenty-five most endangered species in the world.
Characteristics
Blue-eyed black lemurs cluster size range from 4-11 lemurs. In these clusters, male lemurs tend to be more than the female although the females are dominant. This species has not extensively been studied in its habitat but it is thought to be somewhat aggressive due to failed attempts to introduce a troop into a mixed species. Just like other lemurs, the blue-eyed lemurs primarily depend on olfactory communication. Both male and female blue-eyed lemurs have anogenital scent glands used to mark their territories. However, the males also have scent glands on their palms and foreheads which has not yet been observed in females. Females rub their anal glands on trees or on other suitable substrates to mark it while the males often use their wrist/palm and forehead to mark territories (Volampeno et al., 476).
Behavior
Blue-eyed black lemur live in large special groups which benefit them in different ways. The females can often be seen taking care of the infants including those from other females belonging to the same cluster. This, as a result, enhances infant survival. Also, living in groups helps these lemurs to deter predators that prefer hunting solitary prey (Volampeno et al., 480).
Their breeding season starts from April to June. Thus young lemurs are born in fall. Similarly, during fall as the females approach estrous, the males’ testicles increase in size and become more aggressive to each other. After, giving birth, females protect their young ones aggressively for about a week and later allow the youngsters in their troop have to first access to examine the baby. The baby is later examined by the mother's mate and finally other female members of the troop (Volampeno et al., 481).
Most births are single with twins being infrequent. Infants cling to their mothers' bellies during the first few weeks and only change positions to nurse. During the fourth and fifth weeks, they begin to make explorations away from their mothers. They explore solid foods and the importance of nursing steadily decline until they are weaned which happens at age 5-6 months (Volampeno et al., 483).
Diet
The blue-eyed lemurs feed on nectar and pollen which make the bulk of its diet. During the dry spells when nectar and pollen are scarce, they may feed on leaves, seeds, berries and sometimes insects. According to Birkinshaw (480), blue-eyed black lemur help to propagate some rainforest plants because it only digests the flesh of the fruits and not the seeds. As a result, it may have led to the spread of at least fifty different plant species. In fact, Birkinshaw (484) states that some plants may have evolved specifically with adaptations that facilitate dispersal by the blue-eyed black lemur. Also, they pollinate several plants where they feed on nectar and pollen (Birkinshaw, 252).
In conclusion, the blue-eyed black lemur is an amazing species and we should cooperate to protect it from extinction by stopping mass deforestation by embarking on reforestation in its habitat.
Works cited
Birkinshaw, Christopher R., and Ian Colquhoun. "Pollination of Ravenala madagascariensis and Parkia madagascariensis by Eulemur macaco in Madagascar." Folia Primatologica
69.5 (1998): 252-259.
Birkinshaw, Christopher. "Fruit characteristics of species dispersed by the black lemur (Eulemur macaco) in the Lokobe Forest, Madagascar." Biotropica 33.3 (2001): 478-486.
Volampeno, M. Sylviane N., Judith C. Masters, and Colleen T. Downs. "Life history traits, maternal behavior and infant development of blue‐eyed black lemurs (Eulemur flavifrons)." American Journal of Primatology
73.5 (2011): 474-484.
