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Unusual sleeping site selection by southern bamboo lemurs

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Abstract

Selection of sleeping sites has consequences for individual fitness. Non-human primates often bias their selection towards arboreal sites, and the lemurs of Madagascar typically rest/sleep in trees, tree holes, and/or constructed nests. Three non-mutually exclusive hypotheses to explain sleeping site selection include protection from predators, avoidance of parasitic vectors, and improved thermoregulation. Here, we examine these hypotheses for the unusual sleeping site selections by the southern bamboo lemur (Hapalemur meridionalis). Within the Mandena littoral forest of southeast Madagascar, the southern bamboo lemur is known for its ecological flexibility compared to other bamboo lemur species, including a dietary niche expansion to feeding on the ground. Between October 2012 and December 2013, we observed bamboo lemurs from three social groups for 1778.67 h, conducting full-day focal follows on 11 adult individuals (five males, six females). During this period, all three groups were observed to sleep on the ground, with one of these groups also using an abandoned nest of a Madagascar crested ibis (Lophotibis cristata). We collected habitat and temperature data to examine whether selection was influenced by environmental variables. Terrestrial sleeping (N = 17) was observed in all individuals but one adult female, with individuals burrowing under thick vegetation more often during the hot austral summer. While difficult to rigorously test, it is possible that terrestrial sleep sites and/or sleeping in a bird nest may impair visual detection by some aerial and terrestrial predators. Neither of these sites (i.e., terrestrial sleeping or use of a bird nest), however, is likely to minimize exposure to parasites/vectors. Terrestrial sleeping appears to support a thermoregulatory strategy, whereas the use of a bird nest could not be empirically tested. Our observations of unique sleeping site locations used by southern bamboo lemurs further the complexity of their natural history and that of Malagasy strepsirrhines.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the Direction du Système des Aires Protégées, and the Ministère de l’Environnement et Forêts of Madagascar for permission to conduct research. Special thanks to Jacques Rakotondranary and Tolona Andrianasolo, for their logistical assistance, and to Katie Hall for assistance in the field. We also thank the Environment Team at QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM) for their assistance and provision of logistical support onsite, and acknowledge their helpful staff, especially Jean-Baptiste Ramanamanjato, Johny Rabenantoandro, Faly Randriatafika, Laza Andriamandimbiarisoa, David Rabehevitra, and Robertin Ravelomanantsoa. This field research was result of generous financial and in-kind support provided by the American Society of Primatologists, Conservation International’s Primate Action Fund, Idea Wild, Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (project number: 11253008), Primate Conservation Inc., and the Primate Society of Great Britain/Knowsley Safari Park.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anthropology, University of Texas at Austin, 2201 Speedway Stop C3200, Austin, TX, 78712, USA

    Timothy M. Eppley

  2. Biozentrum Grindel, Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Timothy M. Eppley & Jörg U. Ganzhorn

  3. Nocturnal Primate Research Group, Department of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK

    Timothy M. Eppley & Giuseppe Donati

Authors
  1. Timothy M. Eppley
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  2. Giuseppe Donati
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  3. Jörg U. Ganzhorn
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Correspondence to Timothy M. Eppley.

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This study was conducted under the Accord de Collaboration between the University of Antananarivo, the University of Hamburg, and QMM. Research protocols were approved by all institutions and permits authorized by the Commission Tripartite of the Direction des Eaux et Forêts de Madagascar (Autorisation de recherché n.240/12/MEF/SG/DGF/DCB.SAP/SCB du 17/09/2012), adhering to the legal requirements of Madagascar.

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Eppley, T.M., Donati, G. & Ganzhorn, J.U. Unusual sleeping site selection by southern bamboo lemurs. Primates 57, 167–173 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-016-0516-4

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