Distribution of Ruffed Lemurs (Varecia variegata) in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar

Abstract

The distribution of Varecia variegata at 3 sites in Ranomafana National Park is consistent with the hypothesis that this specialized frugivore is the most susceptible of 12 sympatric lemur species to habitat disruption brought about by selective logging. Varecia is most abundant at the least disturbed site and absent from the most intensively logged site. The logged area showed lower values for overall tree basal area, crown diameters and tree height and an increase in the number of trees, presumably because of growing saplings. Varecia select large food trees of species that are preferentially logged. Although tree species diversity may be higher after logging, many Varecia food trees were absent from disturbed forests.