Sahamalaza sportive lemur

The sportive lemurs (Lepilemuridae) constitute a family with only a single genus, Lepilemur. Relationships within this genus are not yet completely resolved, and genetic analyses continue to suggest reclassifications of current species. L. sahamalaza was split from L. dorsalis in 2006 after the latter taxon was found to be paraphyletic. The 2006 description of this species was considered invalid by ICZN standards, and it was formally described in 2017. In 2017, its name was changed from Lepilemur sahamalazensis to Lepilemur sahamalaza. == Description ==

The Sahamalaza sportive lemur is nocturnal and therefore has large orange eyes which are adapted for seeing in the dark. Individuals weigh , with females being up to heavier than males. Head-to-body length is approximately , and the tail is equally long. The color of the fur has elements of grey and red-brown, but this is variable depending on light conditions and possibly age of individuals. The lemur has lighter belly fur, which ranges from grey to creamy colored. It has a pronounced sense of smell, and the tip of its nose is moist and very sensitive. ==Distribution and habitat==

The Sahamalaza sportive lemur is endemic to the Sahamalaza Peninsula in northwestern Madagascar. The peninsula is part of a transition zone between the Sambirano region and the deciduous forest region. The climate here is seasonal; May–October is cool and dry, while November–April is hot and rainy. == Ecology ==

Diet The majority of the sportive lemurs' diet consists of leaves, but it will also take fruit, flowers, sap, bark and small invertebrates. Leaf-eating primates are rarely nocturnal, presumably because leaves are relatively low in sugars at night, since photosynthesis occurs at a lower rate or not at all. The metabolic rates of Lepilemur species are amongst the lowest recorded in mammalian folivores, and they are highly adapted for surviving on this diet. It has been suggested that Lepilemur species can only fulfil their dietary requirements with the aid of coprophagy (consuming their own feces). The Sahamalaza sportive lemur attends other species' alarm calls for predator alerts, a habit confirmed by experiments: when the call of a harrier hawk (a predator to Sahamalaza lemurs) was played near them, they became more alert and scanned the sky. == Threats ==

The Sahamalaza sportive lemur is preyed on by the Malagasy tree boa while sleeping during the day, as well as by birds of prey when in the open. The main anthropogenic threats to the species are habitat loss from deforestation (mostly logging) and subsistence hunting. Wildfires (May to October) are also believed to have an impact. ==Conservation==

A 2007 survey estimated a total population size of about 3000 individuals across multiple species within the Lepilemur complex, not all of which can be ascribed to this species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently classifies the species as critically endangered, largely on the basis of this survey. It is believed that populations have increased as a result of protection. ==References==