Gray-headed lemur

Gray-headed lemur
CITES Appendix I (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Strepsirrhini
Family: Lemuridae
Genus: Eulemur
Species:
E. cinereiceps
Binomial name
Eulemur cinereiceps
Distribution of E. cinereiceps[1]
Synonyms
  • albocollaris Rumpler, 1975[4]

The gray-headed lemur (Eulemur cinereiceps), or gray-headed brown lemur, is a medium-sized primate, a cathemeral species of lemur in the family Lemuridae. Until a taxonomic revision in 2008, it was known as the white-collared brown lemur or white-collared lemur (Eulemur albocollaris).[4] It lives in south-eastern Madagascar.[1] In 2005, satellite imagery estimates showed approximately 700 km2 (270 sq mi) of total remaining habitat within its geographic range.[5] It is highly threatened by hunting and habitat loss, and was considered to be among the 25 most endangered primates in 2006–2008.[6] It is currently listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to a highly restricted range,[1] and has been named one of "The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates."[7]

The gray-headed lemur is only found in southeastern Madagascar, from the Manampatrana River south to the Mananara River.[5][8]

Change in taxonomy

[edit]

Recent genetic and morphological evidence has suggested that the former name, E. albocollaris, was actually a junior synonym of E. cinereiceps.[1] Consequently, the common name gray-headed lemur and the scientific name Eulemur cinereiceps were resurrected to replace white-collared brown lemur and E. albocollaris respectively.[4][9]

Previously, this species was listed as a subspecies of the common brown lemur until elevated to species status in 2001. However, genetic and field studies still support subspecies status under the biological species concept.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Johnson, S.; Andriamisedra, T.R.; Donohue, M.E.; Ralainasolo, F.B.; Birkinshaw, C.; Ludovic, R.; Ratsimbazafy, J. (2020). "Eulemur cinereiceps". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T8205A115562060. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T8205A115562060.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Checklist of CITES Species". CITES. UNEP-WCMC. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  3. ^ Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
  4. ^ a b c d Mittermeier, Russell A.; Ganzhorn, Jörg U.; Konstant, William R.; et al. (2008). "Lemur Diversity in Madagascar". International Journal of Primatology. 29 (6): 1607–1656. doi:10.1007/s10764-008-9317-y. hdl:10161/6237. ISSN 0164-0291. S2CID 17614597.
  5. ^ a b c Ganzhorn, J.; et al. (2006). Lemurs of Madagascar (2nd ed.). Conservation International. pp. 251 & 280. ISBN 1-881173-88-7.
  6. ^ Mittermeier, Russell A.; Ratsimbazafy, Jonah; Rylands, Anthony B.; et al. (2007). "Primates in Peril: The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates, 2006–2008". Primate Conservation. 22 (1): 1–40. doi:10.1896/052.022.0101. hdl:1893/1360. ISSN 0898-6207. S2CID 198157959.
  7. ^ Mittermeier, R.A.; Wallis, J.; Rylands, A.B.; et al., eds. (2009). Primates in Peril: The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates 2008–2010 (PDF). Illustrated by S.D. Nash. Arlington, VA: IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group (PSG), International Primatological Society (IPS), and Conservation International (CI). pp. 1–92. ISBN 978-1-934151-34-1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 August 2011.
  8. ^ Garbutt (2007). Mammals of Madagascar, A Complete Guide. A&C Black Publishers. pp. 163–4. ISBN 978-0-300-12550-4.
  9. ^ Johnson, Steig E.; Lei, Runhua; Martin, Sara K.; Irwin, Mitchell T.; Louis, Edward E. (2008). "Does Eulemur cinereiceps exist? Preliminary evidence from genetics and ground surveys in southeastern Madagascar". American Journal of Primatology. 70 (4): 372–385. doi:10.1002/ajp.20501. ISSN 0275-2565. PMID 18027864. S2CID 42066627.