A study of foraging behavior in Western Lesser Bamboo Lemur (Hapalemur occidentalis) — Presentation Detail — Celebration of Scholars

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Additional Information

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Jun Wang
Kim Instenes
John Kirk
Nora Nickels
Andrew Pustina
James Ripley

A study of foraging behavior in Western Lesser Bamboo Lemur (Hapalemur occidentalis)

Name: Alexandra Steffen
Major: Biology
Hometown: Roseville, MN
Faculty Sponsor: Angela Dassow
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Independent research

Abstract

Hapalemur occidentalis is a crepuscular species of lemur indigenous to north-western areas of Madagascar. There are few published articles on the behavior of this species of lemur in the wild. In this study, a group of four H. occidentalis, were observed for a total of 112 hours in November 2017. The study took place in Antanetiambo reserve in the northern region of Madagascar. The group consisted of a juvenile female, a sub-adult female, an adult female and an adult male. A focal animal study was used to record the behaviors of each individual in the group for a 30 minute period; every half hour the main subject of the focal animal study was switched. All call types and potential meanings were recorded. Feeding bout duration and predominant vegetation being consumed were also recorded. The juvenile was the most active of the four lemurs, 44.46% of her time was spent engaged in activities beyond sleeping and resting. The sub-adult spent 15.31% of her time eating, more than the other lemurs. The lemurs were observed consuming Phyllostatchys aurea most frequently, with a total of 66 bouts out of 155. However, the longest duration (579 seconds) was spent feeding on the Ficus oppositifolia. The preliminary findings from this study represented the first formal description of H. occidentalis behaviors.

Poster file