Cathemeral Behavior of Eulemur macaco macaco at Ambato Massif, Madagascar

A 15-month field study of Eulemur macaco macaco socioecology at Ambato Massif revealed year-round cathemeral activity. There were both daily and seasonal rhythms of diurnal behavior. However, as measured by vocalizations and group movements, the relative occurrence of nocturnal activity was not mark...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inFolia primatologica Vol. 69; no. 7; pp. 22 - 34
Main Author Colquhoun, Ian C
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published The Netherlands Brill 01.01.1998
Subjects
Behaviour: Reviewed Article
Lunar cycle
Eulemur macaco
Socioecology
Madagascar
Cathemeral behavior
Lemuridae
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Summary:A 15-month field study of Eulemur macaco macaco socioecology at Ambato Massif revealed year-round cathemeral activity. There were both daily and seasonal rhythms of diurnal behavior. However, as measured by vocalizations and group movements, the relative occurrence of nocturnal activity was not markedly seasonal and apparently followed the phases of the moon. Increased nocturnal activity was noted when the moon was waxing and during the full moon. These nocturnal activity data are preliminary, as they were gathered by indirect methods. Nonetheless, these data strongly suggest that black lemurs do not exhibit a seasonal increase in cathemeral activity in association with the scarcity of fruit resources during the austral winter and a concomitant need to increase consumption of leaves, flowers or nectar.
ISBN:3805566808
9783805566803
ISSN:0015-5713
1421-9980
DOI:10.1159/000052696