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Size, space, and adaptation in some subfossil lemurs from Madagascar
L R Godfrey1, M R Sutherland, A J Petto
1Department of Anthropology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003.
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Body size variation in Archaeolemur lemurs is linked to plant diversity and climate. Larger lemurs inhabit wetter areas, smaller ones arid regions, reflecting common ecological influences on Malagasy lemurs.
Area of Science:
- Paleontology
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Subfossil lemurs like Archaeolemur provide insights into past biodiversity and evolutionary patterns.
- Geographic variation in body size is a common phenomenon in many species, influenced by environmental factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the drivers of geographic body size variation in the subfossil lemur Archaeolemur.
- To determine the ecological and climatic factors correlating with body size differences across Archaeolemur populations.
Main Methods:
- Stepwise, hierarchical application of partial correlation and multiple regression analyses.
- Statistical modeling to assess interdependencies between body size, plant community richness, and climatic variables.
Main Results:
- Plant community richness and climatic variables (bioclimatic zone, mean annual rainfall) significantly explained body size variation in Archaeolemur.
- A pattern of smaller body size in arid regions and larger body size in wetter regions was observed.
- This pattern of size differentiation is consistent with that seen in other Malagasy lemur groups.
Conclusions:
- Ecological factors, particularly those influencing niche productivity, have likely driven body size differentiation in Malagasy lemurs.
- The observed concordant pattern of size variation suggests a combination of selective pressures and allopatric speciation.
- Climate and resource availability are key determinants of lemur body size evolution in Madagascar.