Use of Mangroves by Lemurs

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Primate Conservation
• Mangrove Ecosystems

Background:

• Mangrove ecosystem services are increasingly recognized, yet their role in supporting terrestrial biodiversity, particularly primates, remains understudied.
• Madagascar's lemurs face a severe extinction crisis, with over 94% of species threatened, and their presence in mangrove habitats is poorly documented.

Approach:

• A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a systematic literature review with a targeted information request to 1243 professionals and researchers.
• This strategy aimed to gather both published and unpublished data on lemur occurrences within Madagascar's mangrove ecosystems.

Key Points:

• At least 23 lemur species from 5 families were observed using mangroves, representing over 20% of all lemur species and over 50% of species with mangrove-adjacent distributions.
• Lemurs utilize mangroves for essential activities such as foraging, sleeping, and as corridors for movement between terrestrial forest patches, with some individuals found up to 3 km inland.
• The majority of records are anecdotal, highlighting a significant knowledge gap regarding lemur ecology within these unique habitats.

Conclusions:

• Lemur utilization of mangrove habitats is more widespread than previously understood.
• Mangrove ecosystems warrant increased attention from primate researchers and conservationists in Madagascar due to their role in lemur survival.