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Evidence of invasice Wildcat (Felis Silverstris) Predation on Propithecus Verreauxi at Beza Mahafaly Reserve, Madagascar
International Journal of Primatology (2008)
  • Laurie Godfrey, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
  • D. K Brockman
  • L. J Dollar
  • J. Ratsirarson
Abstract
Increasing evidence supports the idea that endemic avian and mammalian predators have profoundly impacted primate populations in Madagascar (Goodman, S. M. Predation on lemurs. In S. M. Goodman, & J. P. Benstead (Eds.), The natural history of Madagascar (pp. 1221–1228). Chicago: University of Chicago Press, (2003).). The role in regulating lemur populations of the 3 introduced mammalian carnivorans —small Indian civets (Viverricula indica, Desmarest 1804), domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris, Linnaeus 1758), and invasive wildcats (Felis silvestris, Schreber 1775)— is less clear, but recent evidence suggests that the latter 2 are becoming important predators of diurnal lemurs. We report evidence for invasive wildcat predation on sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi) in Parcel 1 at Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve, Madagascar, including skeletal remains of apparent Propithecus sifaka victims, observations of wildcat predatory behavior, and behavioral responses of the lemurs in the presence of wildcats.
Disciplines
Publication Date
2008
Publisher Statement
DOI: 10.1007/s10764-007-9145-5
Citation Information
Laurie Godfrey, D. K Brockman, L. J Dollar and J. Ratsirarson. "Evidence of invasice Wildcat (Felis Silverstris) Predation on Propithecus Verreauxi at Beza Mahafaly Reserve, Madagascar" International Journal of Primatology Vol. 29 Iss. 1 (2008)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/laurie_godfrey/21/