Do ruffed lemurs form a hybrid zone? : distribution and discovery of Varecia, with systematic and conservation implications. American Museum novitates ; no. 3376

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dc.contributor.authorVasey, Natalia.en_US
dc.contributor.authorTattersall, Ian.en_US
dc.date.accessioned2005-10-06T16:41:02Z
dc.date.available2005-10-06T16:41:02Z
dc.date.issued2002en_US
dc.description26 p. : ill. (some col.), maps ; 26 cm.en_US
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references (p. 23-26).en_US
dc.description.abstractSince their discovery by Western explorers traveling to Madagascar in the 17th century, the ruffed lemurs have undergone numerous taxonomic revisions. During the 19th and 20th centuries, it was intermittently suggested that black-and-white and red ruffed lemurs hybridize in nature. Despite the fact that a natural hybrid zone has never been documented, this suggestion has played a large role in designating the two forms as subspecies of the single species Varecia variegata. Through a review and synthesis of historical documents, taxonomic literature, museum collections, menagerie and zoo records, recent survey work, genetic data, and vocalization data, we examine the evidence for a natural hybrid zone and suggest taxonomic revisions. Our work indicates a more extensive hybrid zone than previously suggested-but one in which hybridization is the exception rather than the rule. Furthermore, our findings warrant upgrading the black-and-white ruffed lemur and the red ruffed lemur from subspecies to full species, Varecia variegata (Kerr, 1792) and Varecia rubra (E. Geoffroy, 1812). Our results support the current captive breeding practices of U.S. and European zoos participating in the ruffed lemur "Species Survival Plan" and the "European Endangered Species Programme". Lastly, and possibly most importantly, we can now set specific geographic priorities for conserving the habitat of these highly endangered lemurs in northern Madagascar.en_US
dc.format.extent616247 bytes
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2246/2865
dc.languageengen_US
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.publisherNew York, NY : American Museum of Natural Historyen_US
dc.relation.ispartofseriesAmerican Museum novitates ; no. 3376en_US
dc.subject.lccQL1 .A436 no.3376, 2002en_US
dc.subject.lcshVarecia -- Classification.en_US
dc.subject.lcshVarecia -- Speciation.en_US
dc.subject.lcshHybridization.en_US
dc.subject.lcshLemurs -- Classification.en_US
dc.subject.lcshLemurs -- Speciation.en_US
dc.subject.lcshEndangered species -- Madagascar.en_US
dc.subject.lcshWildlife conservation -- Madagascar.en_US
dc.subject.lcshPrimates -- Madagascar -- Classification.en_US
dc.subject.lcshPrimates -- Speciation -- Madagascar.en_US
dc.subject.lcshMammals -- Madagascar -- Classification.en_US
dc.subject.lcshMammals -- Speciation -- Madagascar.en_US
dc.titleDo ruffed lemurs form a hybrid zone? : distribution and discovery of Varecia, with systematic and conservation implications. American Museum novitates ; no. 3376en_US
dc.title.alternativeSystematics of Vareciaen_US
dc.typetexten_US

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