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Surveys on Propithecus verreauxi deckeni, a melanistic variant, and P. v. coronatus in north-west Madagascar

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2009

Deborah J. Curtis ,
Arsène Velo ,
Evelyne-Odette Raheliarisoa ,
Alphonse Zaramody  and
Pie Müller
Deborah J. Curtis
Affiliation:
Anthropological Institute, University Zürich-Irchel, Winterthurerstr. 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland. Tel: +41 1 635 54 28; Fax: +41 1 635 68 04; E-mail: [email protected]
Arsène Velo
Affiliation:
Département des Sciences de la Terre, Université de Mahajanga, BP 652, Mahajanga 401, Madagascar
Evelyne-Odette Raheliarisoa
Affiliation:
Département des Sciences de la Terre, Université de Mahajanga, BP 652, Mahajanga 401, Madagascar
Alphonse Zaramody
Affiliation:
Département des Sciences de la Terre, Université de Mahajanga, BP 652, Mahajanga 401, Madagascar
Pie Müller
Affiliation:
Anthropological Institute, University Zurich-Irchel, Winterthurerstr. 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
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Abstract

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Propithecus verreauxi is currently divided into three or four subspecies. Decken's sifaka, P. v. deckeni, and the crowned sifaka, P. v. coronatus, are believed to be synonymous by some authors, while others regard them as separate subspecies. The results of a survey on an isolated melanistic population of Decken's sifaka, known from museum specimens collected in Ambararatabe, as well as the results of additional surveys carried out within the ranges of P. v. deckeni and P. v. coronatus are presented. A detailed description and photographs of the melanistic variant are provided. The data are employed to argue the case for recognition of the subspecific status of the endangered P. v. coronatus. The consistency of sightings of P. v. coronatus to the east of the river Mahavavy and to the west of the river Betsiboka, and sightings of P. v. deckeni to the west of the Mahavavy indicate clear separation of the two subspecies in the lower reaches of two rivers. Clarification of the status of the enigmatic museum specimens from Ambararatabe, representing a melanisticform rather than hybridization of P. v. deckeni and P. v. coronatus, lends further support to this argument.

Type
Research Article
Information
Oryx , Volume 32 , Issue 2 , April 1998 , pp. 157 - 164
Copyright
Copyright © Fauna and Flora International 1998

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