Funding: DFG (RA 502/20-1 and others), Volkswagen-Stiftung, DAAD (PhD/reinvitation fellowship to BR, SR, RoR, RiR, AH), private donors, Biopat e.V.; Small Rufford Fund
Project Details:
A central question in evolutionary and conservation biology is how and to what extent species adapt to habitat fluctuations in their natural environment and to what extent environmental flexibility is linked to distribution and speciation. We address these questions in a longterm research programme by a comparative and integrative approach to nocturnal lemurs, a unique model for basal primates. Lemurs are endemic to Madagascar. Current research revealed a much higher species diversity in nocturnal lemurs than previously assumed. Lemurs underwent a broad-scale adaptive radiation after their initial colonization of Madagascar about 60 Mya. Extant lemurs consist of more than 100 species which inhabit the various forest habitats of the Island. Many species, in particular nocturnal species, have only been described recently, partly by our group. The underlying colonisation history and the factors driving this diversification are so far only poorly known. Here, we aim to understand the factors that promoted this radiation and shaped distribution, adaptation and genetic structures of lemurs. We are also addressing the question of the basis of reproductive isolation of species. These analyses are focused on the genera Microcebus spp., Lepilemur spp. and Avahi ssp. Whereas some species within a taxon show quite limited, others show broad distributions. Nocturnal lemurs belong to the endangered primates due to anthopogenically caused habitat degradation and poaching. We perform field studies, supplemented by experimental studies, particulary in north-western, northern and eastern Madagascar, using comparable methods, to study the ecology, behaviour, communication, parasite infections and the genetics of populations of lemurs of the same taxon showing contrasting distribution and to assess sensory, vocal, ecological and social determinants of species flexibility and its link to genetics. Our current research focus is on mouse lemurs, sportive lemurs and woolly lemurs. Results will deliver important tools to monitor and manage the biodiversity in tropical forests. Furthermore they will be a first step to understand the evolution of the unique species diversity of lemurs in Madagascar and the origin and evolution of our own primate ancestry.
Results:
e.g.
Ganzhorn, J.U.; Ratovonamana, Y.R.; Rother, M.; Giertz, P.; Andrews, C.A.; Baumann, S.; Bohr, Y.E.-M.B.; Kappeler, P.M.; Montero, K.B.; Pommerening-Roeser, A.; Radespiel, U.; Rakotondranary, J.S.; Schülke, O.; Steffens, K.J.E.; Thorén, S.; Timmermann, G.; Tomaschewski, I. (2023): Nutritional and possible pharmaceutical aspects of tree exudates eaten by lemurs of Madagascar?s dry forests. Separations, 10, 575. https:// doi.org/10.3390/separations10110575
Schüßler, D.; Blanco, M.B.; Guthrie, N.K.; Sgarlata, G.M.; Dammhahn, M.; Refaly, E.; Rina Evasoa, M.; Hasiniaina, A.; Hending, D.; Jan, F.; le Pors, B.; Miller, A.; Olivieri, G.; Rakotonanahary, A.N.; Rakotondranary, S.J.; Rakotondravony, R.; Ralantoharijaona, T.; Ramananjato, V.; Randrianambinina, B.; Raoelinjanakolona, N.N.; Rasoazanabary, E.; Rasoloarison, R.M.; Rasolofoson, D.W.; Rasoloharijaona, S.; Rasolondraibe, E.; Roberts, S.H.; Teixeira, H.; van Elst, T.; Johnson, S.E.; Ganzhor, J.U.; Chikhi, L.; Kappeler, P.M.; Louis Jr., E.E.; Salmona, J.; Radespiel, U. (2023): Morphological variability or inter-observer bias? A methodological toolkit to improve data quality of multi-researcher datasets for the analysis of morphological variation. Am. J. of Biol. Anthropol., 183, 60-78. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.24836
Marquès Gomila, C.; Kiene, F.; Klein, A.; Kessler, S.E.; Zohdy, S.; Rakotondravony, R.; Durden, L.A.; Radespiel, U. (2023): Host-related and environmental factors influence long-term ectoparasite infestation dynamics of mouse lemurs in northwestern Madagascar. Am. J. Primatol., 85(6), e23494. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23494
Springer, A.; Durden L.A.; Kiene F.; Klein, A.; Rakotondravony, R.; Ehlers, J.; Greiman, S.E.; Blanco, M.B.; Zohdy, S.; Kessler, S.E.; Strube, C.*; Radespiel, U.* (2023): Molecular phylogenetics of the sucking louse genus Lemurpediculus (Insecta: Phthiraptera), ectoparasites of lemurs, with descriptions of three new species. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 20, 138-152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.02.002 (*: joint senior authors)
Kessler, S.; Tsangaras, K.; Rasoloharijaona, S.; Radespiel, U.; Greenwood, A.D. (2023): Long-term host-pathogen evolution of endogenous beta- and gammaretroviruses in mouse lemurs with little evidence of recent retroviral introgression. Virus Evolution, 9, 1-13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ve/veac117
Cooperation Partners:
Prof. Dr. Blanchard Randrianbinina (BR), Université de Mahajanga, Madagascar
Prof. Dr. Solofonirina Rasoloharijaona (SR), Université de Mahajanga, Madagascar
Dr. Romule Rasoloarison (RoR), Université de Mahajanga, Madagascar
Dr. Rindra Ramanankirahina (RiR), Université de Antananrivo, Madagascar
Alida Hasinianina, PhD, Madagascar
Mamy R. Evasoa, PhD, University of Mahajanga, Madagascar
Dr. L. Chikhi, Toulouse University, France and IGC, Portugal
Prof. B. Crowley, University of Cincinnati, USA
Groupe d'Étude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar
Prof. J. Ratsimbazafy, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar
