Habitat Fragmentation and Conservation

Funding: Houston Zoo, United States DAAD (reinvitation fellowship to RR), 2.364 EUR

Project Details:
The aims of this project are to: determine the limits of the distribution M. gerpi by sampling captured mouse lemurs at varying distances from Sahafina; we use molecular methods to confirm the taxonomic status of all captured mouse lemurs in the study region; determine the sensitivity of M. gerpi to habitat degradation; and based on these findings, formulate recommendations for this species' effective conservation. The chief outcomes of the project will be 1) clarification of the distribution of M. gerpi, and 2) formulation of a conservation action plan for M. gerpi, which will be used to update its IUCN status, and which will be enacted through separately-funded conservation activities including community outreach.

Results:

Rakotondravony, R.; Schüßler, D.; Rovanirina, V.S.R.; Ratsimbazafy, J.; Radespiel, U. (2023): Variation in abundance and habitat use of the Critically Endangered Microcebus gerpi across its fragmented range. Am. J. Primatol., 85(11), e23553. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23553

 

Van Elst, T.; Schüßler, D.; Rakotondravony, D.; Rovanirina, V.S.T.; Veillet, A.; Hohenlohe, P.A.; Ratsimbazafy, J.H.; Rasoloarison, R.M.; Rasoloharijaona, S.; Randrianambinina, B.; Ramilison, M.L.; Yoder, A.D.; Louis, E.E. Jr.; Radespiel, U. (2023): Diversification processes in Gerp's mouse lemur demonstrate the importance of rivers and altitude as biogeographic barriers in Madagascar's humid rainforests. Ecol. Evol., 13: e10254. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10254

Cooperation Partners:

Prof. Dr. Jonah Ratsinbazafy, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar

Dr. Romule Rakotondravony, Universitity of Mahajanga, Madagascar GERP (Groupe d´étude et de recherches sur les primates de Madagascar)

Funding: BMBF - DLR Projektträger, Teilprojekt aus dem BIODIVERSA Programm der EU, 301.195 EUR

Project Details:
The global biodiversity crisis that is affecting ecosystems worldwide is a major subject of concern and is expected to worsen with ongoing global changes. Climate change together with other anthropogenic factors will lead to the displacement of many favorable environments in the next decades owing to fast altitudinal and latitudinal shifts, with greatest predicted impacts in biodiversity hotspots. These shifts will lead to an increase in Habitat Loss and Fragmentation (HL&F), the main threats to Biodiversity worldwide. There is therefore a need to understand the consequences of HL&F, and to identify the barriers to gene flow at various spatial and temporal scales. We study HL&F in the context of past and future environmental changes, across taxa and regions. We use Madagascar as a model region and use comparative genomic analyses to infer generalizable critical features of ecological networks across various taxonomic and spatial scales. In particular, we identify barriers to gene flow based on genomic datasets and study the effects of forest fragmentation on the vegetation, and the abundance and parasite load of two mouse lemur and two rodent species.

Results:

Mercado-Malabet, F.; Ramsay, M.S.; Chell, C.; Andriatsitohaina, B.; Radespiel, U.; Lehman, S.M. (2024). Where the small things are: Modelling edge effects on mouse lemur population density and distribution in northwestern Madagascar. Am. J. Primatol., 87, e23621. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23621.

 

Ramsay, M.S.; Sgarlata, G.; Barratt, C.D.; Salmona, J.; Andriatsitohaina, B.; Kiene, F.; Manzi, S.; Ramilison, M.L.; Rakotondravony, R.; Chikhi, L.; Lehman, S.M.; Radespiel, U. (2023): Effects of forest fragmentation on connectivity and genetic diversity in an endemic and an invasive rodent in northwestern Madagascar. Genes, 14(7), 1451. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14071451.

 

Kiene, F.; Springer, A.; Andriatsitohaina, B.; Ramsay, M.S.; Rakotondravony, R.; Strube, C.*; Radespiel, U.* (2023): Filarial infections in lemurs: Evidence for a wide geographical distribution and low host specificity among lemur species. Am. J. Primatol., 85(2), e23458. DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23458 (*: joint senior authors)

 

Kiene, F.; Antriatsitohaina B.; Ramsay, M.S.; Rakotondravony, R.; Strube, C.*; Radespiel, U.* (2021): Habitat fragmentation and vegetation structure impact gastrointestinal parasites of small mammalian hosts in Madagascar. Ecology and Evolution 11, 6766-6788. Doi: 10.1002/ece3.7526.

 

Andriatsitohaina, B.; Romero-Mujalli, D.; Ramsay, M.S.; Kiene, F.; Rasoloharijaona, S.; Rakotondravony, R.; Lehman, S.M.; Radespiel, U. (2020): Effects of habitat edges on vegetation structure and the vulnerable golden-brown mouse lemur (Microcebus ravelobensis) in northwestern Madagascar. BMC Ecology 20, 69. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12898-020-00337-z.

Cooperation Partners:

Dr. Lounès Chikhi, IGC, Oeiras, Portugal

Prof. Olivier Mazet, Universität Toulouse, Frankreich

Dr. Guillaume Besnard, Universität Toulouse, Frankreich

Dr. Jordi Salmona, Universität Toulouse, Frankreich

Prof. Shawn Lehman, Universität Toronto, Canada

Dr. Romule Rakotondravony, Universität Mahajanga, Madagaskar

Prof. Solofonirina Rasoloharijaona, Universität Mahajanga, Madagaskar

Travis Steffens, PhD, University of Guelph, Canada; Planet Madagascar

Funding: DAAD-fellowship, external through collaborations

Project Details:
The increasing fragmentation of tropical rain forests, due to anthropogenic landscape changes, is an increasing problem for the biodiversity in this ecosystem. Changes of natural habitats affect individuals of different species in a variety of ways. Therefore, the knowledge of the ecological plasticity and sensitivity of a wide range of species is essential for empirically supported conservation efforts and management. Compared to large mammals, our knowledge about how small mammals are affected by habitat fragmentation is in its infancy. The aim of this study is to assess to what extent forest fragmentation influences the genetic diversity and gene flow among populations of small mammals by means of new methods in conservation genetics. Several small mammal communities from forest fragments of different size will be assessed in composition as well as diversity, and the species-specific abundance as well as the genetic structure of various model species will be studied in detail. The thereby acquired knowledge will help to get a better understanding of specific threats posed to small mammal communities due to forest fragmentation.

Results:

Brunke, J.; Russo, I.-R.M.; Orozco-terWengel, P.; Zimmermann, E.; Bruford, M.W.; Goossens, B.; Radespiel, U. (2020): Dispersal and genetic structure of a tropical small mammal, the Bornean tree shrew (Tupaia longipes), in a fragmented landscape along the Kinabatangan River, Sabah, Malaysia. BMC Genetics, 21, 43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12863-020-00849-z

 

Brunke, J.; Radespiel, U.; Russo, I.-R.; Bruford, M.W.; Goossens, B. (2019): Messing about on the river: The role of geographic barriers in shaping the genetic structure of Bornean small mammals in a fragmented landscape. Cons. Gen., 20, 691-704, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-019-01159-3.

Cooperation Partners:

Dr. Benoit Goossens, Danau Girang Field Center, Malaysia and Cardiff University, GB

Prof. Mike Bruford, Cardiff University, GB

Dr. Pablo Orozco-terWengel, Cardiff University, GB

Funding: BMBF, DFG (Ra 502/7), DAAD, VolkswagenStiftung, Bundesamt für Naturschutz, BIOPAT e.V., private Spender, 292.450 EUR

Project Details:
The development of effective conservation measures for endangered species requires a detailed knowledge on the remaining individual numbers, the distribution of species and the factors causing potential threats to their survival. Moreover, it is important to understand the degree of intra-specific differentiation (e.g. phenotypic, ecological, genetic) that can be the result of rather recent (anthropogenic) or ancient evolutionary processes (barriers, landscape). The aim of this project is to understand the population structure of different lemur species across their distribution in view of drastic anthropogenic disturbances. Ancient and recent processes of genetic differentiation shall be identified in order to develop effective conservation measures. With this analysis, we will gain important insights into the evolutionarily significant units as well as and the management units of these threatened primates that will be needed to formulate long-term management plans.

Results:

e.g.

Phelps, L.N.; Razanatsoa, E.; Davis, D.S.; Hackel, J.; Rasolondrainy, T.; Tiley, G.P.; Cox, R.; Andermann, T.; Andriambololonera, S.; Andriamiarisoa, L.R.; Antonelli, A.; Burney, D.; Besnard, G.; Birkinshaw, C.; Bond, W.; Chikhi, L.; Fernández-García, V.; Gillson, L.; Godfrey, L.; Haberle, S.; Hansford, J.; Hempson, G.; Hixon, S.; Joseph, G.S.; Mangut, C.L.; Marchant, R.; Montade, V.; Pham, K.V.; Rabehevitra, D.; Radespiel, U.; Raharimampionona, J.; Rajaonah, M.T.; Rakotomalala, N.; Ramiadantsoa, T.; Ramiandrisoa, B.A.; Ranarijaona, H.L.T.; Randriamboavonjy, T.; Randrianarimanana, F.; Randriatsara, F.; Ratsirarson, J.; Razafimanantsoa, A.H.I.; Salmona, J.; Samonds, K.; Scroxton, N.; Seymour, C.; Steffens, T.; Teixeira, H.; Voarintsoa, N.R.G.; Waeber, P.O.; Wilmé, L.; Yoder, A.D.; Convery Fisher, E.; Solofondranohatra, C.; van Elst, T.; Crowley, B.; Douglass, K.; Vorontsova, M.S.; Lehmann, C. (2025). Advancing transdisciplinary research on Madagascar’s grassy biomes to support resilience in ecosystems and livelihoods. Ecological Monographs, 95:e70011. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecm.70011

 

Everson, K.M.; Pozzi, L.; Barrett, M.A.; Blair, M.E.; Donohue, M.E.; Kappeler, P.M.; Kitchener, A.C.; Lemmon, A.R.; Lemmon, E.M.; Pavón-Vásquez, C.J.; Radespiel, U.; Randrianambinina, B.; Rasoloarison, R.M.; Rasoloharijaona, S.; Roos, C.; Salmona, J.; Yoder, A.D.; Zenil-Ferguson, R.; Zinner, D.; Weisrock, D.W. (2025): Multiple bursts of speciation in Madagascar’s endangered lemurs. Nat. Commun., 16:7070. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62310-y.

 

Van Elst, T.; Sgarlata, G.M.; Schüßler, D.; Tiley, G.P.; Poelstra, J.W.; Scheumann, M.; Blanco, M.B.; Aleixo-Pais, I.G.; Evasoa, M.R.; Ganzhorn, J.U.; Goodman, S.M.; Hasiniaina, H.F.; Hohenlohe, P.A.; Ibouroi, M.T.; Iribar-Poluzuelo, A.; Jan, F.; Kappeler, P.M.; Le Pors, B.; Manzi, S.; Olivieri, G.; Rakotonanahary, A.N.; Rakotondranary, S.J.; Rakotondravony, R.; Ranaivoarisoa, J.F.; Randrianambinina, B.; Rasoloarison, R.M.; Rasoloharijaona, S.; Rasolondraibe, E.; Teixeira, H.; Zaonarivelo, J.R.; Louis, E.E. Jr.; Yoder, A.D.; Chikhi, L.; Radespiel, U.; Salmona, J. (2025): Integrative taxonomy clarifies the evolution of a cryptic primate clade. Nature Ecol. Evol., 9, 57-72. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02547-w

 

Schüßler, D., Rafmantanantsoa, S.M.; Ratsimbazafy, J.H.; Richter, T.; Radespiel, U. (2023): Documentation of commercial and subsistence hunting of Critically Endangered Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs (Varecia variegata) in northeastern Madagascar. Biodiversity and Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-023-02744-2.

 

Ramilison, M.L.; Andriatsitohaina, B.; Chell, C.; Rakotondravony, R.; Radespiel, U.; Ramsay, M.S. (2021): Distribution of the critically endangered Coquerel’s Sifaka (Propithecus coquereli) in a fragmented landscape. Afr. J. of Ecology 59, 350-358. Doi:10.1111/aje.12844.

Cooperation Partners:

Tobias van Elst, PhD, Universität Zürich, Schweiz

Dr. Dominik Schüßler, Universität Hildesheim

Prof. B. Randrianambinina, University of Mahajanga, Madagaskar

Dr. R. Rakotondravony, University of Mahajanga, Madagaskar

Prof. S. Rasoloharijaona, University of Mahajanga, Madagaskar

Dr. L. Chikhi, Universität Toulouse, Frankreich

Prof. M.W. Bruford, Cardiff University, UK

Dr. D. Rakotondravony, University of Antananarivo, Madagaskar

Dr. F. Ratsoavina, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar

Prof. J. Ratsimbazafy, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar

Groupe d'Étude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar, Madagaskar

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.; Andriambeloson,J.B.; Atsalis, S.; Behrendt, L.M.; Blanco, M.B.; Bollen, A.; Carrière, S.M.; Chikhi, L.; Dammhahn, M.; Donati, F.; Eppley, T.M.; Ernest, R.; Giertz, P.; Goodman, S.M.; Hending, D.; Holst, F.; Irwin, M.T.; Lahann, P.; Louis Jr., E.E.; Radespiel, U.; Rakotondranary, S.F.; Ramanamanjato, J.-B.; Ramananjato, V.; Randriatafika, F.; Ratovonamana, Y.R.; Razafindratsima, O.; Roberts, S.-H.; Salmona, J.; Schwab, D.; Tsagnangara, C. (2024): Facilitated Forest Restoration by Pioneer Seed Dispersers in Madagascar: the Example of Microcebus spp. Land, 13:1971. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13121971

 

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)

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), Dr. Hanta Razafindraibe, Université de Antananarivo, Madagascar

Alida Hasinianina, PhD, Madagascar

Mamy R. Evasoa, PhD, University of Mahajanga, Madagascar

Dr. L. Chikhi, Toulouse University, France

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