Golden-crowned sifaka

Golden-crowned sifaka

The golden-crowned sifaka was discovered in 1974 by Ian Tattersall. It lives in gallery, deciduous, and semi-evergreen forest in northeast Madagascar. Its restricted range includes 44 forest fragments, totaling an area of 44,125 hectares. Its estimated population is 18,000 individuals, and it is listed by the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered. Attempts have been made to keep it in captivity at the Duke Lemur Center in Durham, North Carolina.

About Golden-crowned sifaka in brief

Summary Golden-crowned sifakaThe golden-crowned sifaka was discovered in 1974 by Ian Tattersall. It is one of the smallest sifakas, weighing around 3. 5kg and measuring approximately 90 cm from head to tail. It lives in gallery, deciduous, and semi-evergreen forest in northeast Madagascar. Its restricted range includes 44 forest fragments, totaling an area of 44,125 hectares. Its estimated population is 18,000 individuals, and it is listed by the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered. Attempts have been made to keep it in captivity at the Duke Lemur Center in Durham, North Carolina. In Madagascar, lawlessness resulting from the 2009 political coup led to increased poaching of this species, and many were sold to local restaurants as a delicacy. There have been conflicting studies regarding the taxonomic status of the golden-Crowned sifaka. The golden crowning s ifaka has 42 chromosomes, which are sub-metric pairs that are that are either autosomes or meta-metrosomes. It has been found to be more similar to the eastern forest s ifaka that it is smaller in length and weight that the western forest sifAKas. Its karyotype suggests a closer relationship with the P. diadema group of eastern forest s IFakas. It sleeps in tall emergent trees and is preyed upon by the fossa. Scent is used to mark territories, which is defended by growling, chasing, and ritualistic leaping displays.

Reproduction is seasonal, with gestation lasting six months and lactation lasting five months. Infants are weaned during the wet season to ensure the best chances of survival. Its range was originally not covered by any national parks or protected areas in Madagascar, but a new protected area was established in 2005 to include a 20,000 ha portion. It was formally described in 1988, after a research team led by Elwyn L. Simons obtained permits to capture specimens for a captive breeding program. The specimens were 6 to 7km northeast of Daraina, a village in the northeast corner of Madagascar. In terms of size, general morphology, vocalizations, and karyotypes, it is similar to other sifas in terms of general size, morphology, and vocalizations. It is a vertical clinger and leaper, and its diet includes mostly seeds and leaves. It lives in groups of around five to six individuals, containing a balanced number of adult males and females. Its karyotype is more similar that that of the eastern forest sIFakas. It is primarily active during the day, although it also tends to be active at dawn and dusk during the rainy season. The golden-c Crowned Sifaka has a golden-orange crown patch and tufted ears, and is known locally as ankomba malandy.