TAXONOMIC AND CONSERVATION STATUS OF
LEMUR CATTA FROM THE ANDRINGITRA MASSIF


Recent explorations conducted by Dr. Steve Goodman and M. Soava RAKOTOARISOA of the Andringitra Massif in Madagascar have revealed the presence of a potentially isolated population of the ring-tailed lemur, Lemur catta. Due to the extreme environment in which these animals are found, and to their distinct pelage, the question has been raised as to whether they might represent a new subspecies or even species of the genus Lemur. As a first step towards clarifying the relationship of the Andringtra population to the typical lowland L. catta populations, we have employed both phylogenetic and phenetic techniques in the analysis of two mitochondrial data sets. The phenetic comparison of complete cytochrome b sequences from two Andringitra individuals and two representatives of lowland L. catta populations reveals that genetic divergence between the two groups is far lower than for known subspecies or species comparisons within the primates. Sequences drawn from the much more rapidly evolving D-loop (HV1) region, however, suggest that initial genetic differentiation is in progress between the two populations. Together, the results imply that although the Andringitra population should not as yet be considered taxonomically distinct from the lowland populations, evolutionary divergence is underway. An immediate concern is that migratory corridors that have historically connected the two populations may have been disturbed by human activities. Thus, the Andringitra population may illustrate an incipient human-induced vicariant speciation.

Photograph by Olivier Langrand: Lemur catta (Andringitra)



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