The food habits of the barn owl tyto alba at three sites on madagascar
TL;DR: Regurgitated food remains of the Barn Owl Tyro alba were collected within the rain forest of the Eastern Region of Madagascar and in the sub-arid thorn scrub of the Western Region (Beza Mahafaly).
Abstract: Summary Goodman, S. M., Langrand, O. & Raxworthy, C. J. 1993. The food habits of the Barn Owl Tyro alba at three sites on Madagascar. Ostrich 64:160-171. Regurgitated food remains of the Barn Owl Tyro alba were collected within the rain forest of the Eastern Region of Madagascar (Andasibe and Manombo) and in the sub-arid thorn scrub of the Western Region (Beza Mahafaly). The material from Andasibe and Manombo represent sine point samples, while 24 samples were collected from Beza Mahafaly between November 1990 and November 1991. A minimum or 176 individual vertebrates, representing 18 taxa, was identified from the Andasibe sample, and a minimum of 90 individual vertebrates of 5 taxa from the Manombo sample. The Beza Mahafaly samples included a minimum of 1013 individual vertebrates of 22 taxa. At all three sites introduced rodents made up the bulk of the prey by number and by biomass, but at Beza Mahafaly lemurs and amphibia were also significant prey items. Insects constituted a small proportion of the p...
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TL;DR: It is shown that the diverse ecoregions of Madagascar share one distinctive climatic feature: unpredictable intra- or interannual precipitation compared with other regions with comparable rainfall.
Abstract: We show that the diverse ecoregions of Madagascar share one distinctive climatic feature: unpredictable intra- or interannual precipitation compared with other regions with comparable rainfall. Climatic unpredictability is associated with unpredictable patterns of fruiting and flowering. It is argued that these features have shaped the evolution of distinctive characteristics in the mammalian fauna of the island. Endemic Herpestidae and Tenrecidae and members of five endemic primate families differ from closely related species elsewhere, exhibiting extremes of “fastness” and “slowness” in their life histories. Climatic features may also account for the dearth of frugivorous birds and mammals in Madagascar, and for the evolutionary prevalence of species with large body mass.
309 citations
01 Jan 1996
TL;DR: New Perspectives on the Pithecines (Pithecia, Cacajao, Chiropotes, Callicebus, Aotus) and the Evolution of Positional Behavior in the Saki-Uakaris S.L. Rosenberger.
Abstract: Problems of Platyrhine Taxonomy and Distribution. Molecules, Morphology and Platyrrhine Systematics H. Schneider, A.L. Rosenberger. Primates of the Atlantic Forest: Origin, Distributions, Endemism and Communities A. Rylands, et al. Evolutionary Perspectives on the Marmosets and Tamarins (Saguinus, Callithrix, Cebuella, Leontopithecus, Callimico). P.A Garber, A.L. Rosenberger. The Other Side of Callitrichid Gummivory: Digestibility and Nutritional Value M.L. Power. Locomotion of Golden Lion Tamarins (Leontopithecus Rosalia): The Effects of Foraging Adaptations and Substrate Characteristics on Locomotor Behavior B. Stafford, et al. Update on Cebine Evolution (Cebus, Saimiri). L. Fedigan, et al. Species Definition and Differentiation as Seen in the Postcranial Skeleton of Cebus S. Ford, D.M. Hobbs. New Perspectives on the Pithecines (Pithecia, Cacajao, Chiropotes, Callicebus, Aotus). A.L. Rosenberger, M.A. Norconk. The Evolution of Positional Behavior in the Saki-Uakaris (Pithecia, Chiropotes, and Cacajao) S.E. Walker. Rethinking Ateline Evolution (Alouatta, Ateles, Brachyteles, Lagothrix). W.C. Hartwig, et al. Dental Microwear and Diet in a Wild Population of Mantled Howling Monkeys (Alouatta palliata) M. Teaford, K. Glander. 21 Additional Articles. Index.
287 citations
TL;DR: Seven species of Microcebus from western Madagascar are recognized, including a previously synonymized species, and 3 spp.
Abstract: The genus Microcebus (mouse lemurs) are the smallest extant primates. Until recently, they were considered to comprise two different species: Microcebus murinus, confined largely to dry forests on the western portion of Madagascar, and M. rufus, occurring in humid forest formations of eastern Madagascar. Specimens and recent field observations document rufous individuals in the west. However, the current taxonomy is entangled due to a lack of comparative material to quantify intrapopulation and intraspecific morphological variation. On the basis of recently collected specimens of Microcebus from 12 localities in portions of western Madagascar, from Ankarana in the north to Beza Mahafaly in the south, we present a revision using external, cranial, and dental characters. We recognize seven species of Microcebus from western Madagascar. We name and describe 3 spp., resurrect a previously synonymized species, and amend diagnoses for Microcebus murinus (J. F. Miller, 1777), M. myoxinus Peters, 1852, and M. ravelobensis Zimmermann et al., 1998.
195 citations
Cites background from "The food habits of the barn owl tyt..."
...The Ihazoara Valley and Beza Mahafaly have been the sites of studies on the food habitats of two different species of owls, Tyto alba and Asio madagascariensis, both of which feed extensively on Microcebus (Goodman et al., 1993a, 1993b)....
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TL;DR: Support is provided for the importance of the MHC constitution in post-copulatory mate choice in non-human primates in a wild population of a promiscuous primate, the grey mouse lemur.
Abstract: The mechanisms and temporal aspects of mate choice according to genetic constitution are still puzzling. Recent studies indicate that fitness is positively related to diversity in immune genes (MHC...
153 citations
Cites background from "The food habits of the barn owl tyt..."
...Moreover, due to the highly male-biased operational sex ratio and the fact that mouse lemurs are faced with a very high risk of mortality (Goodman et al. 1993; Rasoloarison et al. 1995; M. Eberle 1995–2005, unpublished data), males may have only a few options to mate at all during their life....
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed ten years of behavioral data on Milne-Edwards' sifakas in the rain forest of Madagascar and found that the lemur diadema edwardsi responds to aerial predators by giving loud alarms calls with responsive avoidance behavior, and by choosing daytime rest sites lower than feeding sites.
Abstract: The main predators on large-bodied primates in rain forest are birds of prey and mammalian carnivores, which may require distinct strategies by prey for successful detection and defense. In the three dimensional rain forest environment with diminishing light at lower levels, downward visibility is difficult, and keen eyesight may not be as effective for detecting in-forest predators as soaring ones. It is therefore predicted that cryptic behaviours, where the problems of detection are shifted to the predator, may be used in these conditions. In Madagascar there is debate on whether extant eagles are a threat to the largest primate species, while there is mounting evidence that a mammalian carnivore, the fossa, impacts heavily on lemur populations. In a new approach to understanding the differential impact of raptor and carnivore hunting styles on lemur anti-predator behaviours, I analyzed ten years of behavioural data on Milne-Edwards' sifakas in the rain forest of Madagascar. I show that Propithecus diadema edwardsi responds to aerial predators by giving loud alarms calls with responsive avoidance behaviour, and by choosing daytime rest sites lower than feeding sites. In response to the mammal predator, Propithecus gave a distinct ground predator call, used higher nighttime sleep sites than daytime rest sites, and males were in most dangerous spatial positions during travel and feeding. The combination of protective travel order, high sleeping sites and small sleeping parties suggested behaviours against fossa predation. However, the dramatic 'alarm call and drop low in the canopy' response to birds of prey is an indication that avian predators are feared.
90 citations
References
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Book•
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01 Jan 1982
TL;DR: This is the eighth and final volume in the authoritative Birds of Africa series as discussed by the authors, which covers the Malagasy region which comprises Madagascar and the various islands and archipelagos of the Indian Ocean including the Seychelles, the Comoros, Mauritius and Reunion.
Abstract: This is the eighth and final volume in the authoritative Birds of Africa series. It covers the Malagasy region which comprises Madagascar and the various islands and archipelagos of the Indian Ocean including the Seychelles, the Comoros, Mauritius and Reunion. Every resident and migrant species is covered in full detail, comparable to other volumes in the series, and with a colour map for each species. Vagrants are treated in less detail. All species are illustrated on a beautiful series of 64 colour plates, with original artwork from John Gale and Brian Small.This is a major work of reference on the birds of the region and will remain the standard text for many years to come."
1,035 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1990
TL;DR: This book is a guide to the unusual bird life of Madagascar and provides a general introduction to the avifauna, with descriptions of adults and immatures, song, habitat and dietary requirements, nesting habits, and distribution and status.
Abstract: Madagascar, isolated for at least 120 million years and the fourth largest island in the world, is home to a remarkable variety of endemic animals and plants. This book is a guide to the unusual bird life of Madagascar. 40 watercolour illustrations provide clear and easy identification of all the Malagasy birds. Beginning with an overview of the natural habitats of Madagascar, the book then provides a general introduction to the avifauna. The endemic and endangered species are highlighted for each geographical region of the country. 17 prime bird observation sites are described in a section especially helpful to visitors to Madagascar. This section includes information on site accessibility, permit requirements, accommodation, observation facilities, and the species of birds found there. The guide to individual species is the heart of this book. Full information on each bird species is presented - descriptions of adults and immatures, song, habitat and dietary requirements, nesting habits, and distribution and status. The final section includes descriptions of birds not yet reported from Madagascar but likely to occur there, as well as distribution maps of the bird species. This book is a resource for bird enthusiasts and serious naturalists everywhere.
238 citations
01 Jan 1993
TL;DR: The population dynamics of this species is reviewed in light of heavy predation pressure from two owls,particularly the implications of predation on social behavior and life-history traits of this small nocturnal primate.
Abstract: It has been postulated that predation has been an important selective force in molding social behavior in mammals. However, observations of predators taking primates are rare and most cases concern relatively large diurnal primates. For the lemurs of Madagascar little quantified information is available, and it has generally been assumed that predation by carnivores and raptors is rare. Contrary to expectations there is a considerable amount of data on the topic, derived from several different sources, which is presented herein. The most detailed information on lemur predation is for Microcebus murinus. The population dynamics of this species is reviewed in light of heavy predation pressure from two owls (Tyto alba and Asio madagascariensis),particularly the implications of predation on social behavior and life-history traits of this small nocturnal primate.
177 citations