A vertebrate's eye view on habitat loss and fragmentation across time and space in Madagascar

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Reassessing the Evolutionary History of the 17q21 Inversion Polymorphism

Publication . Alves, Joao M.; Lima, Ana C.; Pais, Isa A.; Amir, Nadir; Celestino, Ricardo; Piras, Giovanna; Monne, Maria; Comas, David; Heutink, Peter; Chikhi, Lounès; Amorim, António; Lopes, Alexandra M.

A polymorphic inversion that lies on chromosome 17q21 comprises two major haplotype families (H1 and H2) that not only differ in orientation but also in copy-number. Although the processes driving the spread of the inversion-associated lineage (H2) in humans remain unclear, a selective advantage has been proposed for one of its subtypes. Here, we genotyped a large panel of individuals from previously overlooked populations using a custom array with a unique panel of H2-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms and found a patchy distribution of H2 haplotypes in Africa, with North Africans displaying a higher frequency of inverted subtypes, when compared with Sub-Saharan groups. Interestingly, North African H2s were found to be closer to "non-African" chromosomes further supporting that these populations may have diverged more recently from groups outside Africa. Our results uncovered higher diversity within the H2 family than previously described, weakening the hypothesis of a strong selective sweep on all inverted chromosomes and suggesting a rather complex evolutionary history at this locus.

2015-11-11Journal article

Open access

The value of the spineless monkey orange tree (Strychnos madagascariensis) for conservation of northern sportive lemurs (Lepilemur milanoii and L. ankaranensis)

Publication . Salmona, J; Banks, M; Ralantoharijaona, TN; Rasolondraibe, E; Zaranaina, R; Rakotonanahary, A; Wohlhauser, S; Sewall, BJ; Chikhi, L

Tree hollows provide shelters for a large number of forest-dependent vertebrate species worldwide. In Madagascar, where high historical and ongoing rates of deforestation and forest degradation are responsible for a major environmental crisis, reduced availability of tree hollows may lead to declines in hollow-dwelling species such as sportive lemurs, one of the most species-rich groups of lemurs. The identification of native tree species used by hollow-dwelling lemurs may facilitate targeted management interventions to maintain or improve habitat quality for these lemurs. During an extensive survey of sportive lemurs in northern Madagascar, we identified one tree species, Strychnos madagascariensis (Loganiaceae), the spineless monkey orange tree, as a principal sleeping site of two species of northern sportive lemurs, Lepilemur ankaranensis and L. milanoii (Lepilemuridae). This tree species represented 32.5% (n=1 50) of the 458 sleeping sites recorded. This result suggests that S. madagascariensis may be valuable for the conservation of hollow-dwelling lemurs.

2015-09-16Journal article

Open access

Extensive survey of the Endangered Coquerel’s sifaka Propithecus coquereli

Publication . Salmona, J; Jan, F; Rasolondraibe, E; Besolo, A; Ousseni, DS; Beck, A; Zaranaina, R; Rakotoarisoa, H; Rabarivola, CJ; Chikhi, L

Coquerel’s sifaka Propithecus coquereli has a large but highly fragmented distribution. Despite its Endangered (EN) IUCN conservation status, uncertainties persist regarding its actual distribution and its presence in forests that are thought to be part of its distribution range. We provide here the first extensive population surveys of Coquerel’s sifaka across a large number of forest fragments neighboring 27 sites of its known and expected distribution range in northwestern Madagascar, including 12 previously visited sites. During our diurnal surveys carried out in the dry seasons from 2009 to 2011 we observed the species in 26 of the 27 visited sites. Combining our results with previously published data, we propose a refined update of the species’ distribution range and identify areas to be surveyed. We also recorded the support tree species on which sifakas were observed, and note that, surprisingly, P. coquereli was frequently seen around villages and in areas dominated by introduced tree species. Although the species was present at almost all the visited sites of its highly fragmented distribution range, it remains unclear how viable the populations of a significant proportion of these sites actually are. Due to political instability and high rates of deforestation, large-scale conservation actions are urgently needed. We thus (1) discuss the outline of a possible metapopulation conservation action plan for P. coquereli and (2) identify priority sites and actions.

2014-10-08Journal article

Open access

New density estimates of a threatened sifaka species (Propithecus coquereli) in Ankarafantsika National Park

Publication . Kun-Rodrigues, Célia; Salmona, Jordi; Besolo, Aubin; Rasolondraibe, Emmanuel; Rabarivola, Clément; Marques, Tiago A.; Chikhi, Lounès

Propithecus coquereli is one of the last sifaka species for which no reliable and extensive density estimates are yet available. Despite its endangered conservation status [IUCN, 2012] and recognition as a flagship species of the northwestern dry forests of Madagascar, its population in its last main refugium, the Ankarafantsika National Park (ANP), is still poorly known. Using line transect distance sampling surveys we estimated population density and abundance in the ANP. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of road, forest edge, river proximity and group size on sighting frequencies, and density estimates. We provide here the first population density estimates throughout the ANP. We found that density varied greatly among surveyed sites (from 5 to ∼100 ind/km2) which could result from significant (negative) effects of road, and forest edge, and/or a (positive) effect of river proximity. Our results also suggest that the population size may be ∼47,000 individuals in the ANP, hinting that the population likely underwent a strong decline in some parts of the Park in recent decades, possibly caused by habitat loss from fires and charcoal production and by poaching. We suggest community-based conservation actions for the largest remaining population of Coquerel's sifaka which will (i) maintain forest connectivity; (ii) implement alternatives to deforestation through charcoal production, logging, and grass fires; (iii) reduce poaching; and (iv) enable long-term monitoring of the population in collaboration with local authorities and researchers.

2014Journal article

Open access

Daraina sportive lemur (Lepilemur milanoii) density and population size estimates in most of its distribution range: the Loky-Manambato region.

Publication . Salmona, J.; Ralantoharijaona, T.; Thani, I.M.; Rakotonanahary, A.; Zaranaina, R.; Jan, F.; Rasolondraibe, E.; Barnavon, M.; Beck, A.; Wholhauser, S.; Ranirison, P.; Zaonarivelo, J.R.; Rabarivola, C.; Chikhi, L.

The population of the Daraina sportive lemur (Lepilemur milanoii) is believed to be mostly confined to the Loky-Manambato region (Louis et al., 2006). Very little is known about L. milanoii and it is classified as “Data Deficient” by the IUCN (IUCN, 2013; Schwitzer et al., 2013). Despite the management of the area by the NGO Fanamby since 2005, no study had been conducted to determine the presence and the abundance of L. milanoii in the main forest fragments of the region. During the 2011 dry season we surveyed the ten main forest fragments of the Loky-Manambato region and estimated L. milanoii densities and population sizes using line transect distance sampling (Buckland, 2001) and the DISTANCE software (Thomas et al., 2010). The results suggest that sportive lemur densities are reasonably high in the region, but with important discrepancies between forest fragments, with densities ranging from 49.8 ind./km² in Antsaharaingy to 590.5 ind./km² in Ampondrabe. For the region Loky-Manambato we were able to estimate a population size of 52,000 individuals. This is the first estimate for the total population size and we argue that similar studies should be repeated to monitor environmental changes and anthropogenic pressures (hunting, deforestation, mining, etc.).

2014Journal article

Open access