Sifaka

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Sifakas[1]
Diademed Sifaka (Propithecus diadema)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Family: Indriidae
Genus: Propithecus
Bennett, 1832
Type species
Propithecus diadema
Bennett, 1832
Species
  • Propithecus diadema
  • Propithecus candidus
  • Propithecus coquereli
  • Propithecus coronatus
  • Propithecus deckenii
  • Propithecus edwardsi
  • Propithecus perrieri
  • Propithecus tattersalli
  • Propithecus verreauxi
Synonyms
  • Macromerus A. Smith, 1833

Sifakas (singular "sifaka"; i/ʃɪˈfɑːk/; Malagasy pronunciation: [ˈsifakə̥] ( listen)) are a genus (Propithecus) of lemur from the family Indriidae within the order Primates. Their name of the family is an onomatopoeia of their characteristic "shi-fak" alarm call.[citation needed] Like all lemurs, they are found only on the island of Madagascar. All species of sifakas are threatened, ranging from vulnerable to critically endangered.[2]

Sifakas are medium sized indrids with a head and body length of 40 to 55 centimetres (16 to 22 in) and a weight of 3 to 6 kilograms (6.6 to 13.2 lb). Their tail is just as long as their body, which differentiates them from the Indri. Their fur is long and silky, with coloration varying by species from yellowish-white to black brown. The round, hairless face is always black. As with all lemurs, the sifaka has special adaptations for grooming, including a toilet-claw on its second toe and a toothcomb.[citation needed]

Sifakas move by vertical clinging and leaping, meaning they maintain an upright position leaping from tree trunk to tree trunk and moving along branches. They are skillful climbers and powerful jumpers, able to make leaps of up to 10 m (32.8 ft) from one tree to the next. On the ground they move like all indrids with bipedal sideways hopping movements of the hind legs, holding their forelimbs up for balance.[3] Sifakas are diurnal and arboreal.[citation needed]

Sifakas are herbivores, eating leaves, flowers and fruits. When not searching for food they spend a good part of the day sun bathing, stretched on the branches. Sifakas live in larger groups than the other indrids (up to 13 animals). They have a firm territory, which they mark with scent glands. Edges of different sifaka territories can overlap. Even though they defend their territory from invasion by others of their species, they may peacefully co-exist with other lemur species such as Red-bellied Lemur and the Common Brown Lemur. Successful invasions are known to result in death of male members, group takeover and infanticide.[4]

Sifaka skeleton on exhibit at The Museum of Osteology, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

A four to five month gestation period ends with the birth of a single offspring in July. The young holds fast to the mother's belly when small, but then later is carried on her back. Young are weaned after about six months and reach full maturity at the age of two to three years. The life expectancy of the sifakas is up to 18 years.[citation needed]

Sifakas hop side-to-side when moving on the ground.


Classification

  • Family Indriidae: woolly lemurs and allies
    • Genus Indri
    • Genus Avahi
    • Genus Propithecus[5]
      • P. diadema group
        • Diademed Sifaka, Propithecus diadema
        • Milne-Edwards' Sifaka, Propithecus edwardsi
        • Silky Sifaka, Propithecus candidus
        • Perrier's Sifaka, Propithecus perrieri
      • P. verreauxi group
        • Coquerel's Sifaka, Propithecus coquereli
        • Verreaux's Sifaka, Propithecus verreauxi
        • Von der Decken's Sifaka, Propithecus deckenii
        • Crowned Sifaka, Propithecus coronatus
        • Golden-crowned Sifaka, Propithecus tattersalli

  • P. coquereli

  • P. diadema

  • P. candidus

  • P. edwardsi

References

  1. ↑ Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M, eds. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 120–121. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. 
  2. ↑ "Mammals – full taxonomy and Red List status". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2011-04-04. 
  3. ↑ "Coquerel's Sifaka". Duke University Lemur Center. Retrieved 2009-06-15. 
  4. ↑ Brockman, D. K.; Cobden, A. K.; Whitten, P. L. (2009). "Birth season glucocorticoids are related to the presence of infants in sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi)". Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 276 (1663): 1855. doi:10.1098/rspb.2008.1912. 
  5. ↑ Groves, C.P.; Helgen, K.M. (2007). "Craniodental characters in the taxonomy of Propithecus" (PDF). International Journal of Primatology 28 (6): 1363–1383. doi:10.1007/s10764-007-9226-5. 

External links

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