Non-invasive conservation genetics of the golden-crowned sifaka (Propithecus tattersalli)

In January 2009 Conservation Genetics published an article titled Non-invasive conservation genetics of the critically endangered golden-crowned sifaka (Propithecus tattersalli): high diversity and significant genetic differentiation over a small range  on a study led by French researcher Erwan Quéméré. Tatterall's sifaka, or the golden-crowned sifaka, is a critically endangered species of lemur found in the Daraina region of Madagascar. The only behavioral study published on P. tattersalli (Meyers 1993; see Vargas 2002) found that the lemurs live in social groups of 3-10 individuals in a territories 9-10 hectares large. Quéméré et al. undertook the study in response to conservation concerns that human deforestation, gold mining initiatives and the paving of a national road could bring significant ecological changes to the region. The study had four goals: (a) to identify genetically differentiated populations, (b) to determine diversity of P. tattersalli populations, to discuss resistance of the populations against forest fragmentation and (d) to identify specific conservation methods. 

Quéméré et al. sampled feces from 82 individuals over a period of three months during the summer of 2006. The DNA samples were then genotyped at 13 microsatellite loci to determine levels of diversity among the three areas of forrest fragmentation. The study found that a high level of genetic diversity in P. tattersalli populations despite high levels of habitat defragmentation and a narrow population distribution. Results indicate the P. tattersalli groups are able to successfully use small forest patches between the three larger forest fragments to migrate, in spite of the national road. In conclusion the authors stress a greater need to maintain such corridors and forest patches between forest fragments, in addition to the need of research teams to explore genetic diversity outside of the three observed zones of forest fragmentation. 

BBC eDocumentary on the Slow Loris

In January 2012 BBC Natural World released an eDocumentary titled Jungle Gremlins of Java in response to the YouTube video The Cutest Slow Loris Ever!!!!! that went viral months earlier. All five loris species are currently listed by the IUNC Red List as "Endangered" or "Vulnerable" and comments left on the youtube video such as "sooooo cute!!! where can I get one?" demonstrate the increasing threat of the illegal trade, along with habitat loss, to all species' extinction.

The hour length documentary features beautiful cinematography and chronicle the adventures of researcher Anna Nekaris, who believes the Slow Loris to be her "spirit animal." Nekaris and BBC have constructed a very informative piece, meant to deter those who want to illegally buy a Slow Loris for a pet. At certain points the exaggerated musical arrangements and the narrator's dramatic portrayal of the Slow Loris as a "Jackle and Hyde" of the forest are a bit laughable. However, on the whole I felt that the video is informative and provocative to potential viewers who know nothing about the ecology, behavior or conservation of Loris populations. The BBC eDocumentary has even inspired a rapping sock monkey Slow Loris video called The Slow Loris--Jungle Poet! The video contains such sensational lyrics as: "It's with regret / that you would get / a loris pet / this trade is illegal / so get a gerbil!" For optimal viewing pleasure, I highly recommend watching all three videos (Cute Slow Loris, Documentary, Rap) in succession!

Unhealthy travelers present challenges to sustainable primate ecotourism

This article, whose lead author is Mike Muehlenbein, details a survey of visitors to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sabah, Malaysia. The survey's goal was to illuminate the amount and type of illnesses carried by human visitors to the Centre, and to stress the threat of human-borne illnesses on great ape conservation. 15% of the visitors reported current cold symptoms. The article ends with several suggestions for minimizing the transmission of diseases from visitors to the animals and park personell.

Frugivory in four sympatric lemurs: implications for the future of Madagascar's forests

"Although some conservationists accept that not all species can be saved, we illustrate the difficulty in deciding which species are dispensable. In this article, we examine the possibility that the integrity of a forest relies on its entire faunal assemblage...Analyses reveal that while lemurs overlap in a number of fruit taxa exploited, 46% (16/35) of families and 56% (29/52) of genera are eaten exclusively by one lemur species. We, therefore, predict local changes in forest composition and structure if certain of these lemur species are eliminated from a forest owing to hunting, disease, or habitat disturbance."

(...plus, my focal animal, Yellow-Blue, made it on the cover!)

Save the behavioral ecologists

recent Caro & Sherman review in TREE: Endangered species and a threatened discipline: behavioural ecology

"Behavioural ecologists often see little connection between the current conservation crisis and the future of their discipline. This view is myopic because our abilities to investigate and interpret the adaptive significance and evolutionary histories of behaviours are increasingly being compromised in human-dominated landscapes because of species extinctions, habitat destruction, invasive species, pollution, and climate change."

. . . not genetics but important to everyone that studies primates :)

Rain forests may actually have value. what a surprise.