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&i;Lemurs: Ecology and Adaptation&o; brings together information from recent research, and provides new insight into the study of lemur origins, and the ecology and adaptation of both extant and recently extinct lemurs. In addition, it addresses issues of primate behavioral ecology and how environment can play a major role in explaining species variation. Moreover, in a larger context, the information contained in this volume expands our knowledge of primate ecology and allows us further insight into mammalian adaptations to unusual and often harsh environmental conditions that arise from both natural and anthropogenic factors.
The book is divided into two sections. The first section is a background to lemurs and their ecology and it includes chapters on origins of lemurs, history of ecological studies on lemurs in Madagascar, theories relating to the evolution of lemur traits, and ecology of the recently extinct (sub-fossil) lemurs. Section two is comprised of chapters focusing on the ecology and adaptations of many species of extant lemurs to the diverse habitats found on Madagascar, and in some cases, adaptations to extreme climatic variability and natural disasters.
Preface.- Origins of Lemurs.- History of Lemur Ecological Studies.- Climate, Evolution of Traits, Effect of Environmental Pressures on Lemur Ecology Today.- Ecology and Diet of Sub-Fossil Lemur Species and Reasons for Extinction.- The Impact of Ecology on the Dental Adaptations of Extant Lemurids.- Lemur catta: Adaptation of a Lemur Species to a Markedly Arid Habitat.- Ecology and Sub-Speciation of Eulemur fulvus, the Most Widespread Diurnal Species of Lemur.- The Red-Bellied Lemur: Ecology of a Pair-Bonded Rainforest Species.- An Example of Sympatry and Polyspecific Associations in Lemurs: E. coronatus and E.f. sanfordii in Northern Madagascar.- E. mongoz and Cathemerality: Adaptation to a Seasonal Enviornment.- The Sifakas: Adaptations of a Widespread genus (Propithecus).- Propithecus verreauxi: Ecology and Adaptations of the White Sifaka to a Dry Habitat Covering a Large Geographic Area.- The Indri: Ecology of a Large Rainforest Lemur.- Hapalemur: The Only Primates who are Bamboo Specialists.- Varecia: Adaptations of the Ruffed Lumur to a Very Wet Habitat and Frequent Cyclones.- Lipilemur and Avahi: Evolution of Small-Bodies Nocturnal Primates to Folivory.- Cheirogaleus: Hibernation and Fat Storage in the Dwarf Lemur as a Strategy to Cope with Marked Seasonality.- Microcebus (the Mouse Lemurs): The Ecology, Adaptations, and Distribution of the Smallest Primate Genera.- Ecology and Adaptations of Mirz and Phaner.- Index.
From the reviews: "Gould and Sauther provide a broad update on a variety of lemurs ! . Gould and Sauther's volume is organized into 4 sections. ! I appreciated that most chapters go beyond social behavior and ecology to integrate a wide range of phylogenetic, physiological and morphological data to the question of lemur adaptations. ! are excellent resources as overviews and introductions to their topics. Persons who work on any lemur taxon will want to own Lemurs, Ecology and Adaptation ! ." (Leanne T. Nash, International Journal of Primatology, Vol. 28, 2007) "Lemurs: Ecology and Adaptation, edited by Lisa Gould and Michelle Sauther, represents a compilation of 20 chapters by 29 contributors who have conducted field work in Madagascar. ! The book is divided into four sections covering lemur origins and ecology, the evolution of lemur traits, ecology and adaptation, and lemur adaptations to changing environments. ! I heartily recommend this up-to-date volume to any professional behavioral ecologist or graduate student interested in the primates of Madagascar." (Diane K. Brockman, Journal of Mammalian Evolution, Vol. 15, 2008) "Lemurs: Ecology and Adaptation sets out to provide a single source of information from a wealth of lemur research collected during the last fifteen years. ! Serious lemur researchers will find this book to be a useful and informative resource, whilst students will find it to be a good introduction to -- and overview of -- lemur studies." (Kara Moses, Primate Eye, February, 2009)
