Diadem Sifaka

Foto informatie

Auteursrechten: James Parker (Jamesp)

(17866)

Genre: Animals

Medium: Kleur

Datum Opname: 2005-03-24

Categorieën: Mammals

Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds MkII, Canon 70-200 f 2.8 L USM

Belichting: f/4, 1/125 Seconden

More Photo Info: [view]

Fotoversie: Originele versie

Datum inzending: 2008-08-30 9:44

Gezien: 2570

Punten: 56

[Richtlijnen voor opmerkingen] Opmerking van de fotograaf

Todays' posting is of a rather unusual lemur - it is not usually seen in zoos as it requires larger ranges than most that are displayed.

The Diademed Sifaka (Propithecus diadema) is an endangered species of sifaka, one of the lemurs endemic to certain rainforests in eastern Madagascar. This species is one of the world's largest living lemurs, with a total adult length of approximately 105 centimetres (41 inches), half of which is tail. Russell Mittermeier, one of the contemporary authorities on lemurs, describes the Diademed Sifaka as "one of the most colorful and attractive of all the lemurs", having a long and silky coat. Like all other prosimians, this species has evolved independently of other primates for about 55 million years (Madagascar separated from the African continent about 90 million years ago.) P. diadema is also known by the Malagasy names Simpona, Simpony and Ankomba Joby. The term "Diademed Sifaka" is also used as a group species designation encompassing four distinct subspecies.
P. diadema is readily distinguished from all the other lemur species (which number in excess of 70 as of 2006) by its characteristic markings and large physical size. Its entire coat is moderately long, silky and luxuriant. The long white fur encircling his muzzle and covering its cheeks, forehead and chin, engenders the "diadem" or crown appearance. Its eyes are a reddish-brown, the muzzle is short, and the face is bare with colourisation of darkish gray to jet black. The crown fur is also quite black and often extends to the nape of the neck. The upper back and shoulder fur are slate grayish, although the lower back is lighter in colour attaining a silvery quality. Flanks and tail are a paler gray, sometimes even white, as is the case for ventral fur. Hands and feet are entirely black, while arms, legs and base of tail are a yellowish-golden hue. Only the male is endowed with a large cutaneous gland at the exterior center of the throat, which feature is typically reddish-brown.

The Diademed Sifaka is one of the mostly widely distributed member of the Propithecus genus, although definitive mapping of its range has not been conducted. Occurrence is at altitudes of 200 to 800 metres (656 to 2624 feet) throughout much of the eastern Madagascar lowland forests and altitudes 800 to 1550 metres (2624 to 5084 feet); in portions of the Madagascar subhumid forests. These two biomes have been designated as a Global 200 ecoregion, one of the world's most significant regions for conservation. Geographically the range extends to at least the Mananara River in the north to the Onive and Mongoro Rivers in the south. One set of researchers has recorded a clinal variation between Propithecus diadema and Propithecus edwardsi in the extreme southern portion of the range. As with all Indriidae, this species and its entire genus have evolved on the island of Madagascar independent of other mainland African species.

An anomalous outlier population of P. diadema has been discovered in south central Madagascar; the members of this population exhibit an array of different colour markings, including at least one observation of an all black lemur. DNA analyses have not resulted in consistent results as to whether this group of individuals should constitute a new species. Scientists have decided to classify this outlier group as P. diadema until further research warrants designation of a separate species.

Specific locations for sighting the Diademed Sifaka are Mantadia National Park (approximately three hours in driving time from the capital city of Antananarivo) and in the forests of Tsinjoarivo.

The Diademed Sifaka forms groups typically of two to ten individuals, which may include multiple male and female adults. Each troop defends an exclusive home territory of 25 to 50 hectares (62 to 125 acres) using perimeter scent territorial marking by both the males and females. Although the Diademed Sifaka defends the group's territory strongly against other members of their same species, it will share territory with other species such as the Red-bellied Lemur and the Common Brown Lemur. P. diadema is thought to traverse the greatest daily path distance relative to other members of its family in its patrolling and foraging, attaining a typical travel distance in excess of 1.6 kilometres (one mile) per day. To accomplish this it consumes a diet high in energy content and diverse in plant content, each day consuming over 25 different vegetative species. This diurnal prosimian further diversifies its diet by consuming not only fruits, but certain flowers, seeds and verdant leaves, in proportions that vary by season.

For a large lemur, the Diademed Sifaka is rather athletic, being capable of lateral aerial propulsion of up to 30 kilometers per hour, a result of muscular leg thrusting action pushing off from a vertical tree trunk] It is possible, although not proven, that its vigorous health characteristics are enhanced from high consumption of two plants which contain high concentrations of alkaloids. This species is arboreal, and only rarely are seen on the ground; moreover, it is a vertical clinger and lateral leaper.

The Diademed Sifaka makes a warning call resembling the sound "kiss-sneeze" when a terrestrial predator is perceived; the sole terrestrial predators of P. diadema are the Fossa and Nile crocodile.

Sexual maturity occurs after age two or three, with the male maturing somewhat more slowly than the female. Little is known of mating behaviour; however, it is believed that the female is receptive only a few days per year. Being dominant, the female has the greatest input to mate selection. Copulation occurs in the summer (around December), and the expected number of births is one offspring per female per annum.

PeterZ, uleko, jaycee, bahadir, nglen, Argus, gracious, eqshannon, jrobertop, boreocypriensis, manyee, Kathleen, rousettus, rcrick, Gert-Paassen, zulfu, albert, cataclysta, gannu, SelenE, Alex99, soccer, elif heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd
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Critiques [Translate]

uleko (4331)
[2008-08-30 9:51]

Hello James,
Excellent view of this beautiful Lemur in its silky coat. I like the way it turns around and the details are very sharp and the colours of its coat lovely. A splendid composition too.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

PeterZ (19888)
[2008-08-30 9:53]

Hello James,
I've seen all kinds of lemurs in Madagascar, but this one I missed. Beautiful photo in great colours and very sharp. Very nice pose. Good DOF.
Kind regards,
Peter

jaycee (23103)
[2008-08-30 9:56]

Hi James,

Needless to say I have never seen this animal before - chances are I never will. So a big thank you for the post. His face and coat are beautiful - he even looks silky in the picture. Wonderful pose on the tree and lovely colors. I know they aren't related but for some reason he reminds me of a koala.

Jane

bahadir (646)
[2008-08-30 9:57]

Hello James, a lovely shot of his cute monkey:) TFS.
Regards,
Bahadır

nglen (34122)
[2008-08-30 10:03]

Hi James. Thanks for posting this unusual Lemur. You have captured a good pose with it looking at you. good detail and natural looking colours in the coat. Its tail looks as long as its body. Interesting notes from. you thanks .TFS.
Nick,,

Chiza (1110)
[2008-08-30 10:05]

Hola James: Una hermosa toma de este Lemur, no conocía esta especie. El entorno es excelente así como el momento del disparo, el enfoque, luz y color...gracias.

Evelynn (14410)
[2008-08-30 10:11]
[+]

You captured a great pose of this unusual lemur. You did well also manageing that harsh contrasty light. At 70mm you were pretty close to this fellow.

TFS
Evelynn ; )

Argus (37165)
[2008-08-30 11:33]

Hello James,
You made good use of the poor light to capture this rare Lemur with fine sharpness and exposure. Great POV, pose and eye-contact. Must be a first on TN.
TFS and have a good weekend,
Ivan

fragman (18760)
[2008-08-30 12:03]

beautiful and unusual one, TFS Ori

gracious (13068)
[2008-08-30 12:38]

Hello James,
Thank you for this Lemur sharing that I ever come across!
thanks for the notes as well, the image is truly sharp with great details and colour on the subject!
well done
take care
Tony

eqshannon (28275)
[2008-08-30 14:35]

While it may be a great shot, it is not something unusual for you. Your shots always have this super balance of sharpness, clarity, super framing, great natural saturation...your about the consummate photographer James! good health to those around you sir!
Bob

jrobertop (774)
[2008-08-30 14:58]

Hi James.
Wow! A marvellous observant!
What colors fantastic of this animal!
Great perspective, excellent framing.
Very well done!
Regards,
José Roberto

boreocypriensis (38788)
[2008-08-30 15:33]

hahaha:) what a beauty James I loved this shot! Its pose very lovely. Great shot. Many thanks for sharing this endemic lemur capture and have a nice sunday!
Cheers,

Bayram

Kathleen (232)
[2008-08-30 16:55]

Hi James.
Lovely exposure, colour and detail, showing the fur beautifully. Great composition on the tree with him looking back. Wonderful shot.

Kathleen

manyee (21553)
[2008-08-30 16:58]

Hi James,
This is a gem of a lemur. You are right... I am somewhat of a lemur fan and look for them wherever I go (in zoos, that is, as I have not had the privilege of going to Madagascar), and I have never seen one quite like this.
What beautiful colors on the fur, and a fuzzy one at that.
And the fact that you got such excellent eye contact with the head turned all the way around! Quite a coup!
TFS. : )

rousettus (13961)
[2008-08-30 19:05]

Hi James,
after Patagonia, we see Madagascar. Nice to see Sifaka, one of the characteristic animals of this island, from your camera. Great focus and POV. nicely composed and presented. Good informative notes. TFS, have a nice weekend
Ahmet

rcrick (5067)
[2008-08-30 23:27]

Hi James,
The clarity of this has just blown me away, the colours and detail are stunning, love the POV and the fact we see the whole body and tail with the turned head, really a wonderful shot, t.f.s

Cheers Rick :)

Gert-Paassen (15194)
[2008-08-31 0:37]

Hi James,

Impressive notes.
Another great shot of an Lemur that I only know from a zoo.
Beautiful photo with natural colours.

Gert

gondox (1475)
[2008-08-31 2:10]

Hi James!

Nice to see something really unique (or at least to me :) here on TN! It's also new to me that a population defends against its own but lets other 'close relative' species (probably looking for the same food) be in their area.
You imaged the lemur very nicely, showing the softness of the fur on the body while it's looking back we can see the face too. Its color palette is beautiful. TFS!

ps. thanks for the explanation on my shot: a front was coming indeed, rain appeared in 4 days from the date of the shot.

Best regards,
Andor

zulfu (916)
[2008-08-31 2:37]

Hello James, very beautiful capture. Lovely.. TFS.
Regards,
Mehmet

albert (2405)
[2008-08-31 7:17]

Hello James,
Nice to see you back on TN with superb photos
This picture of Diademed Sifaka is great,nice pose and good light and sharp details!
I never had the opportunity to see this lemur but I'm going to Madagascar in two weeks and hope to see it
Kind regards
Albert

cataclysta (5520)
[2008-08-31 8:29]

Hi James
Kenya, Chile, Madagascar - great serie ;-) Beautiful animal. Nice 3 dimensional effect and very informative note
I like it very much :-)
Best wishes
Krzysztof

gannu (14691)
[2008-08-31 8:55]

Hello james, what a long note. Very long with beautiful shot and lovely composition. Ganesh

SelenE (13948)
[2008-08-31 9:44]

Hi James,
What a cute one :o) I like the expression u captured a lot. TFS
All the best,
Selen

joey (24733)
[2008-08-31 13:03]

Aaaww what a cute Lemur :-)
Excellent photo!
Stunning detail in the fur and great clarity.
Brilliant pose and striking eye-contact.
Perfect exposure.

Well done James!

Cheers,
Joe

Alex99 (18981)
[2008-09-01 6:24]

Hi, James again.
I have missed few your wonderful shot and hurry up to correct my oversight. Pictured by you animal is charming and you have reflected its amazing hair, pose and look perfectly. Brilliant exposure and reproduction of all attractive details of the main subject and pictorial scenery. I like excellent framing and composition too. Well done and kind wishes.
Alexei.

soccer (1965)
[2008-09-02 2:18]

James,

Well composed pic of the subject. A very colourful creature indeed.

TFS,
Sheriff

EOSF1 (23469)
[2008-09-02 15:27]

It's so beautiful that it looks unreal! Well done again James, a great subject and a fine photograph! Thanks my friend!

Mario

elif (460)
[2009-01-08 14:09]

Hello,
very nice a species...
Best wishes.
elif

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