| Sifakas[1] | |
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| 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 |
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| Species | |
Sifakas ("sifaka" pronounced as shif-ahk) are a genus (Propithecus) from the primate family Indriidae. Like all lemurs, they are found only on the island of Madagascar.
Sifakas are diurnal and arboreal.
Sifakas are medium sized indrids, reaching a length of 45 to 55 cm (about 18-22 in) and a weight of 4 to 6 kg (about 9-13 lbs). 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.
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 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.[2]
As with all lemurs, the sifaka has special adaptations for grooming, including a toilet-claw on its second toe and a toothcomb.
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. [3]
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.
Classification
- Family Indriidae: woolly lemurs and allies
- Genus Indri
- Genus Avahi
- Genus Propithecus[4]
- P. diadema group
- Diademed Sifaka, Propithecus diadema
- Silky Sifaka, Propithecus candidus
- Milne-Edwards' Sifaka, Propithecus edwardsi
- Perrier's Sifaka, Propithecus perrieri
- Golden-crowned Sifaka, Propithecus tattersalli
- P. verreauxi group
- Verreaux's Sifaka, Propithecus verreauxi
- Coquerel's Sifaka, Propithecus coquereli
- Van der Decken's Sifaka, Propithecus deckenii
- Crowned Sifaka, Propithecus coronatus
- P. diadema group
 P. coquereli |
 P. diadema |
 P. candidus |
 P. edwardsi |
References
- ^ Groves, C. (2005). Wilson, D. E., & Reeder, D. M.. ed. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 120-121. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3.
- ^ "Coquerel's Sifaka". Duke University Lemur Center. http://lemur.duke.edu/animals/coquerel/. Retrieved 2009-06-15.
- ^ http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2009/02/21/rspb.2008.1912.full
- ^ Mireya I. Mayor, Julie A. Sommer, Marlys L. Houck, John R. Zaonarivelo, Patricia C. Wright, Colleen Ingram, Stacia R. Engel and Edward E. Louis Jr. (August 2004). "Specific Status of Propithecus spp.". International Journal of Primatology 25 (4): 875–900. doi:.
External links
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Wikispecies has information related to: Sifaka |
- Primate Info Net Propithecus Factsheets
- New York Academy of Sciences Podcast
- National Geographic video
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