Biodiversity of the brown lemur complex:Taxonomy and phylogeography of Eulemur fulvus ssp.

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The aim of this study is to clarify the diversity and evolutionary history of the “Eulemur fulvus complex”. This group of Malagasy primates was traditionally considered to consist of 6-8 not strictly allopatric subspecies. The latest taxonomic revision elevated them to full species rank, without providing convincing evidence, however. To clarify their taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationships, we want to collect and analyze four types of new data. At 40 field sites, we will collect fecal samples to extract mitochondrial and nuclear DNA for subsequent sequencing. These genetic data will be used to quantify the genetic exchange among populations and to establish a temporal framework of this exchange. The same animals will also be photographed to quantify postulated variation in fur coloration among populations. Population differentiation in behavior will be studied exemplarily by recording and analyzing an innate vocalization. Finally, we will obtain morphometric data from museum specimens with reliable localities to examine morphological variation among taxa. By combining different data sets, we hope create a reliable taxonomy of brown lemurs, to reconstruct their phylobiogeography, and to provide a basis for conservation recommendations.