Behavioural and feeding ecology of a small-bodied folivorous primate (Lepilemur leucopus) in Southern Madagascar

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Individuals constantly make choices about which foods to include in their diet. These choices in turn influence their nutritional state and, hence, ultimately their fitness. In order to test a set of predictions about optimal dietary strategies, we aim to investigate how a folivorous diet, seasonal variation of food resources, sex-specific reproductive costs and food competition influence foraging strategies, food choices and the social system of a small-bodied solitarily foraging primate. Data on activity patterns, feeding ecology and ranging behaviour will be collected in a population of the white-footed sportive lemur (Lepilemur leucopus) across seasons. Furthermore, habitat structure and phenology of the subdesert spiny forest of southern Madagascar will be determined. In addition to a quantification of resource availability, nutritional analyses will be conducted to determine sportive lemurs’ food quality and food choice. The size and overlap of males’ and females’ home ranges will be determined and all social interactions between and within social units will be recorded. The evaluation of seasonal differences in food distribution, quality and quantity (extrinsic factors) as well as sex differences in food selection due to differing reproductive investment (intrinsic factors) will further our understanding of how changing physiological and nutritional needs influence dietary choices of folivores.