Habitat use of the endangered Lepilemur mittermeieri - Northwest Madagascar

Genus Lepilemur is exemplary of the endemic mammalian fauna of the island of Madagascar. Sportive lemurs have small distribution ranges, and fairly small total populations and are particularly negatively affected by deforestation and habitat fragmentation. Our research focus on a poorly-known taxon, Lepilemur mittermeieri, whose distribution range is located on the Ampasindava peninsula in the northwest Madagascar. It has been described in 2006 on the basis of genetic material only. Since then, no further research has been conducted and general information of this endangered species is urgently requested.
We will present our global project as well as the results of a second field mission conducted from March to June 2015 in order to specifically 1) investigate habitat use of 8 radio-collared Lepilemur mittermeieri by the analysis of their home range, feeding ecology and sleeping sites characteristics and 2) to complete forest characterization of the home range of each radio-collared animal. This study is conducted on the Ampasindava peninsula, a priority area for Malagasy conservation.