Research

              Lemur catta                           Propithecus v. verreauxi

Beza Mahafaly

The tropical dry forest site of Beza Mahafaly is highly seasonal.  Of the four lemur species that occur there, I study the two diurnal species, Propithecus verreauxi (white sifaka) and Lemur catta (ringtailed lemur).  Dietary research always begins with behavioral observations to detail exactly which plant parts are eaten and how they are consumed. I collect the plant parts following observations (or as they are dropped by the animals), then test them for toughness, hardness, etc.  In addition, I have investigated chemical content of foods and food color.  I am beginning a study in collaboration with Michelle Sauther (U Colorado, Boulder) and Frank Cuozzo (U North Dakota) on dietary differences among populations of ringtailed lemurs in different habitats.
 

Seasonality in the dry forest: the same location photographed in the dry season on the left and in the rainy season on the right.