Avahi unicolor Thalmann & Geissmann 2000
Creators: name: Russell A. Mittermeier
name: Anthony B. Rylands
name: Don E. Wilson
Publisher: name: Lynx Edicions
Year: 2013
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Primates
Indriidae
Avahi
Avahi unicolor

description: 9.
Sambirano Woolly Lemur
Avahi unicolor
French: Avahi unicolore / German: Sambirano-Wollmaki / Spanish: Lémur lanudo de Sambirano
Other common names: Sambirano Avahi, Unicolor Woolly Lemur
Taxonomy. Avahi unicolor Thalmann & Geissmann, 2000,
Madagascar, Cacamba (= Kakamba), Ampasindava Peninsula (13° 35’ E, 47° 57° E).
Woolly lemurs found further north in the Ankarana Special Reserve are generally lighter in color and may represent a distinct species or subspecies. Monotypic.
Distribution. NW Madagascar, probably restricted to the Sambirano region, including the Ampasindava Peninsula; the N extent ofits distribution is possibly the Sambirano River and the S limit is the Andranomalaza (= Maetsamalaza) River. The woolly lemur reported from the W slopes of the Manongarivo Special Reserve was originally thought to be the Eastern Woolly Lemur (A. laniger), but subsequently determined to bethis species.
Descriptive notes. Head-body 23-31 cm, tail 26.5-30.3 cm; weight 830-920 ¢. The Sambirano Woolly Lemur is one ofthe smallest woolly lemurs and, consequently, among the smallest members ofthe family Indriidae. The coat is woolly, and dorsal color is a sandy brownish-gray. The tail may be a darker gray-brown or more reddish-brown, although the base tends to be lighter, perhaps even cream-colored. There is a triangular beige or cream-colored pygal patch. The ventral coat is thinner than the dorsal coat anda lighter gray. The faceis only slightly paler than the head and back, with short and straight hair, giving the impression ofa facial ring or mask. The snout is hairless and black, and fur at the corners of the mouthis whitish. Eyes are maroon.
Habitat. Tropical moist lowland forest from sea level to elevations of 700 m.
Food and Feeding. There is no information availablefor this species.
Breeding. There is no information availablefor this species.
Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but the Sambirano Woolly Lemur is nocturnal and arboreal.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no specific information available for this species, and it is known only from a few individuals.
Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. However, at the IUCN/SSC Lemur Red-Listing Workshop held in July 2012, A. unicolor was assessed as endangered. The species remains very poorly known and difficult to find, but concerns were raised about increased habitat destruction in its limited range. The only official protected area in whichit occurs is the Manongarivo Special Reserve, although it is also found in the Antafondro Classified Forest, which provides someprotection. To enhance the conservation of the Sambirano Woolly Lemur, consideration should be given to establishing a protected area on the Ampasindava Peninsula and extending the boundaries of the Manongarivo reserve eastward.
Bibliography. Andriantompohavana et al. (2007), Groves (2001), Mittermeier et al. (2010), Raxworthy & Rakotondraparany (1988), Thalmann & Geissmann (2000).
description: Published as part of Russell A. Mittermeier, Anthony B. Rylands & Don E. Wilson, 2013, Indriidae, pp. 142-175 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 3 Primates, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 167, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6709103