The Open Conservation Biology Journal

2010, 4 : 01-08
Published online 2010 February 18. DOI: 10.2174/1874839201004010001
Publisher ID: TOCONSBJ-4-1

Population Genetic Study of the Red-Collared Brown Lemur (Eulemur collaris É. Geoffroy) in Southeastern Madagascar

Jean Freddy Ranaivoarisoa , Liette Brenneman , Susie M. McGuire , Runhua Lei , Soanorolalao S. Ravelonjanahary , Shannon E. Engberg , Carolyn A. Bailey , Lisa M. Kimmel , Tsirivaloniana Razafimananjato , Richard Rakotonomenjanahary and Edward E. Louis, Jr.
Center for Conservation and Research, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, 3701 South 10th Street, Omaha, NE 68107, USA

ABSTRACT

The red-collared brown lemur, Eulemur collaris (É. Geoffroy), is relatively isolated geographically from other Eulemur species in southeastern Madagascar. Like many other lemur species, the red-collared brown lemur is particularly threatened due to habitat loss and human activities. To evaluate population structure and genetic diversity of this species, we utilized ten informative microsatellite loci derived from the Eulemur rubriventer (I. Geoffroy) genome. Significant genetic differentiation among populations was detected and that differentiation was found to be correlated to geographic isolation. Moreover, we found evidence to support recent weak to moderate reductions in effective population sizes in two of the perturbed populations.

Keywords:

Eulemur collaris, microsatellites, population genetics, conservation, madagascar.