Scott's sportive lemur | Masoala sportive lemur, Masoala, Madagascar

I'm in great conflict regarding the species identification of this one. Upon seeing this, our guide identified it as an Eastern Woolly Lemur. It somewhat looks like it, and based on range, it would be likely. However, studying my lemur species card, I found the face to not match, and the face of the Small-toothed sportive lemur matching a whole lot more. After presenting this theory to my guide, he looked it up in a much better book, and agreed.

Back home, I am still in doubt though. In terms of range, it is unlikely for this to be a Small-toothed sportive lemur, so I'm going to bring in an expert to verify or correct my claim.

comments (7)

Claire Hamilton

Lion

I concur that it doesn't look anything like a Woolly lemur. I would agree to it being lepilemur (sportive) especially looking at the ears but my lemur guide states that it is almost impossible to distinguish small toothed lemurs under field conditions and use geographic locations to identify individuals in the wild. Often confused with L.mustelinus and the Avahi.
Maybe you have the same book so sorry if I am going over what you already know;) Posted 9 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  I only have these reference cards:
  http://blog.conservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/lemur_guides.jpg
  
  Therefore, the information you added is very useful. I think the odds of this being the small-toothed one are lowered, which I somewhat expected. I'm trying to bring in Nick Garbutt, who is like the ultimate Madagascar expert I know of. Thanks, Claire! Posted 9 years ago
2. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Update: Nick responded and identified this as a Scotts sportive lemur. This species is endemic to the regio, and has only been established in documentation as of 2008, which explains why they are not on my reference card, which is also from 2008. Posted 9 years ago
3. 1. Claire Hamilton
    
    Lion
    
    That's awesome! My book dates back to 2006 so not in there either! Great that you have a positive ID and a very exciting new species! Posted 9 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      Thank you, very happy with it. Posted 9 years ago

Jivko Nakev

Lion

This is great species intro, Ferdy! I am surprised there is a Wiki page of it. Posted 9 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Me too actually, thank you. Posted 9 years ago

The Scotts sportive lemur

Scott's sportive lemur, or the Masoala sportive lemur, is a sportive lemur endemic to Madagascar. This is one of 26 species in the genus ''Lepilemur''. It has greyish brown fur and a black-tipped tail. It is named in honor of the Suzanne and Walter Scott Jr. Foundation.

Info 1 0

Similar species: Primates

Species identified by Ferdy Christant