Living apart together: pair-living in red-tailed sportive lemurs (Lepilemur ruficaudatus)

Abstract

In this thesis I present the first comprehensive study of the social system of red-tailed sportive lemurs (Lepilemur ruficaudatus). The results contribute several new data on life history traits, which are required for comparative studies that examine general patterns of primate evolution and socioecology. Moreover, I was able to clarify the social organization, social structure and mating strategy of red-tailed sportive lemurs. In particular, I was able to demonstrate that red-tailed sportive lemurs are socially organized into pairs and maintain stable territories over several years. Red-tailed sportive lemurs can be classified as dispersed pairs because pair partners meet only rarely throughout the year, except during the short mating season. I did not find evidence for direct infant care provided by the father. Hence, the paternal care hypothesis cannot serve as an explanation for the evolution and/or maintenance of pair-living in red-tailed sportive lemurs. In contrast, the results of this study emphasize the importance of female defence as a male mating strategy and offer an important contribution for the understanding of pair-living in nocturnal lemurs in particular and pair-living mammals in general.