Habitat Degradation and Seasonality Affect Physiological Stress Levels of Eulemur collaris in Littoral Forest Fragments

摘要: The littoral forest on sandy soil is among the most threatened habitats in Madagascar and, as such, it represents a hot-spot within conservation hot-spot. Assessing health of resident lemur fauna not only critical for long-term viability these populations, but also necessary future re-habilitation this unique habitat. Since Endangered collared brown lemur, Eulemur collaris, largest seed disperser Malagasy south-eastern its survival habitat crucial. In study we compared fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) levels, measure physiological stress and potential early indicator population health, between groups lemurs living degraded fragment occurring more preserved area. For this, analysed 279 samples collected year-round from 4 using validated 11-oxoetiocholanolone enzyme immunoassay tested if fGCM levels were influenced by reproductive stages, phenological seasons, sex, degradation. had significantly higher than those particular, highest found during mating season all animals females gestation forest. are both lean forest, results likely reflect combination ecological pressures. Our findings provide clear indication that degradation has additive effects to challenges natural increased hormone output may have negative reproduction, our data emphasize need add development effective plans species.