Lemur Research Paper

Abstract: Madagascar is considered the fourth largest island, with one of the world’s most diverse flora and fauna assemblages. This is due to the islands early split during the continental drift from Gondwana. The diverse, Malagasy forests are being destroyed from local deforestation, causing the flora and fauna to become endemic from the destruction and confinement done by human invasion. There are current conservation projects, however it is impossible to preserve all living species. Thus, priorities must be made. It is a necessity to preserve species that provide symbiotic relationships with a variety of neighboring species. The sympatric lemur species must be prioritized to conserve, for these species promote local seed-bearing flora

No research was cited or referenced when less than two lemurs were studied, also when the lemurs were examined for a time span less than one year. Moreover, any non-lemur frugivores (excluding birds and bats) studies were not considered for review when lacking data with a comparative to lemurs. Morphological and physiological data for aves and bats were reviewed in articles independent from one another. Also, aves bill size and shape were only considered for endemic species in order to maintain a focus on conservation prioritization. Geographical and economic data of Madagascar was referenced by annual updates from reliable sources

Seeds frequently remain intact when consumed by lemurs, because of the variation in lemur size [Wright et al., 2011]. There is a direct relation with lemur size, and the seed/fruit size consumed [Gabriel et al., 2013]. These frugrivores do not consume fruits with seeds that are too large to be safely consumed without grinding down in size [Wright et al., 2011]. This retention of seed structure and variety in fruit consumption better rejects the null hypothesis of host plants lacking a dependency on the lemur species for seed dispersal. The disappearance of lemurs affects localized regions of flora assemblages, and is supported by these