Red-fronted Brown Lemur

Taxobox
name = Red-fronted Brown LemurMSW3 Groves | pages=116 | id=12100046]

---

image_width = 230px
status = DD
status_system = iucn3.1
status_ref = IUCN2008 | assessors = Hoffmann, M. | year = 2008 | id = 8209 | title = Eulemur rufus | downloaded = 07 October 2008]
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Primates
familia = Lemuridae
genus = "Eulemur"
species = "E. rufus"
binomial = "Eulemur rufus"
binomial_authority = (Audebert, 1799)The Red-fronted Brown Lemur ("Eulemur rufus") is a species of lemur from Madagascar. It has previously been considered a subspecies of the Common Brown Lemur, "E. fulvus".

The Red-fronted Brown Lemur lives over much of the western coast of Madagascar in dry lowland forests.cite book|title=Lemurs of Madagascar, Second Edition|author=Mittermeier, Russell, et al|year=2006|pages=275-276] It also has distribution in eastern Madagascar, from the Mangoro River and Onive River to the Andringitra Massif. There is considerable geographic variation in the natural history of this species. Western populations tend to have smaller home ranges and higher population densities than eastern populations, although group size tends to be fairly consistent (generally 4-18 animals averaging of 8-9). None of the studied populations show dominance hierarchies and aggression tends to be low.

Diet is diverse, encompassing leaves, seeds, fruit, nectar and flowers, but more so in eastern populations. Western populations tend to rely more on leaves for their diet. Western populations are primarily diurnal, but become but increase nocturnal activity during the dry season, while eastern populations show less such dichotomy.

Reproduction is seasonal. In western populations one male usually monopolizes all the females in the group, while in eastern populations such monopolization is less typical.

References