Lemurs of Madagascar Pocket Idenitification Guides:
Diurnal, Cathemeral and Nocturnal
Conservation International and the IUCN Primate Specialist Group have published two new pocket guides, which together encompass the ninety-nine currently recognized species and subspecies of lemurs.
Our understanding of this diversity has improved substantially since the first lemur field guide was published in 1994, and the number of taxa now recognized has grown beyond the panels of a single folding guide. Presenting the lemurs of Madagascar in two separate guides – one for the diurnal species, one for the nocturnal – allows more space for additional color morphs, new country maps and detailed facial portraits. Dividing the species by their activity patterns also offers an advantage in the field: the ability to bring along the right guide for the species you’re most likely to see, be it a morning hike or a nighttime excursion.
The guide to diurnal and cathemeral lemurs includes 34 taxa in seven genera: Eulemur, Hapalemur, Indri, Lemur, Prolemur, Propithecus and Varecia. Intended for quick identification in the field, the folding guide presents a color illustration and a thumbnail range map for each species, with occasional clarifying notes. Additional illustrations include male and female pelage patterns for the dichromatic Eulemur, as well as color morphs for Indri and a remarkable survey of the variation in Varecia.
The nocturnal pocket guide presents 65 species of lemurs – some of them only just described – from eight genera: Allocebus, Avahi, Cheirogaleus, Daubentonia, Lepilemur, Microcebus, Mirza and Phaner. As always, both field guides have been meticulously illustrated by primate artist Stephen Nash, and each guide concludes with a checklist to its respective lemur taxa. In addition, these two guides feature a new map of Madagascar, showing key protected areas throughout the country which contain the best sites for lemur encounters.
Whether you’re traveling to Madagascar as a student, a researcher or an ecotourist – or simply dreaming of making the journey – these pocket guides are the most up-to-date reference on the island continent’s most intriguing denizens.
For an example of the illustrated panels, please see our sample pages for the diurnal and nocturnal guides. To order a copy of either of these pocket guides, please go to www.nhbs.com or contact Jill Lucena at jlucena@globalwildlife.org with any questions.
References
Mittermeier, R. A., Louis, E., Richardson, M., Konstant, W. R., Langrand, O., Hawkins, F., Ratsimbazafy, J., Rasoloarison, R., Ganzhorn, J., Rajaobelina, S. and Schwitzer, C. 2009. Lemurs of Madagascar Pocket Identification Guide: Diurnal and Cathemeral Lemurs. Conservation International Tropical Pocket Guide Series #7. Conservation International, Arlington, VA.
Mittermeier, R. A., Louis, E., Richardson, M., Konstant, W. R., Langrand, O., Hawkins, F., Ratsimbazafy, J., Rasoloarison, R., Ganzhorn, J., Rajaobelina, S. and Schwitzer, C. 2009. Lemurs of Madagascar Pocket Identification Guide: Nocturnal Lemurs. Conservation International Tropical Pocket Guide Series #8. Conservation International, Arlington, VA.
