Titre |
Use of Millipedes by Black Lemurs to Anoint Their Bodies. |
Descripteur géographique |
|
Résumé |
During a study of seed dispersal by the black lemur (Eulemur macaco Linnaeus 1766) in Lokobe Forest, Nosy Be, Madagascar (lat. 13°23?-25? S, long. 48°18?-20? E), black lemur groups were observed for a total of 811 daylight hours spread over 19 months. On two occasions (27 and 29 December 1996) a mature female was seen anointing her body with a millipede (Charactopygus sp.; Spirostreptidae). On both occasions she found, apparently by chance, the millipede creeping along an exposed branch as she moved between food sources. She took it in one hand, sat on the branch with her legs forward, her ventral surface exposed and her tail curling upwards between her legs, bit it and rubbed its wounded, saliva-covered body vigorously over her ventral surface and tail. After biting it, she grimaced, half closed her eyes and salivated profusely. These actions were repeated several times before the millipede was dropped. The whole incident lasted between 3 and 4 min and at its conclusion the lemur continued her previous activity, travelling towards her next food source. |