Genetic tests of the taxonomic status of the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) from the high mountain zone of the Andringitra Massif, Madagascar

A recent survey of the high-mountain zone of the Madagascar Pare National ( PN) d'Andringitra revealed the presence of an apparently isolated troop of the ring-tailed lemur Lemur catta. These animals display phenotypic and eco logical characteristics that are unusual for the monotypic genus Lemur, thu s raising the possibility that they are members of a different undescribed species. We present analyses of two mitochondrial genes to test the hypothe sis that L. catta from Andringitra should be considered a distinct species. The results indicate that taxonomic revision is not warranted under the ex pectations of the phylogenetic, coalescent, or biological species concepts. Rather, the genetic patterns observed among the Andringitra and lowland mi tochondrial haplotypes are consistent with those expected for a single spec ies.