Description of the gastrointestinal tract of five lemur species: Propithecus tattersalli, Propithecus verreauxi coquereli, Varecia variegata, Hapalemur griseus, and Lemur catta

The objective of this project was to better define the similarities and dif ferences in gastrointestinal morphology present in lemur species. Measureme nts of the gastrointestinal tract of lemurs were obtained at necropsy from the captive population at Duke University Primate Center. Measurements of b ody length and weight, as well as gastrointestinal length, were recorded fr om five prosimian species: Propithecus tattersalli, Propithecus verreauxi, Varecia variegata, Hapalemur griseus, and Lemur catta. Photographs and meas urements were used to obtain illustrations. Preliminary results suggest dif ferences in gastrointestinal morphology among lemur species that coincide w ith differences in diet. Distinct sacculations in either the cecum or the c olon were present for H. griseus, L. catta, P. verreauxi, and P. tattersall i, but not for V. variegata. The Propithecus specimens possessed a much gre ater ratio of gastrointestinal length to body length than the other three s pecies. A short, blunt cecum and a shortened and sacculated colon were uniq ue characteristics of the H. griseus specimens. These differences correlate well with a dietary shift from consumption of large amounts of structural plant cell wall (Propithecus sp.) to consumption of variable or moderate am ounts (H. griseus, L. catta, and V. variegata). They also suggest that capt ive groups would benefit from further diet refinement in captivity. (C) 200 0 Wiley-Liss, Inc.