166 S. Randrianjaka et al.
populations occur along the Fiheranana River Valley where it extends beyond the range of our survey. Our survey efforts also confirmed that Ranomay, a historical L. catta stronghold (Murphy et al., 2017), and multiple sites throughout the Mahafaly Plateau (e.g. Bemananga, Mananiho and Telomaly) still support a substantial presence of L. catta (Supplementary Table 1).
Although encouraging, our findings are preliminary;
additional systematic surveys are needed to improve popu- lation estimates of L. catta. Nevertheless, our data are im- portant for informing species-orientated conservation management (Kéry & Schmidt, 2008). Our findings are also a cautionary reminder that we must not confuse data deficiency with population deficiency; both survey extent and habitat heterogeneity (i.e. the ‘geographical template’ sensu Lomolino, 2004) must be considered when inferring species occupancy, as the absence of a species from one area might not be indicative of its absence from an entire region (Angermeier et al., 2002). Thus, it is important that add- itional surveys are conducted beyond the regions included in this study. Failure to do so could lead to so-called Wallacean shortfalls (i.e. gaps in understanding of the geo- graphical distribution of a species; Lomolino, 2004). We therefore echo a recent call (LaFleur et al., 2018) for widespread collaboration between researchers, conserva- tionists and park management officials to generate more comprehensive information on the density and distribution of L. catta throughout its geographical range, to inform management of the species appropriately.
Acknowledgements We thank our funders: the Animal Behavior and Conservation Thesis Research Grant at Hunter College of the City University of New York, IUCN Save Our Species, Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation, Re:wild, Conservation International, Mada- gascar Biodiversity Partnership and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium; our field teams: Solo Justin, Victor Rasendranirina and Velonjara Michel Angelo Eddy, Manjotoetse and Didier Herman Ramanantsoa and Jean Claude Randriamanana, Jeannot Rakotomalala, Jean Olivier Razafindramanana and Justin Jonah Rakotonirina; Jen Tinsmann for editing the text; and Madagascar National Parks, the Direction Générale de l’Environnement et des Forêts, Direction de la Gestion des Ressources Naturelles Renouvelables et des Écosystèmes, Direction Régional de l’Environnement et du Développement Durable and commune mayors and fokontany chiefs, who together comprise the Association Inter Communale Plateau Mahafaly, for their permis- sion to work in the region.
Author contributions Study design, fieldwork: SR, SC, TMS, CLF, RR, JCR, ALB, EEL; data analysis, writing: SR, SC, TMS, ALB; revision: CLF, LRR, EEL.
Conflicts of interest None.
Ethical standards This research abided by the Oryx guidelines on ethical standards. The research was conducted with permission from Madagascar’s Ministère de l’Environnement et du Développement Durable (126/18/MEEF/SG/DGF/DSAP/
SCB.Re, 063/19/MEDD/SG/ DGF/DSAP/
SCB.Re and 324/19/MEDD/SG/DGEF/DGRNE), and was approved by institutional animal care and use committees on 12 June
2019 (Hunter College: AB-Wild Pet 4/22) and 18 January 2019 (Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium: 190001).
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Oryx, 2024, 58(2), 164–166 © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Fauna & Flora International doi:10.1017/S0030605323000273
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