Question

the ring - tailed lemur is a primate native to forests in the southern portion of the island of madagascar. their diet consists of mostly fruit, but they also consume leaves, flowers, tree bark, and sap. ring - tailed lemurs are preyed upon by fossas, which are cat - like carnivores, and hawks.
the maps below show their approximate distribution in 2006 and 2016.
two maps are shown, with the left one labeled approximate distribution of ring - tailed lemur in 2006 and the right one labeled approximate distribution of ring - tailed lemur in 2016. data from gould and sauther primate conservation, vol 30, 2016, pp 89 - 101
which is the most likely explanation for the difference in distribution of ring - tailed lemurs between 2006 and 2016?
a. shifting climate patterns resulted in increased rainfall.
b. an invasive species was introduced that preys on fossas.
c. a regional construction company increased its logging activity.
d. areas of land were set aside as protected national parks.

Explanation:

To determine the most likely explanation for the change in ring - tailed lemur distribution from 2006 to 2016, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Increased rainfall due to climate change. If rainfall increased, the lemur's forest habitat (their native environment) would likely be more suitable, and their distribution should expand or stay stable, not become more fragmented as seen in the maps. So this option is incorrect.
• Option B: An invasive species preying on fossas. Fossas are predators of lemurs. If an invasive species preys on fossas, the fossa population would decrease, and lemur predation pressure would reduce. This would likely lead to an increase in lemur population and a more widespread distribution, not the fragmentation we see. So this option is incorrect.
• Option C: Increased logging activity. Logging destroys the lemur's forest habitat. As logging increases, the suitable habitat for lemurs decreases, causing their distribution to become more fragmented (as seen in the 2016 map compared to 2006). This option is consistent with the change in distribution.
• Option D: Land set aside as protected national parks. Protected areas would provide a safe habitat for lemurs, leading to an increase in their population and a more concentrated or expanded distribution within the protected areas, not the fragmentation observed. So this option is incorrect.

Answer:

C. A regional construction company increased its logging activity.