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: one labeled approximate distribution of ring - tailed lemur in 2006 and the other 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:

• Option A: Increased rainfall would likely expand suitable habitat, not reduce lemur distribution as seen (2016 has less area than 2006), so A is incorrect.
• Option B: If a species preys on fossas (lemur predators), lemur population should increase/expand, but distribution shrank, so B is incorrect.
• Option C: Increased logging reduces forest habitat (lemurs live in forests), so their distribution would shrink, matching the 2006 - 2016 change (larger red area in 2006, smaller patches in 2016).
• Option D: Protected parks would preserve habitat, leading to stable or expanded distribution, not shrinkage, so D is incorrect.

Answer:

C. A regional construction company increased its logging activity.