K. Anne-Isola Nekaris, Wasantha K. D. D. Liyanage, Saman N. Gamage
Influence of forest structure and composition on population density of the red slender loris Loris tardigradus tardigradus in Masmullah proposed forest reserve, Sri Lanka
Few studies address the influence of habitat disturbance on Sri Lanka's fauna,
including the endemic red slender loris Loris tardigradus tardigradus.
Masmullah Proposed Forest Reserve harbours one of few remaining red slender
loris populations, and is considered a "biodiversity hotspot". Using plotless
sampling, we sampled 387 trees to ascertain density, and to record traits influential
to loris presence. The most common tree species was Humboldtia laurifolia,
occurring at 676 trees/ha, with overall density at 1077 trees/ha.
Twenty-seven families belonging to 40 species were recorded, of which 45%
were endemic, 40% native, 7.5% introduced. Humboldtia laurifolia has a
mutualistic relationship with ants, providing abundant food for lorises.
Substrates available at 3.5 m (height preferred by lorises), were small (less
than 5 cm2), the size preferred by lorises. Vines and branches provided continuous
passage, and trees held a number of potential sleeping sites. The characteristics
of the forest are ideal for lorises, but the abundance of this habitat
as measured by basal area is small, typical of severe degradation associated
with chronic human disturbance. Continued illegal deforestation will impact
severely already fragmented loris populations.
Mammalia, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 0025-1461
Volume: 69, 07/2005
Pages: 201 - 210
Show full article (external site)
Show all available items of this journal
Search
