Diademed sifakas (Propithecus diadema) use olfaction to forage for the inflorescences of subterranean parasitic plants (Balanophoraceae: Langsdorffia sp., and Cytinaceae: Cytinus sp.).
Primates usually locate food resources using visual cues and memory, yet the potential for olfactory-guided (or olfactory-assisted) food location remains relatively unexplored. Here we report observations of wild Propithecus diadema that strongly suggest that olfaction is used to locate the inflorescences of two subterranean parasitic plant species (Langsdorffia sp. and Cytinus sp.). These valued but seasonal food resources are found obscured in leaf litter, and sifakas spend considerable time on the ground engaged in what appears to be olfactory exploration before they locate the inflorescences. Because they are visually obscured and occur within a substrate that is rarely used by sifakas, accidental discovery of these resources seems unlikely. Individuals may learn to exploit them by watching conspecifics.
Irwin
Mitchell T
MT
Interdepartmental Doctoral Program in Anthropological Sciences, Department of Anthropology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA. mitchell.irwin@mail.mcgill.ca
Raharison
Fanomezantsoa Jean-Luc
FJ
Rakotoarimanana
Harison
H
Razanadrakoto
Edmond
E
Ranaivoson
Edmond
E
Rakotofanala
Justin
J
Randrianarimanana
Charles
C
D000818:Animals; D001070:Appetitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D031111:Balanophoraceae; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000502:physiology; D008270:Madagascar; D019370:Observation; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*; D011443:Strepsirhini / Q000502:physiology*