Love Not Loss Project Species
By: Ryan Brinda and Eric Benenson
Malagasy Aardvark- Extinct
Species: Malagasy aardvark
Scientific Name: Plesiorycteropus
Species Habitat: Open woodland, scrub and grassland.
Species ecological roles: Ate small insects
Value: As a keystone species because their burrows serve as shelter to many animals.
Causes for extinction or endangerment: Deforestation
Consequences of the loss of the species: Without the aardvark, many animals that rely on its burrows will find themselves without a home.
Works Cited: http://www.itsnature.org/rip/recently/plesiorycteropus/
"Malagasy Aardvark – Bibymalagasy – Plesiorycteropus - Recently Extinct." Malagasy Aardvark – Bibymalagasy – Plesiorycteropus - Recently Extinct. Web. 7 Jan. 2015. <http://www.itsnature.org/rip/recently/plesiorycteropus/>.
Golden Bamboo Lemur- Critically Endangered
Species: Golden Bamboo Lemur
Scientific Name: Hapalemur aureus
Species Habitat: Southeastern Madagascar
Species ecological roles: Bamboo lemurs are the only primates in the world that specialise on a bamboo diet. This species has evidently evolved resistance to the high levels of cyanide within the young bamboo leaves that it eats. Every day it consumes the equivalent of 12 times the lethal dose of cyanide for most mammals
Value: Serve as prey and help to spread seeds.
Causes for extinction or endangerment: The species is threatened primarily by the continued loss of its forest habitat due to slash-and-burn agriculture and timber extraction.
Consequences of the loss of the species: The bamboo levels will increase too rapidly.
Rate of loss: The population is declining, with only about 1,000 individuals remaining.
Works Cited: "EDGE of Existence." EDGE of Existence. Web. 7 Jan. 2015. <http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=23>.
Radiated Tortoise- Conservation status has been improved by intervention
Species: Radiated Tortoise
Scientific Name: Astrochelys radiata
Species Habitat: Madagascar, prefer dry regions of brush
Species ecological role: Keep vegetation trimmed
Value: Their value to the ecosystem is its beauty
Causes for extinction or endangerment: Endangered because of habitat alteration and poaching
Consequences of the loss of the species: The loss of the tortoise will be bad because it is a symbol for many cultures to hold the spirits of their ancestors.
Works Cited: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Radiatedtortoise.cfm
"Radiated Tortoise." Fact Sheet. Web. 7 Jan. 2015. <http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Radiatedtortoise.cfm>.