HEALTHY LEMURS EAT DIRT! GEOPHAGY AND MICROBIOME OF THE INDRIS

Geophagy – i.e. the intentional consumption of soil - remains poorly investigated in Madagascar’s lemurs. Soil-eating has been described in species with an herbivorous and omnivorous diet, but very few studies have assessed the function of geophagy in Malagasy rainforest lemurs. Usually, primates feed on soil inside well-defined sites. This allows the researchers to study this behaviour by direct observations and deploying camera traps (CTs), a useful means to monitor elusive species and/or specific behaviours. Indris, the largest living lemurs, only survive in the eastern rainforests of Madagascar, showing a very strong link with their natural environment. They are soil consumers regularly, thus suggesting a role of soil in shaping the species feeding behaviour and, consequently, also gut microbiome composition. Within this work, we investigated the possible linkages among geophagy, feeding, soil characteristics, and gut microbiome of the indris (Indri indri) in the Maromizaha NPA to try to disentangle the viable drivers of this phenomenon in the wild. We also aim to provide comparisons with other lemur species living in the NPA, such as the diademed sifakas (Propithecus diadema) and the black-andwhite ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata editorum). The data presented here offer valuable perspectives on investigating primate health and improving conservation efforts for critically endangered lemur species within the Maromizaha NPA. Finally, the association is bringing the Citizen Conservation project to Italy, an initiative that involves private breeders in the controlled reproduction of endangered species, with the aim of preserving the species and, eventually, reintroducing specimens born in the wild. This approach allows to increase the population of species in difficulty and demonstrates how the commitment of individuals can really make a difference in the protection of biodiversity.