Context:

In a groundbreaking study, researchers from Pompeu Fabra University (Spain) and the University of Trento (Italy) have created the first comprehensive map of the gut microbiome of the indri lemur (Indri indri). The study, published in The ISME Journal, identified 48 bacterial species, of which 47 are entirely new to science.

About Indri lemur:

·        Common Name: Indri lemur (locally called babakoto)

·        Scientific Name: Indri indri

·        Size: Largest living lemur species, 60–70 cm long with a rudimentary tail

·        Habitat: Remote northeastern rainforests of Madagascar(endemic), from sea level to 1,800 meters

·        Appearance: Black and white silky fur, varying geographically; round head with pointed face; large hands and feet

·        Behavior: Diurnal and arboreal (tree-dwelling)

·        Diet: Feeds on leaves, fruits, flowers, and other vegetation

·        Lifespan: 15–18 years in the wild

Conservation Status:

·        Critically Endangered (IUCN) due to habitat loss

·        It is listed by CITES on Appendix I, which prohibits the trade of specimens or parts, except for scientific purposes.

Social Structure and Behaviour:

Indris live in small family groups, typically monogamous pairs with offspring. They are known for their loud, distinctive calls used for territorial communication.

Significance of the research:

• The indri lemur lives in small, stable family groups and cannot survive in captivity. As a folivorous primate, it plays an essential role in forest ecology.
• The study found that gut bacteria are not acquired from soil, despite indris ingesting it, but are instead socially transmitted within family units.
• Each group of indris hosts distinct bacterial strains, suggesting that microbiomes evolve with geographical and social isolation.

Threats to Indri Lemur:

·         Habitat loss caused by deforestation due to slash-and-burn agriculture and logging

·         Human encroachment into forest areas

·         Hunting by local populations

·         These factors contribute significantly to their Critically Endangered status and threaten their survival in the wild

Conclusion:

The discovery highlights a symbiotic relationship between host and microbiome, reinforcing that species extinction also leads to the loss of unique microbial biodiversity. Since almost all identified bacteria are specific to the indri, protecting the species also protects an unexplored microbial ecosystem. This has potential implications for biodiversity conservation, evolutionary biology, and even future biomedical research.