Golden-crowned sifaka

Description

The golden-crowned sifaka or Tattersall's sifaka (Propithecus tattersalli) is a medium-sized lemur characterized by mostly white fur,prominent furry ears,and a golden-orange crown.It is one of the smallest sifakas (genus Propithecus),weighing around 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) and measuring approximately 90 cm (35 in) from head to tail.Like all sifakas,it is a vertical clinger and leaper,and its diet includes mostly seeds and leaves.The golden-crowned sifaka is named after its discoverer,Ian Tattersall,who first spotted the species in 1974.However,it was not formally described until 1988,after a research team led by Elwyn L.Simons observed and captured some specimens for captive breeding.The golden-crowned sifaka most closely resembles the western forest sifakas of the P.verreauxi group,yet its karyotype suggests a closer relationship with the P.diadema group of eastern forest sifakas.Despite the similarities with both groups,more recent studies of its karyotype support its classification as a distinct species.