Mouse lemur

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Mouse lemurs
Zwergmausmaki--w.jpg
Pygmy mouse lemur (M. myoxinus)
CITES Appendix I (CITES) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Strepsirrhini
Family: Cheirogaleidae
Genus: Microcebus
É. Geoffroy, 1834 [2]
Type species
Lemur pusillus
É. Geoffroy, 1795
Diversity
About 25 species
Microcebus range map.svg
Combined distribution of Microcebus [3]
Synonyms [2] [4]
  • MurilemurGray, 1870
  • ScartesSwainson, 1835
  • MyscebusLesson, 1840
  • AzemaGray, 1870
  • GliscebusLesson, 1840
  • MyocebusWagner, 1841

The mouse lemurs are nocturnal lemurs of the genus Microcebus. Like all lemurs, mouse lemurs are native to Madagascar. [4]

Contents

Mouse lemurs have a combined head, body and tail length of 20–30 centimetres (7.9–11.8 in) and weigh 30–65 grams (1.1–2.3 oz), [5] making them the smallest primates [6] (the smallest species being Madame Berthe's mouse lemur); however, their weight fluctuates in response to daylight duration. [7] Lemurs and mouse lemurs were announced by the IUCN as the most endangered of all vertebrates. There were two known mouse lemur species in 1992; by 2016, there were 24. [8] It was estimated that the 24 mouse lemur species evolved from a common ancestor 18–11 million years ago. [9]

Mouse lemurs are omnivorous; their diets are diverse and include insect secretions, arthropods, small vertebrates, gum, fruit, flowers, nectar, and also leaves and buds depending on the season. [10]

Mouse lemurs are considered cryptic species—with very little morphological differences between the various species, but with high genetic diversity. Recent evidence points to differences in their mating calls, which are very diverse. Since mouse lemurs are nocturnal, they might not have evolved to look different, but have evolved various auditory and vocal systems.[ citation needed ]

Mouse lemur brains can weigh less than 2 grams (0.071 oz) while their testes can weigh 2.5 grams (0.088 oz). [11]

As written in Genetics, mouse lemurs help to provide a more extensive understanding of the biology, behavior, and health of primates. Mouse lemurs are categorized as prosimian primates. They are among the smallest and most rapidly developing primates and are becoming more abundant in Madagascar and around the world. These tiny creatures are helping to prove valuable information about the biology and evolution of primates through the analysis of their phenotypes and mutations, especially as a model organism for human medical research. [12]

Reproduction and evolution

Mouse lemurs are also known for their sperm competition. During breeding seasons, the testicles of male mouse lemurs increase in size to about 130% of their normal size. This was speculated to increase the sperm production thereby conferring an advantage for the individual to bear more offspring. There are various hypotheses relating the rapid evolution of mouse lemur species to this sperm competition. [13] In sexually inactive females the vulva is sealed, during the reproductive cycle the vulva is open. The vaginal morphology is also based on the time of day. [14] Analysis of the genomes of five different mouse lemur species revealed that Madagascar's biogeography had been undergoing change before the arrival of humans. [15]

Species

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheirogaleidae</span> Family of lemurs

The Cheirogaleidae are the family of strepsirrhine primates containing the various dwarf and mouse lemurs. Like all other lemurs, cheirogaleids live exclusively on the island of Madagascar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gray mouse lemur</span> Small primate from Madagascar

The gray mouse lemur, grey mouse lemur or lesser mouse lemur is a small lemur, a type of strepsirrhine primate, found only on the island of Madagascar. Weighing 58 to 67 grams, it is the largest of the mouse lemurs, a group that includes the smallest primates in the world. The species is named for its mouse-like size and coloration and is known locally as tsidy, koitsiky, titilivaha, pondiky, and vakiandry. The gray mouse lemur and all other mouse lemurs are considered cryptic species, as they are nearly indistinguishable from each other by appearance. For this reason, the gray mouse lemur was considered the only mouse lemur species for decades until more recent studies began to distinguish between the species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pygmy mouse lemur</span> Species of lemur

The pygmy mouse lemur, also known as Peters' mouse lemur or dormouse lemur, is a primate weighing only 43–55 g (1.5–1.9 oz); it is the second smallest of the mouse lemurs. Its dorsal side is a rufous-brown colour, and creamy-white ventrally. It lives in dry deciduous forests of western Madagascar. It has been captured in the Tsingy de Bemaraha Nature Reserve, the Andramasy forests north of Belo sur Tsiribihina, and the border of heavily degraded deciduous forest and savanna at Aboalimena. It has also been found in other habitats, in mangroves in two localities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goodman's mouse lemur</span> Species of mammal

Goodman's mouse lemur is a species of mouse lemur from the region near Andasibe in eastern Madagascar. The species is named in honor of primatologist Steven M. Goodman. "Lehilahytsara" is a combination of the Malagasy words which mean "good" and "man". The finding was presented August 10, 2005, along with the discovery of the northern giant mouse lemur as a separate species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jolly's mouse lemur</span> Species of lemur

Jolly's mouse lemur is a species of mouse lemur from Mananjary and Kianjavato in Madagascar. The species is named in honor of primatologist Alison Jolly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mittermeier's mouse lemur</span> Species of lemur

Mittermeier's mouse lemur is a species of mouse lemur known only from Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve in Madagascar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simmons' mouse lemur</span> Species of lemur

Simmons' mouse lemur is a species of mouse lemur known only from Betampona Special Reserve, Analalava Special Community Reserve near Foulpointe, and Zahamena National Park in Madagascar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claire's mouse lemur</span> Species of lemur

Claire's mouse lemur, or the Nosy Be mouse lemur, is a newly described species of lemur from the genus of the mouse lemurs (Microcebus). It lives on the island Nosy Bé in the Antsiranana province of Madagascar, and on the mainland near the village of Manehoka, including Lokobe Reserve. The scientific type name, mamiratra, comes from Malagasy and means "clear and bright"; this refers the Theodore F. and Claire M. Hubbard Family Foundation, which has contributed to genetic research on Madagascar. This species is closely related to another new species, "M. species nova # 5"; which is related to the Sambirano mouse lemur, Microcebus sambiranensis, and the northern rufous mouse lemur, Microcebus tavaratra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern rufous mouse lemur</span> Species of lemur

The northern rufous mouse lemur, northern brown mouse lemur, or Tavaratra mouse lemur is found in northern Madagascar from the Ankarana Special Reserve in the west to the Manambato River in the northeast, and up to the Irodo River in the north of the Analamerana Special Reserve. The complete distribution range of M. tavaratra is still to be defined as some areas surrounding the described distribution have not been visited yet. For example, M. tavaratra has been reported to possibly occur from the Irodo up to the Montagne des Français. Its known distribution cover four protected areas – the Ankarana Special Reserve, and the Analamerana Special Reserve both managed by Madagascar National Parks, the Loky-Manambato protected area (Daraina), and the Andavakoeira-Andrafiamena protected area, both Managed by the NGO Fanamby

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danfoss's mouse lemur</span> Species of lemur

Danfoss's mouse lemur, or the Ambarijeby mouse lemur, is a species of mouse lemur endemic to Madagascar. It lives in western deciduous forest within a limited range between the Sofia River and the Maevarano River. This species has been found in substantial populations in the Ambarijevy, Anjajavy, and Beanamaolo forests in Madagascar. Their lifespan is about 5 years but can live up to 10 years. They are part of the infraorder called lemuriformes which represents 20% of the entire primates diversity and over 60% of the mammalian genera of Madagascar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MacArthur's mouse lemur</span> Species of lemur

MacArthur's mouse lemur, or the Anjiahely mouse lemur, is a species of mouse lemur known only from Makira Natural Park in northeastern Madagascar.

<i>Lemurs of Madagascar</i> (book) 2010 reference work and field guide

Lemurs of Madagascar is a 2010 reference work and field guide for the lemurs of Madagascar, giving descriptions and biogeographic data for the known species. The primary contributor is Russell Mittermeier, president of Conservation International, and the cover art and illustrations are drawn by Stephen D. Nash. Currently in its third edition, the book provides details about all known lemur species, general information about lemurs and their history, and tips for identifying species. Four related pocket field guides have also been released, containing color illustrations of each species, miniature range maps, and species checklists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taxonomy of lemurs</span> Science of describing species and defining the evolutionary relationships between taxa of lemurs

Lemurs were first classified in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus, and the taxonomy remains controversial today, with approximately 70 to 100 species and subspecies recognized, depending on how the term "species" is defined. Having undergone their own independent evolution on Madagascar, lemurs have diversified to fill many ecological niches normally filled by other types of mammals. They include the smallest primates in the world, and once included some of the largest. Since the arrival of humans approximately 2,000 years ago, lemurs have become restricted to 10% of the island, or approximately 60,000 square kilometers (23,000 sq mi), and many face extinction. Concerns over lemur conservation have affected lemur taxonomy, since distinct species receive increased conservation attention compared to subspecies.

The Anosy mouse lemur is a species of mouse lemur known only from the Manantantely Forest and Ivorona Forest in southeastern Madagascar, near Tôlanaro. Specimens were first collected in April 2007, and its discovery was announced in 2013 along with the Marohita mouse lemur. It is a relatively large mouse lemur and lives in the same region as the gray mouse lemur (M. murinus) and the reddish-gray mouse lemur (M. griseorufus), all three of which are found within 10 km (6.2 mi) of each other and are nearly identical in appearance. It has dark brownish fur on its back and light-colored fur on its underside. Nothing is known about its behavior. Its conservation status has not been evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), although its known habitat has degraded since 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marohita mouse lemur</span> Species of lemur

The Marohita mouse lemur is a species of mouse lemur known only from the Marohita Forest in eastern Madagascar, near the village of Marolambo. Specimens were first collected in December 2003, and its discovery was announced in 2013 along with the Anosy mouse lemur. It is a large mouse lemur, weighing up to 89 g (3.1 oz), and lives within the same area as the Goodman's mouse lemur (M. lehilahytsara), Simmons' mouse lemur (M. simmonsi), and the brown mouse lemur (M. rufus), all four of which are nearly identical in appearance. Its fur is rufous on its back and grayish-beige on its underside. Nothing is known about its behavior. Its conservation status was evaluated as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2012, before it was formally described, because its only known habitat had severely degraded between 2003 and 2012.

Ganzhorn's mouse lemur is a species of lemur described in 2016. The discovery was made by researchers at the German Primate Center. It was discovered in Madagascar among closely related species such as Madame Berthe's mouse lemur, already described in 2013. Due to their close resemblance, it was initially impossible to identify them as distinct species. It was only after genetic analyses that the species was established. The genetic study was done in collaboration with scientists at the University of Kentucky, the Duke Lemur Center and the University of Antananarivo in Madagascar.

The Nosy Boraha mouse lemur is a species of mouse lemur described in 2016 from Madagascar. It was discovered by a team of researchers at the German Primate Center. It was initially discovered among closely related species such as Madame Berthe's mouse lemur, Bemanasy mouse lemur, and Ganzhorn's mouse lemur. Morphological similarity made it impossible to identify them as distinct species. A genetic study was done in collaboration with scientists at the University of Kentucky, the Duke Lemur Center and the University of Antananarivo in Madagascar. The mtDNA sequencing revealed that the species was unique.

The Bemanasy mouse lemur, Microcebus manitatra, is a species of mouse lemur described in 2016 from Madagascar. It was discovered by a team of researchers at the German Primate Center. It was initially discovered among closely related species such as Madame Berthe's mouse lemur, Boraha mouse lemur, and Ganzhorn's mouse lemur. Morphological similarity made it impossible to identify them as distinct species. A genetic study was done in collaboration with scientists at the University of Kentucky, the Duke Lemur Center and the University of Antananarivo in Madagascar. The mtDNA sequencing revealed that the species was unique.

References

  1. ↑ "Checklist of CITES Species". CITES. UNEP-WCMC. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  2. 1 2 McKenna, MC; Bell, SK (1997). Classification of Mammals: Above the Species Level. Columbia University Press. p. 335. ISBN   978-0-231-11013-6.
  3. ↑ "IUCN 2014". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. International Union for Conservation of Nature. 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  4. 1 2 Groves, C. P. (2005). "Microcebus". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN   0-801-88221-4. OCLC   62265494.
  5. ↑ Schwitzer, C; Mittermeier, R. A.; Louis Jr., E. E.; Richardson, M. C. (2013). "Family Cheirogaleidae: Mouse, giant mouse, dwarf and fork-marked lemurs". In Mittermeier, Russell A.; Rylands, Anthony B.; Wilson, Don E. (eds.). Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Volume 3. Primates. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. p. 30. ISBN   978-84-96553-89-7.
  6. ↑ "Primate Factsheets: Mouse lemur (Microcebus) Taxonomy, Morphology, & Ecology". wisc.edu.
  7. ↑ Andrès, M; Gachot-Neveu, H; Perret, M (2001). "Genetic determination of paternity in captive grey mouse lemurs: pre-copulatory sexual competition rather than sperm competition in a nocturnal prosimian?". Behaviour. 138 (8): 1047–63. doi:10.1163/156853901753286560.
  8. ↑ "Yoder Lab – Research". duke.edu.
  9. ↑ Horvath, Julie E.; Weisrock, David W.; Embry, Stephanie L.; Fiorentino, Isabella; Balhoff, James P.; Kappeler, Peter; Wray, Gregory A.; Willard, Huntington F.; Yoder, Anne D. (2008). "Development and application of a phylogenomic toolkit: Resolving the evolutionary history of Madagascar's lemurs". Genome Research. 18 (3): 489–499. doi:10.1101/gr.7265208. PMC   2259113 . PMID   18245770.
  10. ↑ Schwitzer, C; Mittermeier, R. A.; Louis Jr., E. E.; Richardson, M. C. (2013). "Family Cheirogaleidae: Mouse, giant mouse, dwarf and fork-marked lemurs". In Mittermeier, Russell A.; Rylands, Anthony B.; Wilson, Don E. (eds.). Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Volume 3. Primates. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. p. 42. ISBN   978-84-96553-89-7.
  11. ↑ Montgomery, S. H.; Capellini, I.; Venditti, C.; Barton, R. A.; Mundy, N. I. (2011). "Adaptive Evolution of Four Microcephaly Genes and the Evolution of Brain Size in Anthropoid Primates". Molecular Biology and Evolution. 28: 625–638. doi:10.1093/molbev/msq237. PMID   20961963.
  12. ↑ Ezran, Camille; Karanewsky, Caitlin J.; Pendleton, Joseph L.; Sholtz, Alex; Kransnow, Maya R.; Willick, Jason; Razafindrakoto, Andriamahery; Zohdy, Sarah; Albertelli, Megan A. (June 2017). "The Mouse Lemur, a Genetic Model Organism for Primate Biology, Behavior, and Health". Genetics. 206 (2). Mark A. Krasnow also contributed as a writer: 651–664. doi:10.1534/genetics.116.199448. PMC   5499178 . PMID   28592502.
  13. ↑ Folia Primatol (Basel). 2003 Sep–Dec;74(5–6):355-66. Mating system in mouse lemurs: theories and facts, using analysis of paternity. Andrès M1, Solignac M, Perret M.
  14. ↑ Rina Evasoa, Mamy; Radespiel, Ute; Hasiniaina, Alida F.; Rasoloharijaona, Solofonirina; Randrianambinina, Blanchard; Rakotondravony, Romule; Zimmermann, Elke (2018-05-16). "Variation in reproduction of the smallest-bodied primate radiation, the mouse lemurs (Microcebus spp.): A synopsis". American Journal of Primatology. 80 (7): e22874. doi:10.1002/ajp.22874. ISSN   0275-2565. PMID   29767414. S2CID   21709451.
  15. ↑ Golembiewski, Kate (18 July 2016). "Ridiculously Cute Mouse Lemurs Hold Key to Madagascar's Past". Field Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  16. ↑ Mittermeier, Russell A.; Ganzhorn, Jörg U.; Konstant, William R.; Glander, Kenneth; Tattersall, Ian; Groves, Colin P.; Rylands, Anthony B.; Hapke, Andreas; Ratsimbazafy, Jonah; Mayor, Mireya I.; Louis, Edward E.; Rumpler, Yves; Schwitzer, Christoph; Rasoloarison, Rodin M. (December 2008). "Lemur Diversity in Madagascar". International Journal of Primatology. 29 (6): 1607–1656. doi:10.1007/s10764-008-9317-y. hdl: 10161/6237 . S2CID   17614597.
  17. 1 2 Louis, Edward E. (2008). "Revision of the Mouse Lemurs, Microcebus (Primates, Lemuriformes), of Northern and Northwestern Madagascar with Descriptions of Two New Species at Montagne d'Ambre National Park and Antafondro Classified Forest" (PDF). Primate Conservation. 23: 19–38. doi:10.1896/052.023.0103. S2CID   84533039. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-02-05.
  18. 1 2 3 Stafford, Ned (2006-11-20). "Nature News: Lemur boom on Madagascar". Nature : news061120–15. doi:10.1038/news061120-15. S2CID   84701328 . Retrieved 2007-12-10.
  19. 1 2 3 Scott Hotaling; Mary E. Foley; Nicolette M. Lawrence; Jose Bocanegra; Marina B. Blanco; Rodin Rasoloarison; Peter M. Kappeler; Meredith A. Barrett; Anne D. Yoder; David W. Weisrock (2016). "Species discovery and validation in a cryptic radiation of endangered primates: coalescent-based species delimitation in Madagascar's mouse lemurs". Molecular Ecology. 25 (9): 2029–2045. Bibcode:2016MolEc..25.2029H. doi: 10.1111/mec.13604 . PMID   26946180. S2CID   43912903.
  20. ↑ Radespiel, U.; Ratsimbazafy, J. H.; Rasoloharijaona, S.; Raveloson, H.; Andriaholinirina, N.; Rakotondravony, R.; Randrianarison, R. M.; Randrianambinina, B. (2011). "First indications of a highland specialist among mouse lemurs (Microcebus spp.) and evidence for a new mouse lemur species from eastern Madagascar". Primates. 53 (2): 157–170. doi:10.1007/s10329-011-0290-2. PMID   22198090. S2CID   8473176.
  21. ↑ "New Primate Species Discovered on Madagascar". Archived from the original on 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
  22. 1 2 Rasoloarison, Rodin M.; Weisrock, David W.; Yoder, Anne D.; Rakotondravony, Daniel; Kappeler, Peter M. (2013). "Two New Species of Mouse Lemurs (Cheirogaleidae: Microcebus) from Eastern Madagascar". International Journal of Primatology . 34 (3): 1–15. doi:10.1007/s10764-013-9672-1. S2CID   17860060.
  23. 1 2 Pappas, Stephanie (26 March 2013). "Tiny Lemur Twins Are 2 New Species". LiveScience .
  24. ↑ Schüßler, Dominik; Blanco, Marina B.; Salmona, Jordi; Poelstra, Jelmer; Andriambeloson, Jean B.; Miller, Alex; Randrianambinina, Blanchard; Rasolofoson, David W.; Mantilla-Contreras, Jasmin; Chikhi, Lounès; Louis, Edward E. (2020). "Ecology and morphology of mouse lemurs (Microcebus spp.) in a hotspot of microendemism in northeastern Madagascar, with the description of a new species". American Journal of Primatology. 82 (9): e23180. doi: 10.1002/ajp.23180 . ISSN   1098-2345. PMID   32716088.
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