Danfoss's mouse lemur
| Danfoss' mouse lemur | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Primates |
| Family: | Cheirogaleidae |
| Genus: | Microcebus |
| Species: | M. danfossi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Microcebus danfossi Olivieri et al., 2007[3]
| |
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| Distribution of M. danfossi[1] | |
Danfoss's mouse lemur (Microcebus danfossi), 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.[4]This species has been found in substantial populations in the Ambarijevy, Anjajavy, and Beanamaolo forests in Madagascar.[5]
Habitat
Their average individual home range from 50 to 400 ha (120 to 990 acres) of dry deciduous forests elevated up to 780 m (2,560 ft).[citation needed] Their habitat can be separated into sixteen forest fragments. They tend to take shelter in tree holes where they spend most of their days to preserve their energy.
Diet
Dry deciduous forests are poor in resources which limits the species' diet, yet mouse lemurs in general have a quite diverse diet including insect secretions, arthropods, small vertebrates, fruits and flowers.[citation needed] Danfoss’ mouse lemur is said to be particularly fond of bananas as it is often the food of choice in captures for research projects.[citation needed]
Description
Microcebus danfossi belongs to the genus of the smallest primates on the planet. However, compared to the other species from the same genus, it is a relatively large. It is a reddish mouse lemur with a total length of 25 to 29 cm (9.8 to 11.4 in), including a 15 to 17 cm (5.9 to 6.7 in) tail.[4] The Danfoss' mouse lemur has short, dense fur, and a white stripe running between the eyes.[6] The species has the overall same physical characteristics as other species of mouse lemurs but they all present high levels of genetic diversity.[citation needed] Their metabolism functions in a certain way that enables them to save energy and water by changing their body temperature to ambient levels.
Reproduction
Their reproduction period can be quite long from may to October, even sometimes November and depends less on seasons than other lemur species since their habitat is near a humid, low-altitude forest with more resources available to them. They share the same reproduction schedule as others such as M. ravelobensis and M. bongolavensis. Their reproduction generally starts around 1 years old and gestate for a bout 60 days. Most females give birth every year, creating a new generation of danfoss mouse lemur approximately every 1 to 5 years.
Behavior
Social organizations
Microcebus danfossi are nocturnal solitary foragers that live in dispersed social organisations eventhough they often create regular sleeping groups composed by either only related females, related males and females or alone. In fact, most females only interact with related females meaning from the same sleeping group. They tend to avoid encounters with females from neighboring groups. Considering their behavior in the broad sense of the word, it is relatively similar to other microcebus species in the north western regions when it comes to conflict and agression (M. myoxinus, M. ravelobensis, M. bongolavensis). However, it seems that male sleeping groups show less social tolerance even if most sleeping groups are female dominant. The danfoss’ mouse lemur communicates by sound and odors to form these groups.
Infant care
The weaning period lasts around several weeks and is provided by the mother even though some males were observed grooming, carrying and guarding. The limited weaning period gives little time for infants to socialize. In order for the mother to eat and feed its infant(s) they adopt the system called infant parking. It consists in leaving the infant(s) in their nest, tree hole, while the mother is gone foraging.
Threats
Their main predators are raptors (owls, hawks, eagles), snakes (boas) and carnivores (mongooses and fossa) as well as introduced carnivores (dogs and cats). In fact predation rates concerning mouse lemurs are the highest amongst all primates mostly due to their small size and limited number of other mammal preys of approximately the same size. Nevertheless, the species’ main threat today is human induced. Indeed, an estimation states that 90% of Madagascar’s primary vegetation has already been lost. This includes the dry deciduous forest, the only habitat for danfoss’ mouse lemur.The important loss of habitat is mostly due to agriculture and pasture. Furthermore, the species is also hunted for the exotic pet trade eventhough the deforestation is the main issue.
External links
References
- ^ a b Blanco, M.; Dolch, R.; Ganzhorn, J.; Greene, L.K.; Le Pors, B.; Lewis, R.; Radespiel, U.; Rafalinirina, H.A.; Raharivololona, B.; Rakotoarisoa, G.; Ralison, J.; Randriahaingo, H.N.T.; Rasoloarison, R.M.; Razafindrasolo, M.; Sgarlata, G.M.; Wright, P.; Zaonarivelo, J. (2020). "Microcebus danfossi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020 e.T136347A120487417. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T136347A120487417.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "Checklist of CITES Species". CITES. UNEP-WCMC. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
- ^ Mittermeier, R.; Ganzhorn, J.; Konstant, W.; Glander, K.; Tattersall, I.; Groves, C.; Rylands, A.; Hapke, A.; Ratsimbazafy, J.; Mayor, M.; Louis, E.; Rumpler, Y.; Schwitzer, C. & Rasoloarison, R. (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.
- ^ a b Garbutt, Nick (2007). Mammals of Madagascar, A Complete Guide. p. 99.
- ^ Randrianambinina, B.; Rasoloharijaona, S.; Rakotondravony, R.; Zimmermann, E.; Radespiel, U. (2010). "Abundance and conservation status of two newly described lemur species in northwestern Madagascar (Microcebus danfossi, Lepilemur grewcockorum)". Madagascar Conservation & Development. 5 (2). doi:10.4314/mcd.v5i2.63138. ISSN 1662-2510.
- ^ Olivieri, Gillian; Zimmermann, Elke; Randrianambinina, Blanchard; Rasoloharijaona, Solofonirina; Rakotondravony, Daniel; Guschanski, Katerina; Radespiel, Ute (2007-04-01). "The ever-increasing diversity in mouse lemurs: Three new species in north and northwestern Madagascar". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 43 (1): 309–327. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.10.026. ISSN 1055-7903. PMID 17197200.
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