Mouse lemur

Mouse lemur
Mouse lemurs[1]
Microcebus myoxinus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Strepsirrhini
Infraorder: Lemuriformes
Family: Cheirogaleidae
Genus: Microcebus
É. Geoffroy, 1834[2]
Species

19; see article for list[3][4]
Synonyms[1][2]
  • Murilemur Gray, 1870
  • Scartes Swainson, 1835
  • Myscebus Lesson, 1840
  • Azema Gray, 1870
  • Gliscebus Lesson, 1840
  • Myocebus Wagner, 1841

The mouse lemurs are nocturnal lemurs of the genus Microcebus. Like all lemurs, mouse lemurs are native to Madagascar.[1]

Mouse lemurs have a combined head, body and tail length of less than 27 centimetres (11 in), making them the smallest primates[5] (the smallest species being Madame Berthe's mouse lemur); however, their weight fluctuates in response to daylight duration.[6]

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.

Species

References

  1. ^ a b c Groves, C. (2005). "Microcebus". In Wilson, D. E., & Reeder, D. M, eds. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=12100016. 
  2. ^ a b McKenna, MC; Bell, SK (1997). Classification of Mammals: Above the Species Level. Columbia University Press. pp. 335. ISBN 0-231-11013-6. 
  3. ^ a b 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. 
  4. ^ a b c Louis Jr., E.; Engberg, S.; McGuire, S.; McCormick, M.; Randriamampionona, R.; Ranaivoarisoa, J.; Bailey, C.; Mittermeier, R. & Lei, R. (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". Primate Conservation 23: 19–38. doi:10.1896/052.023.0103. http://www.primate-sg.org/PDF/PC23.new.microcebus.V3.pdf. 
  5. ^ http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/mouse_lemur/taxon
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "New Primate Species Discovered on Madagascar". http://www.pressrelations.de/new/standard/result_main.cfm?aktion=jour_pm&r=331600. 
  8. ^ a b c "Nature News: Lemur boom on Madagascar". Nature. 2006-11-20. http://www.nature.com/news/2006/061120/full/news061120-15.html. Retrieved 2007-12-10. 

External links


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