Topic
Microcebus murinus
About: Microcebus murinus is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 372 publications have been published within this topic receiving 11328 citations.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
TL;DR: The genetic structure of the solitary grey mouse lemur, a small, nocturnal primate endemic to western Madagascar, is studied to find a more complex population structure than what has been previously reported in studies performed on smaller spatial scales.
Abstract: Information on genetic structure can be used to complement direct inferences on social systems and behaviour. We studied the genetic structure of the solitary grey mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus), a small, nocturnal primate endemic to western Madagascar, with the aim of getting further insight on its breeding structure. Tissue samples from 167 grey mouse lemurs in an area covering 12.3 km2 in Kirindy Forest were obtained from trapping. The capture data indicated a noncontinuous distribution of individuals in the study area. Using 10 microsatellite markers, significant genetic differentiation in the study area was demonstrated and dispersal was found to be significantly male biased. Furthermore, we observed an overall excess of homozygotes in the total population (F(IT) = 0.131), which we interpret as caused by fine-scale structure with breeding occurring in small units. Evidence for a clumped distribution of identical homozygotes was found, supporting the notion that dispersal distance for breeding was shorter than that for foraging, i.e. the breeding neighbourhood size is smaller than the foraging neighbourhood size. In conclusion, we found a more complex population structure than what has been previously reported in studies performed on smaller spatial scales. The noncontinuous distribution of individuals and the effects of social variables on the genetic structure have implications for the interpretation of social organization and the planning of conservation activities that may apply to other solitary and endangered mammals as well.
280 citations
1 Jan 1980
TL;DR: Annual variations in food production and composition in the forest of the west coast of Madagascar are presented in relation to different feeding strategies of five sympatric species of nocturnal prosimians, which involve combination of physiological and behavioral characteristics.
Abstract: Annual variations in food production and composition in the forest of the west coast of Madagascar are presented in relation to different feeding strategies of five sympatric species of nocturnal prosimians. These strategies involve combination of physiological and behavioral characteristics, which have been analyzed in the laboratory, and are presented in separate chapters in this volume. In Cheirogaleus medius and, to a lesser extent, in Microcebus murinus, the annual cycle of activity and lethargy plays a major role in the adaptation to variations in food availability. Nevertheless, seasonal variations in the patterns of food choices are a necessary complement to cope with overall changes in composition of the forest resources. In Microcebus coquereli and Phaner jurcijer, behavioral specializations on insect secretions and plant exudates, which are the basis of their respective diets, are also complemented by additional cycles involving physiological variations. The most folivorous species, Lepilemur ruficaudatus, is also subject to variations in physiological/behavioral patterns, following the environmental changes in climate and plant production.
207 citations
TL;DR: Seven species of Microcebus from western Madagascar are recognized, including a previously synonymized species, and 3 spp.
Abstract: The genus Microcebus (mouse lemurs) are the smallest extant primates. Until recently, they were considered to comprise two different species: Microcebus murinus, confined largely to dry forests on the western portion of Madagascar, and M. rufus, occurring in humid forest formations of eastern Madagascar. Specimens and recent field observations document rufous individuals in the west. However, the current taxonomy is entangled due to a lack of comparative material to quantify intrapopulation and intraspecific morphological variation. On the basis of recently collected specimens of Microcebus from 12 localities in portions of western Madagascar, from Ankarana in the north to Beza Mahafaly in the south, we present a revision using external, cranial, and dental characters. We recognize seven species of Microcebus from western Madagascar. We name and describe 3 spp., resurrect a previously synonymized species, and amend diagnoses for Microcebus murinus (J. F. Miller, 1777), M. myoxinus Peters, 1852, and M. ravelobensis Zimmermann et al., 1998.
206 citations
TL;DR: Variations in prolactin strongly suggest that olfaction interacts with the photoperiodic regulation of reproductive function, leading to changes in the sensitivity of the negative feedback effect of testosterone on gonadotrophin secretion.
Abstract: Environmental factors that regulate the sexual activity of male lesser mouse lemurs have been studied experimentally with more than 60 captive animals over an 8-year period. In this nocturnal Malagasy
204 citations
TL;DR: Results from studies of both healthy and pathological ageing research on the grey mouse lemur demonstrated that this animal is a unique model to study age-dependent changes in endocrine systems, biological rhythms, thermoregulation, sensorial, cerebral and cognitive functions.
163 citations
Related Topics (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2020 | 17 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2016 | 13 |