The fat-tailed dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus medius), also known as the lesser dwarf lemur, western fat-tailed dwarf lemur, or spiny forest dwarf lemur, is endemic to Madagascar.
Recent research has shown that C. mediushibernates (or aestivates), even though in the tropical winter of Madagascar, temperatures remain high. It is the first tropical mammal and only primate in which hibernation has been demonstrated. However, the Malagasy winter is dry, and it appears that the lemur is avoiding the drought. It can hibernate for seven months. Unlike animals that hibernate in temperate regions, the lemur does not control its body temperature while hibernating, and if the tree hole in which it is sleeping is not well insulated, its body temperature fluctuates in accordance with the outside temperature.[4] During torpor, this lemur has been found to periodically enter REM sleep; non-REM sleep has not been observed, a pattern opposite that found in hibernating ground squirrels.[5] The REM sleep episodes occurred during periods of higher ambient temperature (averaging 27 C, versus an average of 20 C during nonsleeping intervals while in torpor).[5]
C. medius has a significantly longer lifespan than other strepsirrhinine or nonstrepsirrhinine primates of similar size, and this longevity is thought to be related to its status as the only primate that is an obligatory hibernator. Its maximum lifespan in captivity is nearly 30 years.[6]
Like other fat-tailed lemurs, C. medius is able to store fat in its tail, and this provides a source of energy during its period of dormancy.
Reproductionedit
Although most C. medius live in areas where the environment is dry, there are those who live in tropical rain forest. Through research, it is understood that these animals hibernation period is linked to their reproduction strategies. In the rainforest these lemurs are in more in an active state than they would be in a dry forest. This level of high activity from the lemurs is linked to higher reproduction rates according to Dr. Lahann.[7]
Taxonomyedit
Cheirogaleus adipicaudatus
Between 2000 and 2009, a population of dwarf lemur was known as a separate species, the southern fat-tailed dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus adipicaudatus). It was described by taxonomist Colin Groves as having a pelage coloration that is dark dorsally and gray ventrally, with a vaguely expressed dorsal stripe running down the back, a relatively short white median facial stripe, and black eye-rings.[8] However, in 2009, Groeneveld et al. demonstrated genetically that Cheirogaleus adipicaudatus was a synonym of Cheirogaleus medius, so the southern fat-tailed dwarf lemur is no longer recognized as a species.[9][10]
Traitsedit
This species is nocturnal, with a diet of insects, other small animals, fruits and flowers. The adult lemur mass is 160 grams. [11]
Referencesedit
Wikispecies has information related to Lesser dwarf lemur.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cheirogaleus medius.
^ abBlanco, M.; Dolch, R.; Ganzhorn, J.; Greene, L.K.; Le Pors, B.; Lewis, R.; Louis, E.E.; 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). "Cheirogaleus medius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T163023599A115588562. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T163023599A115588562.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
^Dausmann, K. H.; Glos, J.; Ganzhorn, J. U. & Heldmaier, G. (2004). "Hibernation in a tropical primate". Nature. 429 (6994): 825–826. doi:10.1038/429825a. PMID 15215852. S2CID 4366123.
^ abKrystal, A. D.; Schopler, B.; Kobbe, S.; Williams, C.; Rakatondrainibe, H.; Yoder, A. D.; Klopfer, P. (2013). Seebacher, Frank (ed.). "The Relationship of Sleep with Temperature and Metabolic Rate in a Hibernating Primate". PLOS ONE. 8 (9): e69914. Bibcode:2013PLoSO...869914K. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0069914. PMC3762832. PMID 24023713.
^Blanco, M. B.; Zehr, S. M. (2015-03-18). "Striking longevity in a hibernating lemur". Journal of Zoology. 296 (3): 177–188. doi:10.1111/jzo.12230. ISSN 0952-8369.
^Lahann, Petra; Dausmann, Kathrin H. (2011). "Live fast, die young: flexibility of life history traits in the fat-tailed dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus medius)". Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 65 (2): 381–390. doi:10.1007/s00265-010-1055-4. ISSN 0340-5443. S2CID 24706629.
^Groves, Colin (2000). "The genus Cheirogaleus: Unrecognized biodiversity in dwarf lemurs". International Journal of Primatology. 21 (6): 943–962. doi:10.1023/A:1005559012637. S2CID 6657094.
Schwensow, Nina; Fietz, Joanna; Dausmann, Kathrin; Sommer, Simone (September 2008). "MHC-associated mating strategies and the importance of overall genetic diversity in an obligate pair-living primate". Evolutionary Ecology. 22 (5): 617–636. doi:10.1007/s10682-007-9186-4. S2CID 42537968.
Fietz, J.; Tataruch, F.; Dausmann, K.; Ganzhorn, J. (February 2003). "White adipose tissue composition in the free-ranging fat-tailed dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus medius; Primates), a tropical hibernator". Journal of Comparative Physiology B. 173 (1): 1–10. doi:10.1007/s00360-002-0300-1. PMID 12592437. S2CID 10020160.
December 18, 2023
tailed, dwarf, lemur, tailed, dwarf, lemur, cheirogaleus, medius, also, known, lesser, dwarf, lemur, western, tailed, dwarf, lemur, spiny, forest, dwarf, lemur, endemic, madagascar, tailed, dwarf, lemurconservation, statusvulnerable, iucn, cites, appendix, cit. The fat tailed dwarf lemur Cheirogaleus medius also known as the lesser dwarf lemur western fat tailed dwarf lemur or spiny forest dwarf lemur is endemic to Madagascar Fat Tailed Dwarf LemurConservation statusVulnerable IUCN 3 1 1 CITES Appendix I CITES 2 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass MammaliaOrder PrimatesSuborder StrepsirrhiniFamily CheirogaleidaeGenus CheirogaleusSpecies C mediusBinomial nameCheirogaleus mediusE Geoffroy 1812 3 Fat tailed dwarf lemur range 1 Synonymsminor E Geoffroy 1812 samati Grandidier 1867 Contents 1 Hibernation 2 Reproduction 3 Taxonomy 4 Traits 5 References 6 Further readingHibernation editRecent research has shown that C medius hibernates or aestivates even though in the tropical winter of Madagascar temperatures remain high It is the first tropical mammal and only primate in which hibernation has been demonstrated However the Malagasy winter is dry and it appears that the lemur is avoiding the drought It can hibernate for seven months Unlike animals that hibernate in temperate regions the lemur does not control its body temperature while hibernating and if the tree hole in which it is sleeping is not well insulated its body temperature fluctuates in accordance with the outside temperature 4 During torpor this lemur has been found to periodically enter REM sleep non REM sleep has not been observed a pattern opposite that found in hibernating ground squirrels 5 The REM sleep episodes occurred during periods of higher ambient temperature averaging 27 C versus an average of 20 C during nonsleeping intervals while in torpor 5 C medius has a significantly longer lifespan than other strepsirrhinine or nonstrepsirrhinine primates of similar size and this longevity is thought to be related to its status as the only primate that is an obligatory hibernator Its maximum lifespan in captivity is nearly 30 years 6 Like other fat tailed lemurs C medius is able to store fat in its tail and this provides a source of energy during its period of dormancy Reproduction editAlthough most C medius live in areas where the environment is dry there are those who live in tropical rain forest Through research it is understood that these animals hibernation period is linked to their reproduction strategies In the rainforest these lemurs are in more in an active state than they would be in a dry forest This level of high activity from the lemurs is linked to higher reproduction rates according to Dr Lahann 7 Taxonomy edit nbsp Cheirogaleus adipicaudatusBetween 2000 and 2009 a population of dwarf lemur was known as a separate species the southern fat tailed dwarf lemur Cheirogaleus adipicaudatus It was described by taxonomist Colin Groves as having a pelage coloration that is dark dorsally and gray ventrally with a vaguely expressed dorsal stripe running down the back a relatively short white median facial stripe and black eye rings 8 However in 2009 Groeneveld et al demonstrated genetically that Cheirogaleus adipicaudatus was a synonym of Cheirogaleus medius so the southern fat tailed dwarf lemur is no longer recognized as a species 9 10 Traits editThis species is nocturnal with a diet of insects other small animals fruits and flowers The adult lemur mass is 160 grams 11 References edit nbsp Wikispecies has information related to Lesser dwarf lemur nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cheirogaleus medius a b Blanco M Dolch R Ganzhorn J Greene L K Le Pors B Lewis R Louis E E 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 Cheirogaleus medius IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020 e T163023599A115588562 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2020 2 RLTS T163023599A115588562 en Retrieved 19 November 2021 Harcourt C 1990 Thornback J ed Lemurs of Madagascar and the Comoros The IUCN Red Data Book PDF World Conservation Union ISBN 978 2 88032 957 0 OCLC 28425691 Groves C P 2005 Order Primates In Wilson D E Reeder D M eds Mammal Species of the World A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference 3rd ed Johns Hopkins University Press p 112 ISBN 978 0 8018 8221 0 OCLC 62265494 Dausmann K H Glos J Ganzhorn J U amp Heldmaier G 2004 Hibernation in a tropical primate Nature 429 6994 825 826 doi 10 1038 429825a PMID 15215852 S2CID 4366123 a b Krystal A D Schopler B Kobbe S Williams C Rakatondrainibe H Yoder A D Klopfer P 2013 Seebacher Frank ed The Relationship of Sleep with Temperature and Metabolic Rate in a Hibernating Primate PLOS ONE 8 9 e69914 Bibcode 2013PLoSO 869914K doi 10 1371 journal pone 0069914 PMC 3762832 PMID 24023713 Blanco M B Zehr S M 2015 03 18 Striking longevity in a hibernating lemur Journal of Zoology 296 3 177 188 doi 10 1111 jzo 12230 ISSN 0952 8369 Lahann Petra Dausmann Kathrin H 2011 Live fast die young flexibility of life history traits in the fat tailed dwarf lemur Cheirogaleus medius Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 65 2 381 390 doi 10 1007 s00265 010 1055 4 ISSN 0340 5443 S2CID 24706629 Groves Colin 2000 The genus Cheirogaleus Unrecognized biodiversity in dwarf lemurs International Journal of Primatology 21 6 943 962 doi 10 1023 A 1005559012637 S2CID 6657094 Mittermeier R A Louis E E Richardson M Schwitzer C et al 2010 Lemurs of Madagascar Illustrated by S D Nash 3rd ed Conservation International p 183 ISBN 978 1 934151 23 5 OCLC 670545286 Groeneveld L F Weisrock D W Rasoloarison R M Yoder A D Kappeler P M 2009 Species delimitation in lemurs multiple genetic loci reveal low levels of species diversity in the genus Cheirogaleus BMC Evolutionary Biology 9 30 30 doi 10 1186 1471 2148 9 30 PMC 2652444 PMID 19193227 Lemurs of Madagascar PDF Further reading editSchwensow Nina Fietz Joanna Dausmann Kathrin Sommer Simone September 2008 MHC associated mating strategies and the importance of overall genetic diversity in an obligate pair living primate Evolutionary Ecology 22 5 617 636 doi 10 1007 s10682 007 9186 4 S2CID 42537968 Fietz J Tataruch F Dausmann K Ganzhorn J February 2003 White adipose tissue composition in the free ranging fat tailed dwarf lemur Cheirogaleus medius Primates a tropical hibernator Journal of Comparative Physiology B 173 1 1 10 doi 10 1007 s00360 002 0300 1 PMID 12592437 S2CID 10020160 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Fat tailed dwarf lemur amp oldid 1189710987, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
