The golden-brown mouse lemur (Microcebus ravelobensis), also known as the (Lac) Ravelobe mouse lemur, is part of the Cheirogaleidae family, and the smallest species of lemur. It is arboreal, nocturnal and usually social.[4] It get its name from the color of its body. Like several other mouse lemurs, like the brown mouse lemur (Microcebus rufus), it is a small primate that has a brown dorsal side and a whitish-grey for its ventral side of the body. All lemurs live in Madagascar. This species was discovered in 1994.
The island of Madagascar is located off the southeastern coast of Africa. All species of lemur are indigenous to the island. The Golden-brown mouse lemur is isolated in the forest reserve of Ankarafantsika National Park, a dry deciduous forest located in northwestern Madagascar.[5] It shares the habitat with the gray mouse lemur (M. murinus), a sympatric species. Within the habitat that which both the golden-brown lemur and gray mouse lemur live, they occupy two very different niches showing divergent regional distribution and different population density patterns.[6] The golden-brown mouse lemur prefers habitat areas in lower latitudes that are humid and in close proximity to water resources. Whereas the gray mouse lemur populations increase with altitude and are located in drier habitats away from water sources.[6]
M. ravelobensis, as well as other species of mouse lemur have been classified as leaf or nest builders.[7][8][9] The golden-brown mouse lemur’s habitat is well dispersed among sexes and family groups, showing little sign of intra- or interspecific competition among overlapping territories.[7][9] In a 2009 study by S. Thoren et al. showed only lactating females were seen building nests, but studies suggest non-lactating females will also.[8] Nest building will take place in the early hours of the night and will take approximately 60 minutes to build. The nests are constructed of small branches and leaves from surrounding vegetation.[8] They will be occupied by lactating or dominant females, their offspring and mixed lineage group members for a period of 36 days.[8]
FeedingEdit
The golden-brown mouse lemurs are nocturnal creatures,[10] which means they sleep during the day and search for food at night. According to National Geographic, golden-brown mouse lemurs consume “insects, fruit, flowers, and other plants.” They are known to be mostly frugivorous primates (primarily fruit-eating), but they can be omnivorous as well.[11] The brown mouse lemur is able to store “thirty-five percent of their body weight” in the form of fat. This fat is stored in the lemur's hind legs and tail and is used for energy when food sources are scarce.
Anatomy and physiologyEdit
The golden-brown mouse lemur has been categorized as a separate species based on morphology [5] and genetics.[12] Its dorsal side is golden-brown, and yellowish-white ventrally. It has a white stripe running from the lower forehead to the muzzle. It weighs 40-70g depending on the season, and is similar in appearance to the gray mouse lemur, though it has a longer, thinner tail. It is unable to store fat in its tail like other mouse lemurs. It travels through the forest by leaping, unlike the gray mouse lemur. It is a nocturnal species, and builds its nests in dense patches of vines or dead leaves.
Sexual reproductionEdit
According to Matthew Esser, “Sexual maturity is reached after one year of age.” The brown mouse lemur also has an established mating ritual.[13] A male will use “soft squeak calls and tail-lashing” to signal the female. The female shows that she is willing to mate by “ano-genital rubbing and mouth wiping." When the mating has ended, the female will making a threatening sound. Some of the males who are more dominant will have multiple mates. ”Brown mouse lemurs mate between September and October.” The offspring are usually born between November and December. There are usually one to three young for each litter; females are capable of having one to two litters each year. In the winter months following their birth, the males of the species leave the areas where they were born.[13]
Social distributionEdit
There is a great variation in social patterns among nocturnal lemurs; the golden-brown mouse lemur is exceptional with its mixed-sex sleeping groups. M. ravelobensis has a well dispersed, inter-sexual sleeping pattern that promotes promiscuity was first categorized in 2004 by researchers Weidt, et al.[9] The golden-brown mouse lemur sleeps predominantly in tree branches or makes nests.[8] Because of this exposed environment male/female sleeping groups exist to aid in both thermoregulation of nests and decrease the chances of predation.[7][8] This observation has also been noted by Radespiel et al. (2003). Within the sleeping groups, there are several nest locations that individuals will switch between, but the members within the community never change.[7] This social spatial distribution leads to overlapping territories that develop a multi-family community within a given range.[7][9] Within this given range, studies show little or no competition between males during mating season .[9] Though golden-brown mouse lemurs exhibit a social sleeping pattern, their active nocturnal lifestyle is typically solitary.
Anthropogenic threatsEdit
M. ravelobensis appears to be affected by deforestation as it has led to an edge effect which has shown to have increased by body mass of females in edge habitats. [14] Although deforestation seems to benefit the species in one specific location, the overall effects of deforestation lead to disruption in biodiversity, population density and dispersal and decreased genetic diversity.[15] IUCN red list website states that, “The principal threat to this species is habitat loss due to slash-and-burn agriculture.” [16] They are also threatened by natural predators in their habitat. Some of the well-known predators are “fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox), ring tailed mongoose(Galidia elegans), owls (Strigiformes), and Madagascar harrier hawk (Polyboroides radiatus)." [17] Some say that brown mouse lemurs could be influential in spreading the seeds of plants and fruits they eat. As a result of deforestation they are at risk of extinction according to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Wikispecies has information related to Ravelobe Golden-brown mouse lemur.
^ abBlanco, 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 ravelobensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T39751A115574811. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T39751A115574811.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
^"Checklist of CITES Species". CITES. UNEP-WCMC. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
^Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 113. ISBN0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
^Myers, P.,"Cheirogaleidae" Animal Diversity, Accessed June 01, 2013
^ abZimmermann, E. S. Cepok, N. Rakotoarison, V. Zietemann, U. Radespiel. “Sympatric Mouse Lemurs in North-West Madagascar: a new rufous mouse lemur species (Microcebus ravelobensis).” Folia Primatologica 69. 2, Mar 1998, 106-114
^ abRakotondravony, R., U. Radespiel. “Varying Patterns of Coexistence of Two Mouse Lemur Species (Microcebus ravelobensis and M. murinus) in a Heterogeneous Landscape.” American Journal of Primatology 71, 2009, 928–938.
^ abcdeBraune, P., S. Schmidt, E. Zimmermann. “Spacing and group coordination in a nocturnal primate, the golden-brown mouse lemur (Microcebus ravelobensis): the role of olfactory and acoustic signals”. Ecology and Sociobiology 58, 2005, 587–596.
^ abcdefThoren, S., F. Quietzsch, U. Radespiel. “Leaf Nest Use and Construction in the Golden-Brown Mouse Lemur (Microcebus ravelobensis) in the Ankarafantsika National Park”. American Journal of Primatology 72.1, 2010, 48–55.
^ abcdeWeidt, A., N. Hagenah, B. Randrianambinina, U. Radespiel, E. Zimmermann. “Social Organization of the Golden Brown Mouse Lemur (Microcebus ravelobensis).” American Journal of Physical Anthropology 123, 2004, 40–51.
^“Mouse Lemurs, Mouse Lemur Pictures, Mouse Lemur Facts- National Geographic.” National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015.
^"Support the." Microcebus Rufus (Brown Mouse-lemur, Rufous Mouse-lemur, Rufous Mouse Lemur, Russet Mouse-lemur). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015.
^Pastorini, J., R. Martin, P. Ehresmann, E. Zimmermann, M. Forstner. “Molecular Phylogeny of the Lemur Family Cheirogaleidae (Primates) Based on Mitochondrial DNA Sequences”. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 19, 2001, 45-56.
^ abEsser, Matthew. "Microcebus Rufus (brown Mouse Lemur)." Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015.
^Lehman, Shawn (2014). "Edge Effects on Morphometrics and Body Mass in Two Sympatric Species of Mouse Lemurs in Madagascar". Folia Primatologica. 85 (5): 277–291. doi:10.1159/000360082. PMID 25591622. S2CID 21202831.
^Fahrig, Leanore (November 2003). "Effects of Habitat Fragmentation on Biodiversity". Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics. 34 (1): 487–515. doi:10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.34.011802.132419.
^"Support the." Microcebus Rufus (Brown Mouse-lemur, Rufous Mouse-lemur, Rufous Mouse Lemur, Russet Mouse-lemur). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015.
^ abEsser, Matthew. "Microcebus Rufus (brown Mouse Lemur)." Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015.
golden, brown, mouse, lemur, golden, brown, mouse, lemur, microcebus, ravelobensis, also, known, ravelobe, mouse, lemur, part, cheirogaleidae, family, smallest, species, lemur, arboreal, nocturnal, usually, social, name, from, color, body, like, several, other. The golden brown mouse lemur Microcebus ravelobensis also known as the Lac Ravelobe mouse lemur is part of the Cheirogaleidae family and the smallest species of lemur It is arboreal nocturnal and usually social 4 It get its name from the color of its body Like several other mouse lemurs like the brown mouse lemur Microcebus rufus it is a small primate that has a brown dorsal side and a whitish grey for its ventral side of the body All lemurs live in Madagascar This species was discovered in 1994 Golden brown mouse lemurConservation statusVulnerable IUCN 3 1 1 CITES Appendix I CITES 2 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass MammaliaOrder PrimatesSuborder StrepsirrhiniFamily CheirogaleidaeGenus MicrocebusSpecies M ravelobensisBinomial nameMicrocebus ravelobensisZimmerman et al 1998 3 Distribution of M ravelobensis 1 Geographic rangeGray mouse lemurBaby brown mouse lemur Contents 1 Geographic range and habitat 2 Feeding 3 Anatomy and physiology 4 Sexual reproduction 5 Social distribution 6 Anthropogenic threats 7 References 8 External linksGeographic range and habitat EditThe island of Madagascar is located off the southeastern coast of Africa All species of lemur are indigenous to the island The Golden brown mouse lemur is isolated in the forest reserve of Ankarafantsika National Park a dry deciduous forest located in northwestern Madagascar 5 It shares the habitat with the gray mouse lemur M murinus a sympatric species Within the habitat that which both the golden brown lemur and gray mouse lemur live they occupy two very different niches showing divergent regional distribution and different population density patterns 6 The golden brown mouse lemur prefers habitat areas in lower latitudes that are humid and in close proximity to water resources Whereas the gray mouse lemur populations increase with altitude and are located in drier habitats away from water sources 6 M ravelobensis as well as other species of mouse lemur have been classified as leaf or nest builders 7 8 9 The golden brown mouse lemur s habitat is well dispersed among sexes and family groups showing little sign of intra or interspecific competition among overlapping territories 7 9 In a 2009 study by S Thoren et al showed only lactating females were seen building nests but studies suggest non lactating females will also 8 Nest building will take place in the early hours of the night and will take approximately 60 minutes to build The nests are constructed of small branches and leaves from surrounding vegetation 8 They will be occupied by lactating or dominant females their offspring and mixed lineage group members for a period of 36 days 8 Feeding EditThe golden brown mouse lemurs are nocturnal creatures 10 which means they sleep during the day and search for food at night According to National Geographic golden brown mouse lemurs consume insects fruit flowers and other plants They are known to be mostly frugivorous primates primarily fruit eating but they can be omnivorous as well 11 The brown mouse lemur is able to store thirty five percent of their body weight in the form of fat This fat is stored in the lemur s hind legs and tail and is used for energy when food sources are scarce Anatomy and physiology EditThe golden brown mouse lemur has been categorized as a separate species based on morphology 5 and genetics 12 Its dorsal side is golden brown and yellowish white ventrally It has a white stripe running from the lower forehead to the muzzle It weighs 40 70g depending on the season and is similar in appearance to the gray mouse lemur though it has a longer thinner tail It is unable to store fat in its tail like other mouse lemurs It travels through the forest by leaping unlike the gray mouse lemur It is a nocturnal species and builds its nests in dense patches of vines or dead leaves Sexual reproduction EditAccording to Matthew Esser Sexual maturity is reached after one year of age The brown mouse lemur also has an established mating ritual 13 A male will use soft squeak calls and tail lashing to signal the female The female shows that she is willing to mate by ano genital rubbing and mouth wiping When the mating has ended the female will making a threatening sound Some of the males who are more dominant will have multiple mates Brown mouse lemurs mate between September and October The offspring are usually born between November and December There are usually one to three young for each litter females are capable of having one to two litters each year In the winter months following their birth the males of the species leave the areas where they were born 13 Social distribution EditThere is a great variation in social patterns among nocturnal lemurs the golden brown mouse lemur is exceptional with its mixed sex sleeping groups M ravelobensis has a well dispersed inter sexual sleeping pattern that promotes promiscuity was first categorized in 2004 by researchers Weidt et al 9 The golden brown mouse lemur sleeps predominantly in tree branches or makes nests 8 Because of this exposed environment male female sleeping groups exist to aid in both thermoregulation of nests and decrease the chances of predation 7 8 This observation has also been noted by Radespiel et al 2003 Within the sleeping groups there are several nest locations that individuals will switch between but the members within the community never change 7 This social spatial distribution leads to overlapping territories that develop a multi family community within a given range 7 9 Within this given range studies show little or no competition between males during mating season 9 Though golden brown mouse lemurs exhibit a social sleeping pattern their active nocturnal lifestyle is typically solitary Anthropogenic threats EditM ravelobensis appears to be affected by deforestation as it has led to an edge effect which has shown to have increased by body mass of females in edge habitats 14 Although deforestation seems to benefit the species in one specific location the overall effects of deforestation lead to disruption in biodiversity population density and dispersal and decreased genetic diversity 15 IUCN red list website states that The principal threat to this species is habitat loss due to slash and burn agriculture 16 They are also threatened by natural predators in their habitat Some of the well known predators are fossa Cryptoprocta ferox ring tailed mongoose Galidia elegans owls Strigiformes and Madagascar harrier hawk Polyboroides radiatus 17 Some say that brown mouse lemurs could be influential in spreading the seeds of plants and fruits they eat As a result of deforestation they are at risk of extinction according to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species CITES 17 References Edit Wikispecies has information related to Ravelobe Golden brown mouse lemur 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 ravelobensis IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020 e T39751A115574811 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2020 2 RLTS T39751A115574811 en Retrieved 19 November 2021 Checklist of CITES Species CITES UNEP WCMC Retrieved 18 March 2015 Groves C P 2005 Wilson D E Reeder D M eds Mammal Species of the World A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference 3rd ed Baltimore Johns Hopkins University Press p 113 ISBN 0 801 88221 4 OCLC 62265494 Myers P Cheirogaleidae Animal Diversity Accessed June 01 2013 a b Zimmermann E S Cepok N Rakotoarison V Zietemann U Radespiel Sympatric Mouse Lemurs in North West Madagascar a new rufous mouse lemur species Microcebus ravelobensis Folia Primatologica 69 2 Mar 1998 106 114 a b Rakotondravony R U Radespiel Varying Patterns of Coexistence of Two Mouse Lemur Species Microcebus ravelobensis and M murinus in a Heterogeneous Landscape American Journal of Primatology 71 2009 928 938 a b c d e Braune P S Schmidt E Zimmermann Spacing and group coordination in a nocturnal primate the golden brown mouse lemur Microcebus ravelobensis the role of olfactory and acoustic signals Ecology and Sociobiology 58 2005 587 596 a b c d e f Thoren S F Quietzsch U Radespiel Leaf Nest Use and Construction in the Golden Brown Mouse Lemur Microcebus ravelobensis in the Ankarafantsika National Park American Journal of Primatology 72 1 2010 48 55 a b c d e Weidt A N Hagenah B Randrianambinina U Radespiel E Zimmermann Social Organization of the Golden Brown Mouse Lemur Microcebus ravelobensis American Journal of Physical Anthropology 123 2004 40 51 Mouse Lemurs Mouse Lemur Pictures Mouse Lemur Facts National Geographic National Geographic N p n d Web 07 Dec 2015 Support the Microcebus Rufus Brown Mouse lemur Rufous Mouse lemur Rufous Mouse Lemur Russet Mouse lemur The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species n d Web 07 Dec 2015 Pastorini J R Martin P Ehresmann E Zimmermann M Forstner Molecular Phylogeny of the Lemur Family Cheirogaleidae Primates Based on Mitochondrial DNA Sequences Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 19 2001 45 56 a b Esser Matthew Microcebus Rufus brown Mouse Lemur Animal Diversity Web University of Michigan Museum of Zoology n d Web 07 Dec 2015 Lehman Shawn 2014 Edge Effects on Morphometrics and Body Mass in Two Sympatric Species of Mouse Lemurs in Madagascar Folia Primatologica 85 5 277 291 doi 10 1159 000360082 PMID 25591622 S2CID 21202831 Fahrig Leanore November 2003 Effects of Habitat Fragmentation on Biodiversity Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics 34 1 487 515 doi 10 1146 annurev ecolsys 34 011802 132419 Support the Microcebus Rufus Brown Mouse lemur Rufous Mouse lemur Rufous Mouse Lemur Russet Mouse lemur The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species n d Web 07 Dec 2015 a b Esser Matthew Microcebus Rufus brown Mouse Lemur Animal Diversity Web University of Michigan Museum of Zoology n d Web 07 Dec 2015 External links EditMicrocebus rufus at Animal Diversity Web Data related to Microcebus rufus at Wikispecies Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Golden brown mouse lemur amp oldid 1166424159, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
