MacArthur mouse lemur
| MacArthur mouse lemur | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Microcebus macarthurii | ||||||||||||
| Radespiel et al., 2008 |
The MacArthur Mausmaki ( Microcebus macarthurii ) is an on Madagascar living primate species from the kind of mouse lemurs within the group of lemurs . The species was first described in 2008 by researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover , the name honors the founders of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation , which financially supported research into the species.
MacArthur lemurs are, like all mouse lemurs, very small primates; the rounded head is characterized by large ears and eyes. Their short fur is reddish-brown on the top and yellowish-white on the underside. The head is reddish and turns orange on the cheeks, a white stripe runs between the eyes. The head body length is 11 to 12 centimeters, the tail is longer at around 14.5 centimeters, it is red-brown in color and densely hairy. The weight of these animals is 50 to 60 grams.
So far the species is only known from the Makira region in eastern Madagascar, where it occurs in tropical rainforests . Little is known about their way of life. Mouse lemurs are generally nocturnal tree dwellers that mostly feed on fruits and other parts of plants as well as insects in an omnivorous way.
The newly discovered species is endangered by slash and burn, mining and hunting.
literature
- Ute Radespiel, Gillian Olivieri, David W. Rasolofoson, Gilbert Rakotondratsimba, Odon Rakotonirainy, Solofonirina Rasoloharijaona, Blanchard Randrianambinina, Jonah H. Ratsimbazafy, Felix Ratelolahy, Tahirihasina Randriamboavonjy, Tovonanahary Rasolofoharivelo, Mathias Craul, Lucien Rakotozafy and Rose M. Randrianarison: Exceptional diversity of mouse lemurs ( Microcebus spp.) in the Makira region with the description of one new species. In: American Journal of Primatology. 70, 11, 2008, ISSN 0275-2565 , pp. 1033-1046.