Microcebus macarthurii, Radespiel et al., 2008

Russell A. Mittermeier, Anthony B. Rylands & Don E. Wilson, 2013, Cheirogaleidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 3 Primates, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 28-65 : 56-57

18.

Anjiahely Mouse Lemur

Microcebus macarthurii

French: Microcebe de MacArthur / German: Anjiahely-Mausmaki / Spanish: Lémur raton de MacArthur

Other common names: MacArthur's Mouse Lemur

Taxonomy. Microcebus macarthurii Radespiel et al., 2008 ,

Madagascar, province of Antsiranana, Anjiahely (c.15° 24’ S, 49° 29’ E).

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. NE Madagascar, known only from its type locality near the village of Anjiahely ¢.26 km W of Maroantsetra. It appears to be sympatric with Mittermeier’s Mouse Lemur (M. mittermereri) at Anjiahely.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 11-12 cm, tail 14-7 cm; weight ¢.53 g. The Anjiahely Mouse Lemur is a large mouse lemur. The dorsum is covered in short, dense, reddish-brown fur, with a broad, dark rufous midline stripe from head to tail. A lighter reddish color extends toward the outer upper legs and arms. The ventrum is yellowish-orange, except for the creamywhite ventral throat and genital region. The head is rufous, turning orange on the cheeks;it is dark brownish around the eyes, but with the characteristic white interocular stripe ofthe genus. Ears are a darker rufous. The tail is reddish-brown and densely furred, being darker on the dorsal than the ventral side, and middle brown toward the tip. Hands and feet are sparsely haired and grayish-white.

Habitat. Lowland rainforest.

Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but undoubtedly fruits and insects are eaten, and possibly other items identified in the diets of other members of the genus.

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. Anjiahely Mouse Lemur is nocturnal and arboreal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I. The conservation status of the Anjiahely Mouse Lemur has not yet been assessed on The IUCN Red List. However, at the [IUCN/ SSC Lemur Red-Listing Workshop held in July 2012, the Anjiahely Mouse Lemur was assessed as Endangered due to its small extent of occurrence and ongoing decline. It is not definitely known from any protected areas, but it may ultimately prove to be the form found in the Nosy Mangabe Special Reserve. It may be found in the forests of Makira, which are currently under temporary government protection awaiting final conservation status.

Bibliography. Mittermeier et al. (2010), Radespiel et al. (2008).

Figures

1. Gray Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus), 2. Gray-brown Mouse Lemur (Microcebus griseorufus), 3. Madame Berthe’s Mouse Lemur (Microcebus berthae), 4. Peters’s Mouse Lemur (Microcebus myoxinus), 5. Golden-brown Mouse Lemur (Microcebus ravelobensis), 6. Bongolava Mouse Lemur (Microcebus bongolavensis), 7. Ambarijeby Mouse Lemur (Microcebus danfossi), 8. Margot Marsh’s Mouse Lemur (Mucrocebus margotmarshae), 9. Sambirano Mouse Lemur (Microcebus sambiranensis), 10. Nosy Be Mouse Lemur (Microcebus mamaratra), 11. Tavaratra Mouse Lemur (Microcebus tavaratra), 12. Montagne d’Ambre Mouse Lemur (Microcebus arnholdi), 13. Rufous Mouse Lemur (Mucrocebus rufus), 14. Jolly’s Mouse Lemur (Microcebus jollyae), 15. Gerp’s Mouse Lemur (Microcebus gerpi), 16. Goodman’s Mouse Lemur (Microcebus lehilahytsara), 17. Simmons’s Mouse Lemur (Microcebus simmonsi), 18. Anjiahely Mouse Lemur (Mucrocebus macarthuri), 19. Mittermeier’s Mouse Lemur (Microcebus mittermeieri)

Distribution. NE Madagascar, known only from its type locality near the village of Anjiahely ¢.26 km W of Maroantsetra. It appears to be sympatric with Mittermeier’s Mouse Lemur (M. mittermereri) at Anjiahely.