Microcebus tavaratra, Rasoloarison, Goodman & Ganzhorn, 2000

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 : 54-55

11.

Tavaratra Mouse Lemur

Microcebus tavaratra

French: Microcébe du Nord / German: Nordlicher Mausmaki / Spanish: Lémur raton septentrional

Other common names: Northern Brown Mouse Lemur, Northern Rufous Mouse Lemur

Taxonomy. Microcebus tavaratra Rasoloarison, Goodman & Ganzhorn, 2000 ,

Madagascar, province of Antsiranana, RS Ankarana Special Reserve, Campement des Anglais (13° 05° S, 49° 06’ E).

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. N Madagascar, known from the regions of Ankarana, Analamerana, Andavakoera, and Andrafiamena.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 12-14 cm, tail 15-16 cm; weight 54 g. The Tavaratra Mouse Lemur is similar to the Golden-brown Mouse Lemur ( M. ravelobensis ), although slightly smaller and less robust. Fur is long and dense, brownish-black dorsally with a distinct brownish midline stripe that extends either from the crown or from between the shoulders to the base of the tail. The ventral fur is typically bicolored, a mixture of whitish-beige and gray. The crown and ears are rufous, the area between the eyesis grayish-white, and there are distinct black markings around the anterior portions of the orbits. Fur on hands and feet is grayish-white.

Habitat. Tropical dry deciduous lowland and gallery forest at elevations of 20-250 m, which include deep canyons and steep rugged limestone pinnacles.

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. The Tavaratra 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. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. However, at the IUCN/SSC Lemur Red-Listing Workshop held in July 2012, the Tavaratra Mouse Lemur was assessed as vulnerable rather than Endangered, based on newly available data on its distribution range, which is larger than previously assumed. The Tavaratra Mouse Lemuris threatened mainly by habitat loss dueto illegal logging, mining activities, bush fires, and charcoal production. It is known to occur in Ankarana and Analamerana special reserves and Andrafiamena Classified Forest, which is slated to become a national park. It may be sympatric with the Gray Mouse Lemur ( M. murinus ) in Ankarana region.

Bibliography. Andriantompohavana et al. (2006), Groves (2001), Louis et al. (2008), Mittermeier et al. (2010), Rasoloarison etal. (2000).

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. N Madagascar, known from the regions of Ankarana, Analamerana, Andavakoera, and Andrafiamena.