Microcebus sambiranensis, 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

9.

Sambirano Mouse Lemur

Microcebus sambiranensis

French: Microcébe du Sambirano / German: Sambirano-Mausmaki / Spanish: Lémur raton de Sambirano

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

Madagascar, province of Mahajanga, Manongarivo Special Reserve, Bekolosy Forest (14°02° S, 48° 16° E).

A population from the forests of Mahilaka-Maromandia has recently been proposed as a distinct species. Monotypic.

Distribution. NW Madagascar, known only from the Manongarivo Special Reserve, N of the Andranomalaza River and S of the Sambirano River; there are possibly isolated populations on the Ampasindava Peninsula and in the Tsaratanana Massif.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 11-12 cm, tail 13.5-14.5 cm; weight 45 g. The Sambirano Mouse Lemur is a medium-sized mouse lemur. Fur is long and dense, being a bright reddish-cinnamon above with a poorly defined amber midline stripe that extends from just beyond the shoulders to the end of the tail. The ventral coat is a dull whitish-beige. There is a pale patch between the eyes, which are surrounded by dark orbital rings. The crown and ears are amber.

Habitat. Humid and dry forest; occasionally found in disturbed habitats and in forests bordering farmland.

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 Sambirano 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 [UCN Red List. The Sambirano Mouse Lemur is threatened mainly by habitat loss due to slash-and-burn agriculture, firewood collection, and charcoal production. The only protected area where it is known to occur is the Manongarivo Special Reserve. Its population size is unknown.

Bibliography. Andriantompohavana et al. (2006), Goodman & Soarimalala (2002), Groves (2001), Louis, Coles et al. (2006), Louis, Engberg et al. (2008), Mittermeier et al. (2010), Randrianambinina, Rasoloharijaona et al. (2003), 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. NW Madagascar, known only from the Manongarivo Special Reserve, N of the Andranomalaza River and S of the Sambirano River; there are possibly isolated populations on the Ampasindava Peninsula and in the Tsaratanana Massif.