Scientists from the University of Kentucky, the American Duke Lemur Center, the German Primate Center and the University of Antananarivo in Madagascar have described three new species of mouse-lemurs or Microcebus , which live in the south and east of the great island. African Indian. With this finding, the Microcebus family increases to 24 species. Mouse lemurs are distinguished by their nocturnal habits and their hidden life, to the point that 20 years ago only two species of these small primates were known. New genetic methods and successive expeditions to the most remote areas of Madagascar have allowed these new findings. The three new relatives of the clan are Microcebus ganzhorni , Microcebus manitatra, and Microcebus boraha .
Mouse lemurs, known generically as Microcebus, are small nocturnal primates found only on the island of Madagascar. They all look alike, because of their dark skin and big eyes . Only DNA analysis can reliably distinguish some species from others, although there is a debate among experts about the differences that a population has to present in order to be considered its own species. Peter Kappeler, Head of the Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit at the German Primate Center, explained that his genetic analyzes confirm the existence of the three new species described, as well as the 21 previously known species.
According to Kappeler, the genetic techniques they use could facilitate the identification of many other species in other groups of animals. Three years ago, the same research group described two new species of mouse lemur. Likewise, scientists from the German Primate Center discovered in 1993 the Microcebus berthae , which at 30 grams is the smallest primate in the world . In addition to improved analytical methods, expeditions to remote and inaccessible forests contribute to a deeper understanding of the diversity of these distant human relatives. On the other hand, this new finding is an important element to better understand how biodiversity evolved in Madagascar . According to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) red list of threatened species , more than 100 known species of lemurs are in danger of extinction and represent the most threatened group of mammals in the world. Deforestation and hunting are the main causes of the threat to these animals in one of the poorest countries in the world.
Caption: a specimen of Microcebus ganzhorni .
Credit: G. Donati
