THE MOUSE LEMURS

 

The mouse lemurs are nocturnal lemurs of the genus Microcebus. Like all lemurs, mouse lemurs are native to Madagascar.^[4]

Mouse lemurs have a combined head, body and tail length of 20–30 centimetres (7.9–11.8 in) and weigh 30–65 grams (1.1–2.3 oz),^[5] making them the smallest primates^[6] (the smallest species being Madame Berthe's mouse lemur); however, their weight fluctuates in response to daylight duration.^[7] Lemurs and mouse lemurs were announced by the IUCN as the most endangered of all vertebrates. There were two known mouse lemur species in 1992; by 2016, there were 24.^[8] It was estimated that the 24 mouse lemur species evolved from a common ancestor 18–11 million years ago.^[9]

 

 

 Mouse lemurs are omnivorous; their diets are diverse and include insect secretions, arthropods, small vertebrates, gum, fruit, flowers, nectar, and also leaves and buds depending on the season.^[10]

Mouse lemurs are considered cryptic species—with very little morphological differences between the various species, but with high genetic diversity. Recent evidence points to differences in their mating calls, which is very diverse. Since mouse lemurs are nocturnal, they might not have evolved to look differently, but had evolved various auditory and vocal systems.^{[citation needed]}

Mouse lemur brains can weigh less than 2 grams (0.071 oz) while their testes can weigh 2.5 grams (0.088 oz).^[11]

As written in Genetics, mouse lemurs help to provide a more extensive understanding of the biology, behavior, and health of primates. Mouse lemurs are categorized as prosimian primates. They are among the smallest and most rapidly developing primates and are becoming more abundant in Madagascar and around the world. These tiny creatures are helping to prove valuable information about the biology and evolution of primates through the analysis of their phenotypes and mutations, especially as a model organism for human medical research.^[12]

Mouse lemurs are also known for their sperm competition. During breeding seasons, the testicles of male mouse lemurs increase in size to about 130% of their normal size. This was speculated to increase the sperm production thereby conferring an advantage for the individual to bear more offspring. There are various hypotheses relating the rapid evolution of mouse lemur species to this sperm competition.^[13] In sexually inactive females the vulva is sealed, during the reproductive cycle the vulva is open. The vaginal morphology is also based on the time of day.^[14] Analysis of the genomes of five different mouse lemur species revealed that Madagascar’s biogeography had been undergoing change before the arrival of humans.^[15]

 

Species

 

 

 

 

 

 Combined distribution of Microcebus^[3]