Arnhold's Mouse Lemur
Encyclopedia
Arnhold's mouse lemur or Montagne d’Ambre mouse lemur (Microcebus arnholdi) is a species of mouse lemur
endemic to Madagascar
. Its holotype
was first collected on 27 November 2005, and was first described in 2008. According to genetic tests, it is genetically distinct from its closest sister taxa, the Sambirano mouse lemur
(M. sambiranensis).
It is a medium-sized mouse lemur, weighing approximately 49.7 grams (1.8 oz), with a body length of 8.1 cm (3.2 in) and a tail length of 12.9 cm (5.1 in). It is found in the montane rainforest
of Montagne d’Ambre National Park
and Montagne d’Ambre Special Reserve in northern Madagascar.
s helped create Conservation International
's Healthy Communities Initiative and Conservation Stewards' Program.
for the species, collected on 27 November 2005, weighed 71 g (2.5 oz), a body length of 8.1 cm (3.2 in) and a tail length of 12.9 cm (5.1 in). Other measurements include head crown of 3.3 cm (1.3 in), muzzle
length of 9.4 mm (0.37007874015748 in), ear length of 17.8 mm (0.700787401574803 in), and ear width of 10.1 mm (0.397637795275591 in).
The dorsal pelage
is dark brown, red and gray, with a dark brown midline dorsal stripe running down the base of the tail. The tail has a dark brown tip. The ventral pelage is white to cream, with gray undertones. The head is red, with dark brown on the muzzle and around the eyes. There is also a white nose ridge that stops at the distal end of the muzzle.
of Montagne d’Ambre National Park
and Montagne d’Ambre Special Reserve, northwest of the Irodo River in the Antsiranana Province
of Madagascar.
The southern end of the Arnhold's mouse lemur's range is bordered by the range of the northern rufous mouse lemur
(M. tavaratra), forming a significant species barrier
between it and its genetically closest sister taxa, the Sambirano mouse lemur
(M. sambiranensis), further to the southwest.
Mouse lemur
The mouse lemurs are nocturnal lemurs of the genus Microcebus. Like all lemurs, mouse lemurs are native to Madagascar.Mouse lemurs have a combined head, body and tail length of less than , making them the smallest primates ; however, their weight fluctuates in response to daylight duration.Mouse...
endemic to Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
. Its holotype
Holotype
A holotype is a single physical example of an organism, known to have been used when the species was formally described. It is either the single such physical example or one of several such, but explicitly designated as the holotype...
was first collected on 27 November 2005, and was first described in 2008. According to genetic tests, it is genetically distinct from its closest sister taxa, the Sambirano mouse lemur
Sambirano Mouse Lemur
The Sambirano mouse lemur is a small, recently discovered primate, and like the other mouse lemurs can only be found on the island of Madagascar. The dorsal side is both cinnamon and rufous-cinnamon, and is grey ventrally...
(M. sambiranensis).
It is a medium-sized mouse lemur, weighing approximately 49.7 grams (1.8 oz), with a body length of 8.1 cm (3.2 in) and a tail length of 12.9 cm (5.1 in). It is found in the montane rainforest
Cloud forest
A cloud forest, also called a fog forest, is a generally tropical or subtropical evergreen montane moist forest characterized by a persistent, frequent or seasonal low-level cloud cover, usually at the canopy level. Cloud forests often exhibit an abundance of mosses covering the ground and...
of Montagne d’Ambre National Park
Amber Mountain National Park
Amber Mountain National Park is a National Park in the Diana Region of northern Madagascar. The park is known for its water falls and crater lakes and is located 1000 km north of the capital, Antananarivo...
and Montagne d’Ambre Special Reserve in northern Madagascar.
Etymology
The name arnholdi was chosen in honor of Henry Arnhold of New York, whose focus on linking the well-being of people in developing countries to the protection of critically important biodiversity hotspotBiodiversity hotspot
A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans.The concept of biodiversity hotspots was originated by Norman Myers in two articles in “The Environmentalist” , revised after thorough analysis by Myers and others in...
s helped create Conservation International
Conservation International
Conservation International is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, which seeks to ensure the health of humanity by protecting Earth's ecosystems and biodiversity. CI’s work focuses on six key initiatives that affect human well-being: climate, food security, freshwater...
's Healthy Communities Initiative and Conservation Stewards' Program.
Anatomy and physiology
Arnhold's mouse lemur weighs approximately 49.7 grams (1.8 oz), although like other mouse lemurs, its weight will fluctuate depending upon the season. The holotypeHolotype
A holotype is a single physical example of an organism, known to have been used when the species was formally described. It is either the single such physical example or one of several such, but explicitly designated as the holotype...
for the species, collected on 27 November 2005, weighed 71 g (2.5 oz), a body length of 8.1 cm (3.2 in) and a tail length of 12.9 cm (5.1 in). Other measurements include head crown of 3.3 cm (1.3 in), muzzle
Snout
The snout, or muzzle, is the protruding portion of an animal's face, consisting of its nose, mouth, and jaw.-Terminology:The term "muzzle", used as a noun, can be ambiguous...
length of 9.4 mm (0.37007874015748 in), ear length of 17.8 mm (0.700787401574803 in), and ear width of 10.1 mm (0.397637795275591 in).
The dorsal pelage
Fur
Fur is a synonym for hair, used more in reference to non-human animals, usually mammals; particularly those with extensives body hair coverage. The term is sometimes used to refer to the body hair of an animal as a complete coat, also known as the "pelage". Fur is also used to refer to animal...
is dark brown, red and gray, with a dark brown midline dorsal stripe running down the base of the tail. The tail has a dark brown tip. The ventral pelage is white to cream, with gray undertones. The head is red, with dark brown on the muzzle and around the eyes. There is also a white nose ridge that stops at the distal end of the muzzle.
Distribution
Arnhold's mouse lemur is found in the montane rainforestCloud forest
A cloud forest, also called a fog forest, is a generally tropical or subtropical evergreen montane moist forest characterized by a persistent, frequent or seasonal low-level cloud cover, usually at the canopy level. Cloud forests often exhibit an abundance of mosses covering the ground and...
of Montagne d’Ambre National Park
Amber Mountain National Park
Amber Mountain National Park is a National Park in the Diana Region of northern Madagascar. The park is known for its water falls and crater lakes and is located 1000 km north of the capital, Antananarivo...
and Montagne d’Ambre Special Reserve, northwest of the Irodo River in the Antsiranana Province
Antsiranana Province
Antsiranana is a former province of Madagascar with an area of 43,406 km2. It had a population of 1,188,425 . Its capital was Antsiranana. Notable is Ankarana Reserve.Antsiranana Province bordered the following provinces:...
of Madagascar.
The southern end of the Arnhold's mouse lemur's range is bordered by the range of the northern rufous mouse lemur
Northern Rufous Mouse Lemur
The northern rufous mouse lemur , northern brown mouse lemur, or Tavaratra mouse lemur is found in North-western Madagascar in Ankarana Reserve....
(M. tavaratra), forming a significant species barrier
Speciation
Speciation is the evolutionary process by which new biological species arise. The biologist Orator F. Cook seems to have been the first to coin the term 'speciation' for the splitting of lineages or 'cladogenesis,' as opposed to 'anagenesis' or 'phyletic evolution' occurring within lineages...
between it and its genetically closest sister taxa, the Sambirano mouse lemur
Sambirano Mouse Lemur
The Sambirano mouse lemur is a small, recently discovered primate, and like the other mouse lemurs can only be found on the island of Madagascar. The dorsal side is both cinnamon and rufous-cinnamon, and is grey ventrally...
(M. sambiranensis), further to the southwest.