Margot Marsh's Mouse Lemur
Encyclopedia
Margot Marsh's mouse lemur or the Antafondro mouse lemur (Microcebus margotmarshae) is a species of mouse lemur
endemic to Madagascar
. Its holotype
was first collected on 21 May 2006, proposed in 2006 by Andriantompohavana et al., and was formally described in 2008 by E. Lewis, Jr., et al. According to genetic tests, it is genetically distinct from its closest sister taxon, Claire's mouse lemur
(M. mamiratra).
It is a small mouse lemur, weighing approximately 41 grams (1.4 oz), with a body length of 8.4 cm (3.3 in) and a tail length of 14 cm (5.5 in). It is found in Antafondro Classified Forest Special Reserve in northern Madagascar.
for the species, collected on 21 May 2006, weighed 49 g (1.7 oz), had a body length of 8.4 cm (3.3 in) and a tail length of 14.3 cm (5.6 in). Other measurements for the individual include head crown of 3.2 cm (1.3 in), muzzle
length of 9.5 mm (0.374015748031496 in), ear length of 15.4 mm (0.606299212598425 in), and ear width of 8.7 mm (0.34251968503937 in).
The dorsal and tail pelage
is mostly reddish-orange with gray undertones. The ventral pelage is white to cream. The head is mostly bright reddish-orange, and its ears are small. The muzzle and the fur around the eyes are light brown, and there is a small, bright white spot on the nose ridge between the eyes.
of Madagascar.
The northern end of Margot Marsh's mouse lemur's range is bordered by the range of the Sambirano mouse lemur
(M. sambiranensis), forming a significant species barrier
between it and its genetically closest sister taxon, Claire's mouse lemur
(M. mamiratra), farther to the north.
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 21 May 2006, proposed in 2006 by Andriantompohavana et al., and was formally described in 2008 by E. Lewis, Jr., et al. According to genetic tests, it is genetically distinct from its closest sister taxon, Claire's mouse lemur
Claire's Mouse Lemur
Claire's mouse lemur , or Nosy Be mouse lemur, is a newly described species of lemur from the genus of the mouse lemurs . It lives on the island Nosy Bé in the Antsiranana province of Madagascar, and on the mainland near the village of Manehoka, including Lokobe Reserve...
(M. mamiratra).
It is a small mouse lemur, weighing approximately 41 grams (1.4 oz), with a body length of 8.4 cm (3.3 in) and a tail length of 14 cm (5.5 in). It is found in Antafondro Classified Forest Special Reserve in northern Madagascar.
Etymology
The name margotmarshae was chosen in honor of Margot Marsh, who made generous lifetime contributions to primate conservation initiatives in many different countries. Upon her death in 1995, the Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation was founded to continue supporting her efforts to help safeguard the future of threatened primates.Anatomy and physiology
Margot Marsh's mouse lemur weighs approximately 41 grams (1.4 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 21 May 2006, weighed 49 g (1.7 oz), had a body length of 8.4 cm (3.3 in) and a tail length of 14.3 cm (5.6 in). Other measurements for the individual include head crown of 3.2 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 9.5 mm (0.374015748031496 in), ear length of 15.4 mm (0.606299212598425 in), and ear width of 8.7 mm (0.34251968503937 in).
The dorsal and tail 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 mostly reddish-orange with gray undertones. The ventral pelage is white to cream. The head is mostly bright reddish-orange, and its ears are small. The muzzle and the fur around the eyes are light brown, and there is a small, bright white spot on the nose ridge between the eyes.
Distribution
Margot Marsh's mouse lemur is found in the Antafondro Classified Forest Special Reserve, south of the Andranomalaza River and north of the Maevarano River in the Antsiranana ProvinceAntsiranana 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 northern end of Margot Marsh's mouse lemur's range is bordered by the range of 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), 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 taxon, Claire's mouse lemur
Claire's Mouse Lemur
Claire's mouse lemur , or Nosy Be mouse lemur, is a newly described species of lemur from the genus of the mouse lemurs . It lives on the island Nosy Bé in the Antsiranana province of Madagascar, and on the mainland near the village of Manehoka, including Lokobe Reserve...
(M. mamiratra), farther to the north.