Pygmy mouse lemur

Pygmy mouse lemur
CITES Appendix I (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Primates
Suborder:Strepsirrhini
Family:Cheirogaleidae
Genus:Microcebus
Species: M. myoxinus
Binomial name
Microcebus myoxinus
Peters, 1852[3]
Distribution of M. myoxinus[1]

Pygmy mouse lemur (Microcebus myoxinus), also known as Peters' mouse lemur or dormouse lemur, is a primate weighing only 43–55 g (1.5–1.9 oz); it is the second smallest of the mouse lemurs.[4] Its dorsal side is a rufous-brown colour, and creamy-white ventrally. It lives in dry deciduous forests.

The pygmy mouse lemur measures around 12–13 cm (4.7–5.1 in) (head-body length).[4] Its small size and nocturnal nature made it difficult to locate for over a century, and was rediscovered in the Kirindy forest in western Madagascar in 1993. They are believed to inhabit other parts of the island, but so far have only been discovered in a localized area.

The lemur rests during the day, and it has a tendency to sleep in the open, which increases the risk of predation; although this danger is somewhat mitigated by sleeping alone. It can also use the abandoned nests of the Coquerel's giant mouse lemur (Mirza coquereli).

References

  1. 1 2 Baden, A.; et al. (2014). "Microcebus myoxinus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2014: e.T13325A16113437. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T13325A16113437.en. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  2. ↑ "Checklist of CITES Species". CITES. UNEP-WCMC. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  3. ↑ Groves, C.P. (2005). Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M., eds. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 113. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
  4. 1 2 Mittermeier, R.A.; Konstant, W.R.; Hawkins, F.; Louis, E.E.; et al. (2006). Lemurs of Madagascar. Illustrated by S.D. Nash (2nd ed.). Conservation International. ISBN 1-881173-88-7. OCLC 883321520.


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