Living in tiny fragments: a glimpse at the ecology of Goodman's mouse lemurs (Microcebus lehilahytsara) in the relic forest of Ankafobe, Central Highlands, Madagascar.
Cheirogaleid
Ecological flexibility
Radio collar
Savannah
Tracking
Journal
Primates; journal of primatology
ISSN: 1610-7365
Titre abrégé: Primates
Pays: Japan
ID NLM: 0401152
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Nov 2021
Nov 2021
Historique:
received:
16
05
2021
accepted:
02
09
2021
pubmed:
21
9
2021
medline:
26
11
2021
entrez:
20
9
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Habitat fragmentation is one of the major types of anthropogenic change, though fragmented landscapes predate human intervention. At present, the Central Highlands of Madagascar are covered by extensive grasslands interspersed with small discrete forest patches of unknown antiquity. Ankafobe, an actively protected site, comprises two such fragments of 12 and 30 ha, respectively, known to harbor three lemur species and other endemic wildlife. At this location, we conducted a survey of resident Goodman's mouse lemurs, Microcebus lehilahytsara, to determine baseline behavioral and ecological conditions for this isolated population. By studying primates in forest fragments, investigators can characterize the effects of shrinking habitats and decreasing connectivity on species diversity and survival, thus providing a glimpse into the potential resilience of species in the face of anthropogenic disturbance. Investigating the behavioral ecology of Goodman's mouse lemurs across their geographic range could help us understand their metabolic and ecological flexibility and predict species long-term survival prospects. We conducted night transect walks, using capture techniques and telemetry, to track eight radio-collared individuals. Preliminary density estimates based on a limited number of sightings (n = 18) were 2.19 ind/ha, and home range assessments ranged between 0.22 and 3.67 ha. Mouse lemurs traveled an average of 425 m nightly during the 5-h tracking periods and primarily fed on fruits of the mistletoe Bakerella clavata. The finding that Goodman's mouse lemurs apparently thrive in the seasonally cold and arid forest fragments in the Central Highlands indicates that they may be among the most tolerant and adaptable lemur species in Madagascar. These results point towards an exciting research program that focuses on ecological tolerance as a mechanism for long-term species survival.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34541622
doi: 10.1007/s10329-021-00947-1
pii: 10.1007/s10329-021-00947-1
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
887-896Informations de copyright
© 2021. Japan Monkey Centre.
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