Microcebus murinus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

View Printer Friendly

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	PRIMATES	CHEIROGALEIDAE

Scientific Name:

Microcebus murinus

Species Authority:

(J.F. Miller, 1777)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Gray Mouse-lemur, Grey Mouse-lemur, Lesser Mouse-lemur
French	–	Microcèbe Murin, Petit Microcèbe
Spanish	–	Maki Ratón, Makisratone

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

Andrainarivo, C., Andriaholinirina, V.N., Feistner, A., Felix, T., Ganzhorn, J., Garbutt, N., Golden, C., Konstant, B., Louis Jr., E., Meyers, D., Mittermeier, R.A., Perieras, A., Princee, F., Rabarivola, J.C., Rakotosamimanana, B., Rasamimanana, H., Ratsimbazafy, J., Raveloarinoro, G., Razafimanantsoa, A., Rumpler, Y., Schwitzer, C., Thalmann, U., Wilmé, L. & Wright, P.

Reviewer/s:

Mittermeier, R.A. & Rylands, A.B. (Primate Red List Authority)

Contributor/s:

Justification:
Listed as Least Concern as the species is thought to be widespread, common and adaptable, and there are no major threats to the species. However, given the impact of habitat loss within the range of the species, it is likely that the species is currently in decline.

History:

1990

–

Abundant (IUCN 1990)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is distributed from about the Onilahy River along the entire west coast to the north perhaps as far as Ankarafantsika National Park. A disjunct population is also found in the southeast up to the littoral forests of the Mandena Conservation Zone (Mittermeier et al. 2008).
Countries:	Native: Madagascar
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	M. murinus is adaptable, widespread, and abundant, making it one of the least threatened of Madagascar’s lemurs. Recent density estimates range from 167 individuals/km² (Ampijoroa forestry station adjacent Ankarafantsika National Park) to 712 individuals/km² (Kirindy Forest/CFPF), suggesting that this species remains one of Madagascar’s most abundant small mammals (Radespiel 2000; Eberle and Kappeler 2001).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

M. murinus is adaptable, widespread, and abundant, making it one of the least threatened of Madagascar’s lemurs. Recent density estimates range from 167 individuals/km² (Ampijoroa forestry station adjacent Ankarafantsika National Park) to 712 individuals/km² (Kirindy Forest/CFPF), suggesting that this species remains one of Madagascar’s most abundant small mammals (Radespiel 2000; Eberle and Kappeler 2001).

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	M. murinus inhabits lowland tropical dry forest, sub-arid thorn scrub, gallery forest, spiny forest and secondary forest formations. They are also present in plantations. Studies at Ampijoroa also indicate that individuals may take shelter in three to nine different tree holes within their range and remain in a given shelter for several days in succession. Females tend to share nests with several conspecifics, while males tend to sleep alone (Radespiel et al. 1998). After a gestation of approximately 60 days, typically two young are born.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

M. murinus inhabits lowland tropical dry forest, sub-arid thorn scrub, gallery forest, spiny forest and secondary forest formations. They are also present in plantations. Studies at Ampijoroa also indicate that individuals may take shelter in three to nine different tree holes within their range and remain in a given shelter for several days in succession. Females tend to share nests with several conspecifics, while males tend to sleep alone (Radespiel et al. 1998). After a gestation of approximately 60 days, typically two young are born.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	There are no major threats to this species. Although M. murinus is reported to inhabit secondary forests and degraded habitats, there is some evidence that decreased habitat quality may have adverse effects on population dynamics. According to Ganzhorn and Schmid (1998), fewer large tree holes in secondary forests result in fewer opportunities to save energy through periods of torpor, and may increase levels of stress and mortality. In the west of the range, habitat is being lost due to yearly burning for slash-and-burn and cattle grazing. There is some limited offtake for the pet-trade, especially in Fort-dauphin.

Major Threat(s):

There are no major threats to this species. Although M. murinus is reported to inhabit secondary forests and degraded habitats, there is some evidence that decreased habitat quality may have adverse effects on population dynamics. According to Ganzhorn and Schmid (1998), fewer large tree holes in secondary forests result in fewer opportunities to save energy through periods of torpor, and may increase levels of stress and mortality. In the west of the range, habitat is being lost due to yearly burning for slash-and-burn and cattle grazing. There is some limited offtake for the pet-trade, especially in Fort-dauphin.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species is listed on CITES Appendix I. It is present in seven national parks (Andohahela, Ankarafantsika, Baie de Baly, Isalo, Tsingy de Namoroka, Vohibasia, and Zombitse), five special reserves (Andranomena, Bemarivo, Beza-Mahafaly, Kasijy, and Maningoza), the Berenty Private Reserve, and other privately-protected forests within the Mandena Conservation Zone. Also occurs in Kirindy Classified Forest (Mittermeier et al. 2008). According to ISIS (2007), this species is maintained in a number of captive collections in Europe and the United States, the international studbook held by the Duke University Primate Center.

Conservation Actions:

This species is listed on CITES Appendix I. It is present in seven national parks (Andohahela, Ankarafantsika, Baie de Baly, Isalo, Tsingy de Namoroka, Vohibasia, and Zombitse), five special reserves (Andranomena, Bemarivo, Beza-Mahafaly, Kasijy, and Maningoza), the Berenty Private Reserve, and other privately-protected forests within the Mandena Conservation Zone. Also occurs in Kirindy Classified Forest (Mittermeier et al. 2008). According to ISIS (2007), this species is maintained in a number of captive collections in Europe and the United States, the international studbook held by the Duke University Primate Center.

Citation:	Andrainarivo, C., Andriaholinirina, V.N., Feistner, A., Felix, T., Ganzhorn, J., Garbutt, N., Golden, C., Konstant, B., Louis Jr., E., Meyers, D., Mittermeier, R.A., Perieras, A., Princee, F., Rabarivola, J.C., Rakotosamimanana, B., Rasamimanana, H., Ratsimbazafy, J., Raveloarinoro, G., Razafimanantsoa, A., Rumpler, Y., Schwitzer, C., Thalmann, U., Wilmé, L. & Wright, P. 2008. Microcebus murinus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 19 June 2013.
Disclaimer:	To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
Feedback:	If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please fill in the feedback form so that we can correct or extend the information provided