First Insights into the Social Organisation of Goodman’s Mouse Lemur (Microcebus lehilahytsara) – Testing Predictions from Socio-Ecological Hypotheses in the Masoala Hall of Zurich Zoo

Abstract

Following current socio-ecological hypotheses, the social organisation of a species is mainly determined by resource quality and distribution. In the case of Microcebus spp., a taxon-specific socio-ecological model was formulated earlier to explain their variable social organisation. The aim of this study was to test predictions from this model in Goodman’s mouse lemur based on a data set from animals living in the semi-free colony of Zurich Zoo. During a 2-month study, we observed 5 females and 5 males using radiotelemetry. We collected data on space use and social behaviour, on sleeping sites and on sleeping group composition. Predictions were only partly confirmed. As expected, Goodman’s mouse lemurs were solitary foragers with an increased level of sociality due to crowding effects at the feeding stations. In contrast to the prediction, females and males formed unisexual sleeping groups, which were stable in females and of a fission-fusion type in males. Whereas the formation of sleeping groups by both sexes may be triggered by thermoregulatory benefits, the formation of unisexual sleeping groups may result from divergent interests of the sexes. We conclude that the existing model for the evolution of mouse lemur social organisation needs to be refined.

The Island of Female Power? Intersexual Dominance Relationships in the Lemurs of Madagascar

“…A total of 80 conflicts were observed between males and females in different contexts (feeding, social, sexual, unspecific), the vast majority of them being decided (86.3%, n = 69). Females won most decided conflicts (94.2%, n = 65), in fact significantly more than males (Jürges, 2010).…”

“…Another captive study on M. lehilahytsara was conducted in the Masoala Hall of Zurich Zoo (Switzerland) during 2 months after animals reappeared from seasonal torpor at the start of the reproductive season (Jürges et al, 2013). Focal animals had relatively frequent social encounters (defined as proximity of < 10 m) with a median of 10 times/h, although the majority of encounters (median = 75%) did not involve social interactions (Jürges et al, 2013). A total of 80 conflicts were observed between males and females in different contexts (feeding, social, sexual, unspecific), the vast majority of them being decided (86.3%, n = 69).…”

Food availability and male deference in the female‐dominant ring‐tailed lemur, Lemur catta

“…For example, wild bearded capuchin monkeys, Cebus libidinosus , in the Parque Nacional de Brasília having access to human foods from park visitors showed decreased time spent foraging on wild foods compared to capuchins in comparable habitats without access to human foods (Sabbatini et al, 2008). Distributing provisions can also increase aggression among individuals if food is provided in a clumped manner, as was observed among mouse lemurs, Microcebus lehilahytsara , at the Zurich Zoo, where several individuals were provided with fruit at two feeding stations, prompting feeding competition even though food amount was unlimited (Jürges et al, 2013).…”