Sleeping and Ranging Behavior of the Sambirano Mouse Lemur, Microcebus sambiranensis

Abstract

Primates require secure sleeping sites for periods of rest, but despite their importance, the characteristics of desired sleeping sites are poorly known. Here we investigated the sleeping ecology of a radio-collared population of the Sambirano mouse lemur, Microcebus sambiranensis, during the nonreproductive season in the Anabohazo forest, northwestern Madagascar. We also investigated their ranging behavior and examined the spatial distribution of sleeping sites within the home ranges of the collared individuals. We took measurements of the sleeping tree’s physical characteristics and recorded the number of collared individuals using each sleeping site. We found that M. sambiranensis generally use foliage sleeping sites more frequently than tree holes and individuals slept more frequently in densely foliated trees than in sparsely foliated trees, often alone. We observed no significant differences in home range size or nightly travel distance between males and females; however, home ranges were smaller than those described for other mouse lemur species. Finally, we found that M. sambiranensis sleep peripherally and forage centrally within their home ranges, a behavior not previously described for mouse lemurs. Our results indicate profound differences in the social organization between M. sambiranensis and other mouse lemur species described in the literature, suggesting species-specificity in mouse lemur ecology. Understanding the sleeping ecology and ranging behavior of mouse lemurs is of great importance to their conservation, as these data facilitate the planning of long-term reforestation, habitat management, and population assessment.

Observations of daytime activity in the nocturnal northern giant mouse lemur (Mirza zaza)

“…It is also possible that our observations were the result of accidental disturbance of sleeping sites. However, we do not believe this was the case for our observations, as three other nocturnal lemur species are abundant at this study site (Hending et al, 2017) and we never observed daytime activity in these three species. Another possible ultimate reason for our observations is that M. zaza may minimize predation risk via temporal crypticity (Curtis & Rasmussen, 2006;Colquhoun, 2007;Tattersall, 2008), as they are small-bodied and therefore vulnerable to aerial and terrestrial predators (both diurnal and nocturnal) that are common within the National Park (Randriatahina & Volampeno, 2012).…”

Seasonal Differences in the Encounter Rate of the Fat-Tailed Dwarf Lemur (Cheirogaleus medius) in the Transitional Forests of Northwest Madagascar: Implications for Reliable Population Density Assessment

“…Cheirogaleus may be sensitive to habitat degradation and edge-effects (Lehman et al, 2006;but see Hending, 2021), and the population density of C. medius in SIRNP may be limited by the ongoing forest degradation that is typical of the region (Seiler et al, 2010); this also may explain the differences in density between Anabohazo (a continuous forest) and Ankarafa (a highlydegraded and fragmented forest). Furthermore, C. medius lives sympatrically with the northern giant mouse lemur (Mirza zaza), the Sambirano mouse lemur (Microcebus sambiranensis), and the Sahamalaza sportive lemur (Lepilemur sahamalaza) in SIRNP (Hending et al, 2017c(Hending et al, , 2022a. Although niche separation exists between these species, all four of these taxa require secure sleeping sites.…”

Sources of variation in social tolerance in mouse lemurs (Microcebus spp.)

“…A total of 24 mouse lemur species have so far been described [28]. The social system of many of these species has not yet been studied, and current knowledge is largely based on the study of seven species only ( M. berthae , M. griseorufus , M. lehilahytsara , M. murinus , Microcebus ravelobensis , M. rufus , M. sambiranensis ), most of which form some kind of sleeping groups (male–male, male–female, or female–female) during daytime in a shelter, at least temporarily, and have non-exclusive, largely overlapping home ranges not only with members of the same sleeping group but also with male strangers [reviewed in 11, 13, 29, 30]. However, based on extensive nocturnal survey work that has been conducted in many locations across Madagascar, it is evident that probably all mouse lemur species live in dispersed neighborhood systems [31], as it is typically single individuals and not groups that are encountered during the night [32–35].…”