Remarkable species diversity in Malagasy mouse lemurs (primates, <i>Microcebus</i> )

TLDR

Mouse lemur clades exhibit regional endemism, highlighting the vulnerability of Madagascar's biodiversity to local deforestation. Phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA confirms that mouse lemur diversity has been greatly underestimated, leading to the description of three new species, the resurrection of two, and doubling the recognized species count, while also revising ecogeographic hypotheses and providing a historical framework.

Abstract

Phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA sequence data confirms the observation that species diversity in the world's smallest living primate (genus Microcebus ) has been greatly underestimated. The description of three species new to science, and the resurrection of two others from synonymy, has been justified on morphological grounds and is supported by evidence of reproductive isolation in sympatry. This taxonomic revision doubles the number of recognized mouse lemur species. The molecular data and phylogenetic analyses presented here verify the revision and add a historical framework for understanding mouse lemur species diversity. Phylogenetic analysis revises established hypotheses of ecogeographic constraint for the maintenance of species boundaries in these endemic Malagasy primates. Mouse lemur clades also show conspicuous patterns of regional endemism, thereby emphasizing the threat of local deforestation to Madagascar's unique biodiversity.