Tiniest Primate
Three Newly-Found Lemurs the
Size of Chipmunks are the
Smallest Primates
Field Museum zoologist Bill Stanley holds
the skulls that represent three newly
identified species of mouse lemurs. (The
Field Museum)
The Associated Press
C H I C A G O, Nov. 14 — Scientists who work in
Madagascar announced Monday that they have
discovered three previously unknown species of
mouse lemurs, the world’s smallest primate.
Lemurs are the most primitive primates and are among
the world’s most endangered species. The newly discovered
lemurs represent a small but encouraging sign to
conservationists.
Madagascar is the world’s only home to about 40 species
of lemurs, including two previously known species of mouse
lemurs.
An international team confirmed the new varieties by
genetic tests as well as by small differences in their skulls,
teeth and other physical characteristics.
“It’s incredibly rare to discover a new species of primate,
let alone three new species,” said Steven Goodman of the
Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, who participated
in the study. Other participants were from Germany and
Madagascar.
Weight: 3 Ounces, Likes Beetles, Fruit
The three newly discovered species inhabit only the dry,
dense forests along the island’s west coast. They are about
the size of a chipmunk and weigh a few ounces. They eat
beetles, fruit and plants. They are active only at night.
The scientists said they also found what they believe are
two more previously unknown species of mouse lemur, but
the determination must be approved by an international
panel of primate experts.
Madagascar is a large island off Africa’s east coast.
Scientists believe it split off the continent about 165 million
years ago and many of its plant and animal species are
unique to the island. The oldest lemur fossils are about 58
million years old, making them important links in studies of
the evolution of humans and other primates.
Madagascar has been stripped of 90 percent of its
original forests, threatening the survival of many species.
Primate Haven Threatened
Conservationists fear that 10 percent of the world’s primate
species, which also include humans, apes and monkeys, will
go extinct in the next 10 or 20 years.
Dean Gibson, manager of the Duke University Primate
Center, said she expects additional surveys would find even
more new species. “So many areas of Madagascar haven’t
been surveyed. I think there is more to find,” she said.
Gibson, whose center has 300 lemurs in captivity, said
the scientists are in a race against development forces in
Madagascar.
“The habitats very quickly are being destroyed,” Gibson
said. “It’s being degraded to the point where there will be no
primates or anything else for that matter. |
