| Leaf nest use and construction in the golden-brown mouse lemur (Microcebus ravelobensis) in the Ankarafantsika National Park. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 19787662 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The use of leaf nests has been documented in several mouse lemur species over the last few decades, including the golden-brown mouse lemur. Nest construction, however, has only rarely been observed and detailed descriptions of this process are lacking so far. We aim to determine the relative importance of leaf nests as shelters for the golden-brown mouse lemur, and to test predictions concerning the role of thermoregulation, safety (i.e., protection of infants), and of interspecific competition with the sympatric gray mouse lemurs in regulating nest use. Finally, we intend to clarify whether and how Microcebus ravelobensis constructs the nests, and we provide physical descriptions of seven leaf nests. Nocturnal focal observations were carried out from May 2007 to January 2008 on 18 females, and sleeping sites were regularly monitored during a six-month period. Data were collected from two study sites, one with exclusive presence of M. ravelobensis, and one with co-existence of the two mouse lemur species. Sixty-five out of 379 identified daily sleeping sites were leaf nests. These represented a total of 35 different leaf nests, used by 15 out of 18 females. The relative leaf nest use differed between sites during five out of six months, but without a consistent pattern. Interspecific competition can therefore not explain leaf nest use. Leaf nest use differed seasonally and may be partly explained by thermoregulatory advantages in the site with lower minimum temperatures. Nest use was furthermore higher than expected in both sites during the rearing season that indicates the role of nests in infant protection. For the first time, we could confirm that golden-brown mouse lemurs build leaf nests themselves. Nest building lasted between 46 and 68 min, which shows that this task is time consuming and therefore probably costly. |
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Authors:
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Sandra Thor?n; Franziska Quietzsch; Ute Radespiel |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: American journal of primatology Volume: 72 ISSN: 1098-2345 ISO Abbreviation: Am. J. Primatol. Publication Date: 2010 Jan |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2009-11-30 Completed Date: 2010-02-10 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8108949 Medline TA: Am J Primatol Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 48-55 Citation Subset: IM |
Copyright Information:
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(c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. |
Affiliation:
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Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany. Sandra.Thoren@tiho-hanno-ver.de |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Cheirogaleidae / physiology* Conservation of Natural Resources Female Madagascar Nesting Behavior* Plant Leaves Reproduction Seasons Sexual Behavior, Animal |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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