Cheirogaleus minusculus, Groves, 2000

Russell A. Mittermeier, Anthony B. Rylands & Don E. Wilson, 2013, Cheirogaleidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 3 Primates, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 28-65 : 62

27.

Lesser Iron-gray Dwarf Lemur

Cheirogaleus minusculus

French: Chirogale minuscule / German: Ambositra-Fettschwanzmaki / Spanish: Lémur enano gris

Other common names: Small Iron-gray Dwarf Lemur

Taxonomy. Cherogaleus minusculus Groves, 2000 ,

Madagascar, Ambositra, on the central plateau (approximately 20° S, 47° E).

This is one of the dwarf lemurs formerly considered to be C. major , which was resurrected by C. P. Groves in his revision of the genus in 2000. Groves considered populations from Ambositra to be a distinct species, C. minusculus , differentiating it from C. ravus, which we do not recognize as a valid species. In 2009, L. Groeneveld and her coworkers did not have sufficient material of this form for their genetic analysis of the genus. This speciesis presently known only from a single museum specimen from the type locality, Ambositra, north of Fianarantsoa in east-central Madagascar. Groves believed that this is also the species recorded from the Bongolava Massif north-west of the type locality, but photographs from that region later showed that this was not the case. It is possible that a further undescribed species exists in Bongolava. Monotypic, but it may be that this species is not a valid taxon.

Distribution. EC Madagascar, known only from the type locality of Ambositra, north of Fianarantsoa;its continuing survival in the forest fragments of that region remains to be confirmed. Reports from the Bongolava Massif to the NW appear to be erroneous.

Descriptive notes. There are no specific measurements available, but this species is known to be roughly intermediate in size between the larger C. major group and the smaller C. medius group species. The dorsal coat is iron-gray with brownish tones and a vague midline stripe. The tail is bushy with a white tip, and digits are white. Ears are furred along their rims.

Habitat. Forest fragments of plateau forest.

Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but undoubtedly fruits, flowers are eaten, and possibly other items identified in the diets of other members of the genus.

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. The Lesser Iron-gray Dwarf Lemur is nocturnal and arboreal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. The Lesser Iron-gray Dwarf Lemur is not known to occur in any protected areas within what appears to be a very restricted distribution.

Bibliography. Groeneveld et al. (2009), Groves (2000a, 2001), Mittermeier et al. (2010), Thalmann & Rakotoarison (1994).

Figures

23. Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur (Cheirogaleus medius), 24. Sibree’s Dwarf Lemur (Cheirogaleus sibreei), 25. Greater Dwarf Lemur (Cheirogaleus major), 26. Crossley’s Dwarf Lemur (Cheirogaleus crossleyi), 27. Lesser Iron-gray Dwarf Lemur (Cheirogaleus minusculus)

Distribution. EC Madagascar, known only from the type locality of Ambositra, north of Fianarantsoa;its continuing survival in the forest fragments of that region remains to be confirmed. Reports from the Bongolava Massif to the NW appear to be erroneous.