Skip to content
  • 1 800 414 3090
  • info@africansafarico.com
Facebook Linkedin-in Instagram
Inquire now
  • African Safaris
  • Marine Safaris
  • Travel Styles
  • Parks
  • Stories
  • About
  • Contact
Menu
  • African Safaris
  • Marine Safaris
  • Travel Styles
  • Parks
  • Stories
  • About
  • Contact
  • African Safaris
  • Marine Safaris
  • Travel Styles
  • Parks
  • Stories
  • About
  • Contact
Menu
  • African Safaris
  • Marine Safaris
  • Travel Styles
  • Parks
  • Stories
  • About
  • Contact
Inquire now
  • August 20, 2020

New Lemur Species Discovered!

 

 

Scientists in Madagascar have discovered a new species of mouse lemur in northeastern Madagascar but warn that it may already be threatened by deforestation and habitat loss. The little primate was discovered during a lengthy survey on different communities of mouse lemurs and is now known as Johan’s mouse lemur (Microcebus johani).

Over nine years, from 2008 to 2017, the team captured some 117 mouse lemurs, either using traps or by hand during nocturnal surveys. The lemurs were extensively measured and observed, and small biopsies were taken from their ears for DNA purposes before they were released back into the wild where they were captured. While the status of some mouse lemurs has been contested in the past, in this case, the biologists were able to show both sufficient genetic diversity as well as distinctive morphology (physical characteristics) to justify concluding that M. johani should be considered to be a distinct species.

The new species of mouse lemur is among the larger mouse lemur species and has a prominent white stripe running down its nose, with reddish-brown fur and the typical large eyes of this nocturnal genus. It measures around 26cm from the tip of its nose to its tail and weighs on average 60 grams. It was named for Professor Jonah Ratsimbazafy, a respected Malagasy primatologist, who according to the study, “serves as an inspirational role model for young Malagasy students and scientists”.

 

 

 

 

There are over 100 species of lemur endemic to Madagascar, which translates as some 20% of all primate species on the planet. However, the full extent of their species diversity is still being researched. Mouse lemurs (Microcebus) are the smallest of all primates. New species have been regularly discovered and described since the 1990s, the most recent additions (before Johan’s mouse lemur) being described in 2016 based on genetic evidence from mitochondrial DNA.

Yet almost as fast as they are being described, the conservation status of primates in Madagascar becomes more precarious. In a recent announcement, the IUCN revealed that 31% of all lemur species in Madagascar are now listed as critically endangered, and 98% of them as threatened, primarily due to deforestation and bushmeat hunting in Madagascar. Newly listed as critically endangered are the Verreaux’s Sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) and Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur (Microcebus berthae), which is the smallest primate species in the world. Madagascar has lost nearly half of its forests in the last 60 years.

 

 

 

 

“Alarmingly”, reads the study, “lowland rainforest habitats have disappeared from most of the east coast, and our study region is no exception. Under these circumstances, population declines are unavoidable”. This accelerating loss of habitat will most likely impact Johan’s mouse lemur (and probably already has), given that it seems to be found only in Mananara‐Nord National Park, which is already isolated from surrounding forests.

 

 

 

 

 

Dominik Schüßler, one of the lead authors of the study, told Africa Geographic that “although it is only a tiny lemur species that we recently described, it is a symbol for the situation of nature conservation in Madagascar.” Professor Ute Radespiel of the Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, explained further that “this study with the description of a new mouse lemur species demonstrates that the unique biodiversity of Madagascar is far from being understood. Many of the recently described species have only small distributions, which puts them at high risk, since the remaining forests of the island are under acute pressure from habitat destruction and fragmentation. Major and immediate conservation efforts will be needed to ensure their long-term survival during this critical period.”

 

 

Are you ready for your next big adventure? Inquire now

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Get in touch

Contact us today

Let our Africa and Latin America travel experts start putting together the perfect itinerary for your next big adventure! Call or email us to schedule a meeting to discuss your dream safari or tour.

Address: 1752 NW Market St # 520 Seattle, WA, 98107

Email Address: info@africansafarico.com

Telephone: 1 800 414 3090

Who we support

African Safaris

  • Botswana Safaris
  • Congo Safaris
  • Egypt Safaris
  • Kenya Safaris
  • Morocco Safaris
  • Mozambique Safaris
  • Namibia Safaris
  • Rwanda Safaris
  • South Africa Safaris
  • Tanzania Safaris
  • Zambia Safaris
  • Zimbabwe Safaris
  • Botswana Safaris
  • Congo Safaris
  • Egypt Safaris
  • Kenya Safaris
  • Morocco Safaris
  • Mozambique Safaris
  • Namibia Safaris
  • Rwanda Safaris
  • South Africa Safaris
  • Tanzania Safaris
  • Zambia Safaris
  • Zimbabwe Safaris

Latin America

  • Ecuador Adventure Tours
  • Galapagos Adventure Tours
  • Peru Adventure Tours
  • Ecuador Adventure Tours
  • Galapagos Adventure Tours
  • Peru Adventure Tours

Highlights

  • Beach
  • Cape Town
  • Culture
  • Gorillas & Chimps
  • Great Migration
  • Victoria Falls
  • Wine
  • Beach
  • Cape Town
  • Culture
  • Gorillas & Chimps
  • Great Migration
  • Victoria Falls
  • Wine

Travel Styles

  • Sustainability & Conservation
  • Exclusively Yours
  • Bush & Beach
  • Explorer
  • Family
  • Highlights
  • Romance & Honeymoon
  • Sustainability & Conservation
  • Exclusively Yours
  • Bush & Beach
  • Explorer
  • Family
  • Highlights
  • Romance & Honeymoon

Information

  • When To Travel
  • Travel Protection
  • Who We Are
  • Contact Details
  • Stories
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • When To Travel
  • Travel Protection
  • Who We Are
  • Contact Details
  • Stories
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

African Safaris

  • Botswana Safaris
  • Congo Safaris
  • Egypt Safaris
  • Kenya Safaris
  • Morocco Safaris
  • Mozambique Safaris
  • Namibia Safaris
  • Rwanda Safaris
  • South Africa Safaris
  • Tanzania Safaris
  • Zambia Safaris
  • Zimbabwe Safaris
  • Botswana Safaris
  • Congo Safaris
  • Egypt Safaris
  • Kenya Safaris
  • Morocco Safaris
  • Mozambique Safaris
  • Namibia Safaris
  • Rwanda Safaris
  • South Africa Safaris
  • Tanzania Safaris
  • Zambia Safaris
  • Zimbabwe Safaris

Latin America

  • Ecuador Adventure Tours
  • Galapagos Adventure Tours
  • Peru Adventure Tours
  • Ecuador Adventure Tours
  • Galapagos Adventure Tours
  • Peru Adventure Tours

Highlights

  • Beach
  • Cape Town
  • Culture
  • Gorillas & Chimps
  • Great Migration
  • Victoria Falls
  • Wine
  • Beach
  • Cape Town
  • Culture
  • Gorillas & Chimps
  • Great Migration
  • Victoria Falls
  • Wine

Travel Styles

  • Sustainability & Conservation
  • Exclusively Yours
  • Bush & Beach
  • Explorer
  • Family
  • Highlights
  • Romance & Honeymoon
  • Sustainability & Conservation
  • Exclusively Yours
  • Bush & Beach
  • Explorer
  • Family
  • Highlights
  • Romance & Honeymoon

Information

  • When To Travel
  • Travel Protection
  • Who We Are
  • Contact Details
  • Stories
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • When To Travel
  • Travel Protection
  • Who We Are
  • Contact Details
  • Stories
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
© 2023 African Safari Company
Join our mailing list
Facebook-f Linkedin-in

Sign up to our mailing list

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest safari news, exclusive offers and more!

Marine Safari
Destinations

Marine Adventure
Destinations

  • Madagascar Safaris
  • Maldives Safaris
  • Mauritius Safaris
  • São Tomé and Principe Safaris
  • Seychelles Safaris
  • Madagascar Safaris
  • Maldives Safaris
  • Mauritius Safaris
  • São Tomé and Principe Safaris
  • Seychelles Safaris

National Parks
and Reserves

Explore Parks

Botswana

Chobe National Park
Kalahari Desert
Linyanti Private Reserve
Makgadikgadi Pans
Mashatu Game Reserve
Moremi National Park
Nxabega Concession
Okavango Delta
Savute Region
Selinda Concession

Kenya

Amboseli National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Masai Mara Game Reserve
Meru National Park
Nairobi National Park
Samburu National Park
Shaba National Park
Tsavo West National Park

Mozambique

Gorongoza National Park

Namibia

Damaraland
Etosha National Park
Skeleton Coast
Sossusvlei

Rwanda

Nyungwe Forest National Park
Volcanoes National Park

South Africa

Grootbos Nature Reserve
Isimangoliso Wetlands Park
Kapama Private Reserve
Kwandwe Private Reserve
KwaZulu Natal
Madikwe Game Reserve
Phinda Private Reserve
Sabi Sands Reserve
Thanda Private Reserve
Thornybush Game Reserve
Timbavati Reserve
Valley of 1000 Hills

Tanzania

Arusha National Park
Lake Eyasi
Lake Manyara National Park
Mahale Mountains
Ngorongoro Crater
Saadani National Park
Selous Game Reserve
Serengeti National Park
Tarangire National Park

Uganda

Bwindi National Park
Kasanka National Park
Kibale Forest National Park
Lake Mburo National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park

Zambia

Kafue National Park
Lochinvar National Park
Lower Zambezi National Park
North Luangwa National Park
South Luangwa National Park
Tsika Island
Victoria Falls

Zimbabwe

Gonarezhou National Park
Hwange National Park
Mana Pools National Park
Victoria Falls

Safaris by
Travel Style

Safaris by
Travel Style

  • Sustainability & Conservation
  • Exclusively Yours
  • Bush & Beach
  • Explorer
  • Family
  • Highlights
  • Romance & Honeymoon
  • Sustainability & Conservation
  • Exclusively Yours
  • Bush & Beach
  • Explorer
  • Family
  • Highlights
  • Romance & Honeymoon

Latin America
Destinations

Latin America
Destinations

  • Ecuador Adventure Tours
  • Galapagos Adventure Tours
  • Peru Adventure Tours
  • Ecuador Adventure Tours
  • Galapagos Adventure Tours
  • Peru Adventure Tours

African Safari
Destinations

African Safari
Destinations

  • Botswana Safaris
  • Congo Safaris
  • Egypt Safaris
  • Kenya Safaris
  • Morocco Safaris
  • Mozambique Safaris
  • Namibia Safaris
  • Rwanda Safaris
  • South Africa Safaris
  • Tanzania Safaris
  • Zambia Safaris
  • Zimbabwe Safaris
  • Botswana Safaris
  • Congo Safaris
  • Egypt Safaris
  • Kenya Safaris
  • Morocco Safaris
  • Mozambique Safaris
  • Namibia Safaris
  • Rwanda Safaris
  • South Africa Safaris
  • Tanzania Safaris
  • Zambia Safaris
  • Zimbabwe Safaris