Discovery of Macrotarsomys bastardi at Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve, southwest Madagascar, with observations on the dynamics of small mammal interactions

We report the presence of Macrotarsomys bastardi, Bastard’s big - footed mouse, at the Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve in southwestern Madagascar. Despite years of fieldwork, including field research targeting the nocturnal mammals, this species had never been reported here previously. A program of intensive and random capture of nocturnal mammals was established over a period of one year (October 2006 to September 2007). We monitored the relative abundances and microhabitat preferences of small-bodied nocturnal mammals in three forests at Beza, as reflected in trapping success both on the ground and at heights of one to two meters in the trees. Three species are common at Beza (although they have different apparent habitat preferences): Microcebus griseorufus, Rattus rattus, and Echinops telfairi. Endemic rodents appear to be rare. Possible interactions between introduced rodents (rats and mice) and endemic species of rodents (Macrotarsomys and Eliurus) are also discussed.RÉSUMÉ Après plusieurs années de recherches dans la Réserve Spéciale de Bezà Mahafaly au Sud - ouest de Madagascar, y compris les recherches sur les mammifères nocturnes, la présence de Macrotarsomys bastardi (famille des Nesomyidae) est signalée pour la première fois dans cet endroit. Une série d’échantillonnage et une séance de capture intensive des espèces nocturnes ont été organisées durant une année dans trois forêts différentes de cette région (entre octobre 2006 et septembre 2007). Les pièges avaient été installés sur le sol ou sur des branches à une hauteur comprise entre un et deux mètre(s) pour évaluer l’abondance relative et la préférence pour des microhabitats des micromammifères nocturnes. Trois espèces, ayant chacune des préférences particulières pour un type d’habitat, sont fréquentes à Bezà Mahafaly, à savoir Microcebus griseorufus, Rattus rattus et Echinops telfairi. Les rongeurs endémiques sont rares (Macrotarsomys et Eliurus), fait qui pourrait s’expliquer par leur interaction avec les rongeurs introduits (rats et souris) qui est discuté ici

Paternity in wild ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta): Implications for male mating strategies

In group‐living species with male dominance hierarchies where receptive periods of females do not overlap, high male reproductive skew would be predicted. However, the existence of female multiple mating and alternative male mating strategies can call into question single‐male monopolization of paternity in groups. Ring‐tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) are seasonally breeding primates that live in multi‐male, multi‐female groups. Although established groups show male dominance hierarchies, male dominance relationships can break down during mating periods. In addition, females are the dominant sex and mate with multiple males during estrus, including group residents, and extra‐group males—posing the question of whether there is high or low male paternity skew in groups. In this study, we analyzed paternity in a population of wild L. catta from the Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve in southwestern Madagascar. Paternity was determined with 80–95% confidence for 39 offspring born to nine different groups. We calculated male reproductive skew indices for six groups, and our results showed a range of values corresponding to both high and low reproductive skew. Between 21% and 33% of offspring (3 of 14 or three of nine, counting paternity assignments at the 80% or 95% confidence levels, respectively) were sired by extra‐troop males. Males siring offspring within the same group during the same year appear to be unrelated. Our study provides evidence of varying male reproductive skew in different L. catta groups. A single male may monopolize paternity across one or more years, while in other groups, >1 male can sire offspring within the same group, even within a single year. Extra‐group mating is a viable strategy that can result in extra‐group paternity for L. catta males

Genetic evidence for male and female dispersal in wild Lemur catta

Lemur catta has traditionally been considered a species with male-biased dispersal; however, occasional female dispersal occurs. Using molecular data, we evaluated dispersal patterns in 2 L. catta populations in southwestern Madagascar: Tsimanampesotse National Park (TNP) and Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve (BMSR). We also investigated the genetic differentiation between the populations and dispersal partner relatedness. Results showed minor genetic differentiation between the populations (ϴ(ST) = 0.039), which may indicate gene flow historically occurring in this region, made possible by the presence of L. catta groups between the sites. Different patterns of sex-biased dispersal were found between the sites using corrected assignment indices: male-biased dispersal in TNP, and a lack of sex-biased dispersal in BMSR. Observational evidence of female dispersal in BMSR supports these results and may imply intense female resource competition in and around BMSR, because small groups of 2-3 females have been observed dispersing within BMSR and entering the reserve from outside. These dispersing groups largely consisted of mothers transferring with daughters, although we have an aunt-niece pair transferring together. Genetic data suggest that males also transfer with relatives. Our data demonstrate that dispersal partners consist of same-sexed kin for L. catta males and females, highlighting the importance of kin selection