| Title: |
Genetic Confirmations of Dwarf Lemurs Across Madagascar Highlights Complex Biogeographic Patterns. |
| Authors: |
Blanco, Marina B.; Randriamboavonjy, Tianjanahary; Dimbilahy, Jean Marcellin; Williams, Rachel C.; Rakotozafy, Lovasoa Sylviane; Mahefaniaina, Anna Mananjara; Rajaonarison, Manitra F.; Randriamihanta, Yockline; Bemita, Landry; Guevara, Elaine E.; Andriambeloson, Jean‐Basile; Yoder, Anne D.; Rakotoarinivo, Toky H.; Rasoanaivo, Hoby A.; Ravelojaona, Rojo N.; Andriantsalohimisantatra, Ando; Andrianaivoarivelo, Radosoa; Andriamahaihavana, Antonin; Rakotoarison, Fenonirina; Rakotonomenjanahary, Sandratra R.; Razafindramanana, Josia; Rambeloson, Elodi; Greene, Lydia K.; Rivoharison, Tahiry V.; Ratsoavina, Fanomezana M.; Tongasoa, Haja R.; Birkinshaw, Chris; Andrianantenaina, Herizo |
| Contributors: |
{"funder_name":"Duke University< United States","funder_doi":"https://doi.org/10.13039/100006510","funder_position":"0","funder_isni":"0000 0004 1936 7961","funder_ror":"https://ror.org/00py81415","funder_award":"Duke Tropical Conservation Initiative, Primate Action Fund (PAF 15-16, CI Contract 6001453)"} |
| Publisher Information: |
Published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG). |
| Publication Year: |
2025 |
| Subject Terms: |
Conservation; Taxonomy; Madagascar; Cytochrome-b; Cheirogaleus |
| Description: |
Conservation action, vital in biodiversity hotspots, depends on reliable data on endangered taxa. This is especially important for species that are morphologically cryptic and difficult to distinguish in the field. The dwarf lemurs of Madagascar (Cheirogaleus spp.) exemplify these challenges: They are widespread but endangered, nocturnal, small‐sized, and cryptic. The genus is diverse, with nine described species and as many candidate species, falling into four distinct lineages (“medius,” “sibreei,” “crossleyi,” and “major”). Many protected areas in Madagascar harbor dwarf lemur populations that await genetic species confirmation. Here, we collated tissue samples from 30 individual dwarf lemurs in 10 forest sites collected by a network of collaborators over a decade. We sequenced the simple but diagnostic cytochrome‐b marker gene and placed samples into a curated database of > 200 published sequences. Except for an individual from the “sibreei” lineage in Marojejy that separated from close relatives farther south, our samples fell into described or candidate species, supporting geographic clustering within lineages. We identified two sites in the northeast that harbor different assemblages of species from three distinct lineages in sympatry. We confirmed the presence of C. crossleyi at sites across Madagascar's central highlands, considerably extending its known range, and posit that this is the dominant dwarf lemur of the highlands north of the Mangoky river. Although our results are limited in resolution and call for in‐depth genomics, we advocate for foundational field work, natural history exploration, and survey/sampling expeditions to generate the very data on which sophisticated genomics and computational methods rely. 保护行动对于生物多样性热点地区至关重要, 它依赖于濒危类群的可靠数据。这对于那些形态隐蔽 (morphologically cryptic) 且难以在野外区分的物种尤为重要。马达加斯加的鼠狐猴属 ( spp.) 正是这些挑战的典型代表:它们分布广泛但濒临灭绝, 且为夜行性、体型小且隐蔽的物种。该属具有多样性, 包括9个已描述物种和同样数量的候选物种, 分为四个独特的谱系 (“medius”、“sibreei”、“crossleyi”和“major”) 。马达加斯加的许多保护区内栖息着尚待遗传物种确认的鼠狐猴种群。在此, ... |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| Relation: |
Integrative Conservation; https://doi.org/10.1002/inc3.70059 |
| DOI: |
10.1002/inc3.70059 |
| Availability: |
https://doi.org/10.1002/inc3.70059 |
| Rights: |
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.BE4C4159 |
| Database: |
BASE |