Famous as the sole habitat of lemurs, Madagascar has recently discovered three new species of these shy primates.
 |
|
Microcebus mittermeier (Photo: news.mongabay) |
These three new lemur species were officially named in the June issue of an international primatology journal.
“The discovery of a new lemur species living in the wild in the 21st century shows that we know too little about the natural world, and underscores the importance of protecting them,” stated primatologist Mireya Mayor.
One of the newly named species is Microcebus mittermeier, named after Russell A. Mittermeier, the president of a conservation organization and a renowned primatologist. This animal resembles a tuft of red fur with large eyes due to its nocturnal feeding habits.
The other two species are Microcebus jollyae, named after Alison Jolly, a pioneering researcher on lemurs at Princeton University, and Microcebus simmonsi, named after Dr. Lee Simmons, the director of the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo in Nebraska.
Madagascar is home to over 70 species of lemurs, primates that are distantly related to humans. Lemurs are found only in Madagascar and some nearby islands, and they are at risk of extinction.
Primatologist Mireya Mayor (Photo: news.mongabay)
M.T
