Scientists Find New Mouse Lemur Species and an Elephant Shrew is Rediscovered After 50 years
As well as a new species of bat, Wilson’s Long-fingered bat (Miniopterus wilsoni), being discovered on Mount Gorongosa in Mozambique, two more mammal species have recently been found in Djibouti and Madagascar.
Somali Elephant Shrew Rediscovered
A tiny Somali elephant sengi, or elephant shrew, (Elephantulus revoilii), thought to be extinct, has been rediscovered in Djibouti, on the Horn of Africa. The last scientific sighting was 50 years ago.
A recent scientific expedition set more than 1,000 traps at 12 locations in Djibouti, baiting them with a mixture of peanut butter, oatmeal and yeast. They caught the sengi in the first trap they set in the dry, rocky landscape. During the expedition they saw 12 sengis, obtaining the first ever photos and video of live Somali elephant shrews for scientific documentation
Elephant sengis have distinctive trunk-like noses, which they use to feast on insects. Worldwide there are 20 species of sengis, with the Somali sengi being one of the most mysterious. It was thought to only be found in Somalia, hence its name, although it has been found to range into Djibouti and possibly into Ethiopia.
Steven Heritage, a research scientist at the Duke University Lemur Centre in Durham, US, and a member of the expedition to the Horn of Africa in 2019, said he was thrilled to put the species “back on the radar“.
In an interview with the BBC he said “we were really excited and elated when we opened the first trap that had an elephant shrew in it, a Somali sengi… For Djibouti this is an important story that highlights the great biodiversity of the country and the region and shows that there are opportunities for new science and research here.”
New Species of Mouse Lemur Discovered
In north-eastern Madagascar, scientist have discovered a new species of mouse lemur – named Johan’s mouse lemur (Microcebus johani). The little primate was discovered during a nine year survey during which 117 mouse lemurs were captured, with DNA samples being taken, before they were released back into the wild.
The team of biologists found sufficient genetic diversity, as well as distinctive physical characteristics, to conclude that Johan’s is a separate species. It is one of the large mouse lemurs, having a prominent white stripe running down its nose, reddish-brown fur and the typical large eyes of this nocturnal genus. It measures around 26cm from nose to tail and weighs only 60 grams. The new species was named after Professor Jonah Ratsimbazafy, a respected Malagasy primatologist.
There are over 100 endemic lemur species in Madagascar, with the full extent of their species diversity currently being studied. Mouse lemurs are the smallest of all primates, but sadly, almost as fast as new species are found, their survival becomes endangered. Recently the IUCN revealed that 31% of all lemur species in Madagascar are now listed as critically endangered and 98% of them as threatened. This is mainly due to deforestation and the illegal trade in bush meat. You can find out more at www.iucn.org.
Professor Ute Radespiel, of the Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, explained 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.”
Main photo ©Steven Heritage