Mouse lemur

Fig. 2.11 (a) Dissection of VNC — Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus). Cl-C3 = Para-septal cartilage bars LV = ventral vein NC = arterioles/capillary network SV = dorsal vein and VNw = ventral wall (from Schilling, 1970). Vomeronasal complex in murine Rodents. Comparison of LS with TS in Rat (b) LS (horizontal). VV = vascular sinus arrow = venous diverticulum = VN lumen and NE = neuroepithelium (from Larriva-Sahd, 1994). (c) TS (coronal). G = glands RFE = non-sensory epithelium (from Mendoza, 1993). 

PI. 2.4 Bulbar layers horizontal section of MOB + AOB (outlined) in Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus). g = Glomerular m = Mitral and gr = Granular layers (courtesy of Alain Schilling ). 

Adrenal-mediated effects occur within the multimale groupings of Mouse-lemurs within which access to estrous females is confined to the... 

Several studies have identified responses that do not involve VN participation, from marsupials to Mouse-lemurs. Where the chosen endpoint is totally unaffected by absence of the organ and in addition is dependent upon MOS activity, then it needs to be classified as VN-independent. Where VN-x results are ambiguous, as already considered for opossums (Monodelphis domestica), further analysis is desirable. For instance, Goats do not use AOS input for mating, only urinalysis, although experiential variables have not been fully explored (Ladewig et al., 1980). Examples of VN independence then exist in both altricial and precocial species. 

Urine-washing in Lesser Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus) (courtesy Helga Schulze ). 

Fig. 7.11 Inhibitory effect of alpha-Male urine on plasma Testosterone [T. ng/ml]. Exposure to urinary fractions in isolated (subordinate) male Mouse lemurs (N = 10) vs. castrate/adrenalectomised Ss, p < 0.001 vs. control (from Perret, 1995).

Fig. 7.12 Urinary pheromones and Micmcebus populations reproductive influences on Mouse-lemurs. Left weak intra-sexual effects, Right weak inter-sexual effects (c.f. Fig. 7.11) for interactions with photoperiod effects, see text (after Perret, 1992 and 1995 Schilling et al., 1984).

The sensitivity of Mouse-lemurs, as with house mice, shows that complex accessory olfactory (urinary)-related responses convincingly demonstrate the ability of a species to adjust reproductive output to social and environmental conditions. 

Bons N., Silhol S., Barbie V., Mestre-Frances N. and Albe-Fessard D. (1998). A stereotaxic atlas of the Grey Lesser Mouse Lemur brain (Microcebus murinus). Brain Res Bull 46, 1-173. 

Perret M. (1992). Environmental and social determinants of sexual function in the male Lesser Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus). Folia Primatol (Basel) 59, 1-25. 

Perret M. (1995). Chemocommunication in reproductive function of Mouse Lemurs. In Creatures of the Dark The Nocturnal Prosimians (Altermann L., Doyle G. and Izard M., eds.). Plenum, New York, pp. 377-392. 

Perret M. and Schilling A. (1987). Role of prolactin in a pheromone-like sexual inhibition in the male Lesser Mouse Lemur. J Endocrinol 114, 279-287. 

Lemurs are classified in four families the typical lemurs (Lemuridae) the dwarf and mouse lemurs (Cheirogaleidae) the indrids (hidriidae, including the indri, sifaka, and avahi) and the aye-aye, the lone member of Daubentoniidae. 

These little, large-eyed lemurs have long hind legs, useful for leaping. The lesser mouse lemur hops like a frog when on the ground. The females have three pairs of... 

Mouse lemurs survive the dry season, when food is scarce, by living off nourishment stored in their fat tail. Mouse lemur females share a spherical leaf nest with each other and their young, while males usually curl up by themselves. They all hunt at night as solitary individuals, eating primarily insects and some leaves, usually those bearing ant secretions. As they move about, they communicate with each other by high-pitched calls. 

Mouse lemurs are active, bu creatures, while the dwarf lemurs Ckeirogcdeus spp.) are rather sluggish all year. Dwarf lemurs are true hibemators, and are active c rly during the rainy season. The fat-tailed dwarf lemur (C. medius) stores fat at the base of its tail for use during... 

Ferret, M., 1995, Chemocommunication in the reproductive function of mouse lemurs, in Creatures of the Dark The Nocturnal Prosimians, L. Alterman, G. A. Doyle, and M. K. Izard, eds., Plenimi Press, New York. 

Gilissen, E.P., Jacobs, R.E. Allman, J.M. (1999). Magnetic resonance microscopy of iron in the basal forebrain cholinergic structures of the aged mouse lemur. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 168,21-27. 

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