Extension of gray-brown mouse lemur (Microcebus griseorufus) activity period in a disturbed forest in southwestern Madagascar

Abstract

Habitat disturbances may impact behaviors of animals, including their activity patterns. In southwestern Madagascar, timing of gray - brown mouse lemur activities was investigated in adjacent forests with different levels of human disturbance. Mouse lemurs were encountered more frequently during the second part of the night in the unfenced, more disturbed forest than in the fenced, less - disturbed forest. The extension of mouse lemur activity period in the unfenced forest may be due to differences in forest composition resulting in higher travel costs or a loss of canopy cover which may limit their use of torpor.