Variation in reproduction of the smallest-bodied primate radiation, the mouse lemurs (Microcebus spp.): A synopsis

Reproduction is a fundamental trait in the life history of any species and contributes to species diversity and evolution. Here, we aim to review the barely known variation in reproductive patterns of the smallest-bodied primate radiation, the Malagasy mouse lemurs, focusing on twelve species of four phylogenetic clades. We present a new reproductive field dataset collected between May and November 1996-2016 for nine species (Microcebus murinus, M. myoxinus, M. ravelobensis, M. bongolavensis, M. danfossi, M. sambiranensis, M. margothmarshae, M. mamiratra, and M. lehilahytsara) and add published field information on three additional species. In the majority of species, the estrus of females was recorded in the period of long days (day length longer than 12hr), whereas male testes size increased about one to three months prior to this. Reproductive schedules varied considerably between the four clades. Sympatric species-pairs of different clades differed in the timing of female and male reproduction, suggesting strong phylogenetic constraints. Populations of the same species in a different ecological setting varied in the onset of reproduction, suggesting substantial environmental plasticity. Warm temperatures and rainfall throughout the year may allow for less expressed reproductive seasonality. Our results suggest that an interplay between phylogenetic relatedness, ambient temperature (as a proxy for thermo regulatory constraints), and rainfall (as a proxy for food availability), may best explain this variation. Findings further point to a more complex control of mouse lemur reproduction than previously described and illuminate phylogenetic constraints and adaptive potentials in behavioral reaction norms of a species-rich primate radiation. Reproductive activity of free-living populations of 12 Malagasy mouse lemur species varied inter- and intra-specifically. Findings suggest that a complex interplay between climate and phylogeny may explain variation in seasonal reproduction.