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Microcebus lehilahytsara Roos and Kappeler, 2005 in Kappeler et al., 2005

Scientific name: 
Scientist name: 
Roos and Kappeler, 2005 in Kappeler et al., 2005
Malagasy: 
Tsidy an’ i-Goodman
English: 
Goodman’s Mouse Lemur
German: 
Goodman’s Mausmaki
Other english: 
None
French: 
Microcèbe de Goodman
Taxa: 

Species

Identification

Microcebus lehilahytsara is one of the smaller mouse lemurs. It has a head-body length of approximately 9 cm and a weight of 45–48 g (Kappeler et al., 2005). The fur is short and dense. The dorsal coat is bright maroon with an orange tinge on the back, head, and tail, turning creamy-white on the ventrum. A distinct white stripe runs from the nose to the forehead. The ears are short and round. The scrotum is furred and the testes are noticeably large.
This species is very similar in size and appearance to Microcebus rufus, with which it might easily be confused. It is also found in the same forests with two other small nocturnal genera, Allocebus and Cheirogaleus. Allocebus is very similar in size and has very distinctive tufted ears, but it would be difficult to distinguish between the two unless one obtained a very good look at the animal. Cheirogaleus is larger still and tends not to move as rapidly.