Editing Cheirogaleidae

{{Short description|Family of lemurs}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| taxon = Cheirogaleidae
| authority = [[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1873
| image = Rode muismaki 01.JPG
| image_caption = [[Brown mouse lemur]] (''Microcebus rufus'')
| status = CITES_A1
| status_system = CITES
| status_ref = <ref>{{cite web | url = http://checklist.cites.org/#/en/search/scientific_name=Cheirogaleidae | title = Checklist of CITES Species | website = CITES | publisher = UNEP-WCMC | access-date = 18 March 2015}}</ref>
| type_genus = ''[[Cheirogaleus]]''
| type_genus_authority = [[Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire|É. Geoffroy]], 1812
| subdivision_ranks = [[Genus|Genera]]
| subdivision = {{plainlist|
* ''[[Dwarf lemur|Cheirogaleus]]''
* ''[[Mouse lemur|Microcebus]]''
* ''[[Giant mouse lemur|Mirza]]''
* ''[[Hairy-eared dwarf lemur|Allocebus]]''
* ''[[Fork-marked lemur|Phaner]]''}}
| synonyms = 
* ''Microcebina'' <small>Gray, 1870</small>{{ref label|NamingNote|a|a}}
* ''Cheirogalina'' <small>Gray, 1872</small>
| synonyms_ref = <ref name="1997McKenna">{{cite book|last1=McKenna|first1=MC|last2=Bell|first2=SK|title=Classification of Mammals: Above the Species Level|publisher=Columbia University Press|pages=334|year=1997|isbn=0-231-11013-8}}</ref>
}}

The '''Cheirogaleidae''' are the family of [[strepsirrhine]] [[primate]]s containing the various dwarf and mouse lemurs. Like all other [[lemur]]s, '''cheirogaleids''' live exclusively on the island of [[Madagascar]].

==Characteristics==
Cheirogaleids are smaller than the other lemurs and, in fact, they are the smallest primates. They have soft, long fur, colored grey-brown to reddish on top, with a generally brighter underbelly. Typically, they have small ears, large, close-set eyes, and long hind legs. Like all strepsirrhines, they have fine claws at the second toe of the hind legs. They grow to a size of only 13 to 28&nbsp;cm, with a tail that is very long, sometimes up to one and a half times as long as the body. They weigh no more than 500&nbsp;grams, with some species weighing as little as 60&nbsp;grams.<ref name=EoM>{{cite book|editor= Macdonald, D.|author= Martin, Robert D.|year= 1984|title= The Encyclopedia of Mammals|publisher= Facts on File|location= New York|pages= [https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofma00mals_0/page/126 126–127]|isbn= 0-87196-871-1|url-access= registration|url= https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofma00mals_0/page/126}}</ref>

Dwarf and mouse lemurs are [[nocturnal]] and [[arboreal]]. They are excellent climbers and can also jump far, using their long tails for balance. When on the ground (a rare occurrence), they move by hopping on their hind legs. They spend the day in tree hollows or leaf nests. Cheirogaleids are typically solitary, but sometimes live together in pairs.

Their eyes possess a [[tapetum lucidum]], a light-reflecting layer that improves their night vision. Some species, such as the [[lesser dwarf lemur]], store fat at the hind legs and the base of the tail, and hibernate. Unlike [[Lemuridae|lemurid]]s, they have long upper [[incisor]]s, although they do have the comb-like teeth typical of all strepsirhines. They have the [[dentition|dental formula]]: {{DentalFormula|upper=2.1.3.3|lower=2.1.3.3}}

Cheirogaleids are [[omnivore]]s, eating fruits, flowers and leaves (and sometimes nectar), as well as insects, spiders, and small vertebrates.<ref name=EoM/>

The females usually have three pairs of nipples. After a meager 60-day gestation, they will bear two to four (usually two or three) young. After five to six weeks, the young are weaned and become fully mature near the end of their first year or sometime in their second year, depending on the species. In human care, they can live for up to 15 years, although their life expectancy in the wild is probably significantly shorter.

==Classification==
{{Main|List of lemuroids}}

The five [[genus|genera]] of cheirogaleids contain 42 [[species]].<ref name=Mittermeier2008>{{cite journal|title=Lemur Diversity in Madagascar|author=Mittermeier, R.|author-link=Russell Mittermeier|author2=Ganzhorn, J., Konstant, W., Glander, K., Tattersall, I., [[Colin Groves|Groves, C.]], Rylands, A., Hapke, A., Ratsimbazafy, J., Mayor, M., Louis, E., Rumpler, Y., Schwitzer, C. & Rasoloarison, R.|journal=International Journal of Primatology|doi=10.1007/s10764-008-9317-y|pages=1607–1656|volume=29|issue=6|date=December 2008|hdl=10161/6237|s2cid=17614597|hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref name=Louis>{{cite journal | title = Revision of the Mouse Lemurs (''Microcebus'') of Eastern Madagascar | pages = 347–389 |author1=Edward E. Louis |author2=Melissa S. Coles |author3=Rambinintsoa Andriantompohavana |author4=Julie A. Sommer |author5=Shannon E. Engberg |author6=John R. Zaonarivelo |author7=Mireya I. Mayor |author8=Rick A. Brenneman | journal = International Journal of Primatology | volume = 27 | issue = 2 | year = 2006 | doi = 10.1007/s10764-006-9036-1| s2cid = 56920 }}</ref><ref name=Radespiel>{{cite journal | author = Radespiel, Ute | year = 2008 | title = Exceptional diversity of mouse lemurs (Microcebus spp.) in the Makira region with the description of one new species | journal = American Journal of Primatology | volume = 70 | doi = 10.1002/ajp.20592 | pages =  1033–46| pmid = 18626970 | issue = 11| s2cid = 205328907 |display-authors=etal}}</ref><ref name="new_Microcebus01">{{cite journal |url=http://www.primate-sg.org/PDF/PC23.new.microcebus.V3.pdf |author1=Edward E. Louis Jr. |author2=Shannon E. Engberg |author3=Susie M. McGuire |author4=Marilyn J. McCormick |author5=Richard Randriamampionona |author6=Jean Freddy Ranaivoarisoa |author7=Carolyn A. Bailey |author8=Russell A. Mittermeier |author9=Runhua Lei |title=Revision of the Mouse Lemurs, Microcebus(Primates, Lemuriformes), of Northern and Northwestern Madagascar with Descriptions of Two New Species at Montagne d'Ambre National Park and Antafondro Classified Forest |journal=Primate Conservation |year=2008 |volume=23 |pages=19–38 |doi=10.1896/052.023.0103 |s2cid=84533039 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205163701/http://primate-sg.org/PDF/PC23.new.microcebus.V3.pdf |archive-date=2009-02-05 }}</ref>

* Infraorder Lemuriformes
** '''Family Cheirogaleidae'''
*** Genus ''[[Cheirogaleus]]'': dwarf lemurs
**** [[Montagne d'Ambre dwarf lemur]], ''[[Cheirogaleus andysabini]]''
**** [[Furry-eared dwarf lemur]], ''[[Cheirogaleus crossleyi]]''
**** [[Groves' dwarf lemur]], ''[[Cheirogaleus grovesi]]''
**** [[Lavasoa dwarf lemur]], ''[[Cheirogaleus lavasoensis]]''
**** [[Greater dwarf lemur]], ''[[Cheirogaleus major]]''
**** [[Fat-tailed dwarf lemur]], ''[[Cheirogaleus medius]]''
**** [[Lesser iron-gray dwarf lemur]], ''[[Cheirogaleus minusculus]]''
**** [[Ankarana dwarf lemur]], ''[[Cheirogaleus shethi]]''
**** [[Sibree's dwarf lemur]], ''[[Cheirogaleus sibreei]]''
**** [[Thomas' dwarf lemur]], ''[[Cheirogaleus thomasi]]''<ref name="thomasi">{{cite iucn |last1=Ganzhorn |first1=J. |last2=Donati |first2=G. |last3=Eppley |first3=T.M. |last4=Lahann |first4=P. |last5=Rakotondranary |first5=S.J. |last6=Ramanamanjato |first6=J.-B |last7=Randriantafika |first7=F.M. |year=2020 |title=Cheirogaleus thomasi |page=e.T163022885A163312222 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T163022885A163312222.en |access-date=8 September 2022}}</ref>
*** Genus ''[[Microcebus]]'': mouse lemurs<ref name=Mittermeier2008/>{{ref label|not_recognized|b|b}}
****[[Arnhold's mouse lemur]], ''[[Microcebus arnholdi]]''<ref name="new_Microcebus01"/>
**** [[Madame Berthe's mouse lemur]], ''[[Microcebus berthae]]''
**** [[Bongolava mouse lemur]] ''[[Microcebus bongolavensis]]''<ref name="nature">{{cite journal |title=''Nature'' News: Lemur boom on Madagascar |journal=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]] |url=http://www.nature.com/news/2006/061120/full/news061120-15.html |date=2006-11-20 |access-date=2007-12-10 |doi=10.1038/news061120-15 | last1 = Stafford | first1 = Ned|pages=news061120–15 |s2cid=84701328 }}</ref>
**** [[Boraha mouse lemur]] ''[[Microcebus boraha]]''<ref name="Hotaling"/>
**** [[Danfoss' mouse lemur]] ''[[Microcebus danfossi]]''<ref name="nature" />
**** [[Ganzhorn's mouse lemur]]. ''[[Microcebus ganzhorni]]''<ref name="Hotaling">{{cite journal |author1=Scott Hotaling |author2=Mary E. Foley |author3=Nicolette M. Lawrence |author4=Jose Bocanegra |author5=Marina B. Blanco |author6=Rodin Rasoloarison |author7=Peter M. Kappeler |author8=Meredith A. Barrett |author9=Anne D. Yoder |author10=David W. Weisrock |year=2016 |title=Species discovery and validation in a cryptic radiation of endangered primates: coalescent-based species delimitation in Madagascar's mouse lemurs |journal=Molecular Ecology |volume= 25|issue= 9|pages= 2029–2045|doi=10.1111/mec.13604 |pmid=26946180|s2cid=43912903 |doi-access= |bibcode=2016MolEc..25.2029H }}</ref>
**** [[Gerp's mouse lemur]]. ''[[Microcebus gerpi]]''<ref name=Radespiel2>{{Cite journal | last1 = Radespiel | first1 = U. | last2 = Ratsimbazafy | first2 = J. H. | last3 = Rasoloharijaona | first3 = S. | last4 = Raveloson | first4 = H. | last5 = Andriaholinirina | first5 = N. | last6 = Rakotondravony | first6 = R. | last7 = Randrianarison | first7 = R. M. | last8 = Randrianambinina | first8 = B. | doi = 10.1007/s10329-011-0290-2 | title = First indications of a highland specialist among mouse lemurs (''Microcebus'' spp.) and evidence for a new mouse lemur species from eastern Madagascar | journal = Primates | volume = 53 | issue = 2 | pages = 157–170 | year = 2011 | pmid =  22198090| s2cid = 8473176 }}</ref>
**** [[Reddish-gray mouse lemur]], ''[[Microcebus griseorufus]]''
**** [[Jolly's mouse lemur]], ''[[Microcebus jollyae]]''
**** [[Jonah's mouse lemur]], ''[[Microcebus jonahi]]''
**** [[Goodman's mouse lemur]], ''[[Microcebus lehilahytsara]]''
**** [[MacArthur's mouse lemur]], ''[[Microcebus macarthurii]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pressrelations.de/new/standard/result_main.cfm?aktion=jour_pm&r=331600|title=New Primate Species Discovered on Madagascar|access-date=2008-07-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719073516/http://www.pressrelations.de/new/standard/result_main.cfm?aktion=jour_pm&r=331600|archive-date=2011-07-19|url-status=dead}}</ref>
**** [[Claire's mouse lemur]], ''[[Microcebus mamiratra]]'',<ref name="nature"/> synonymous to ''M. lokobensis''{{ref label|not_recognized|b|b}}
**** [[Bemanasy mouse lemur]], ''[[Microcebus manitatra]]''<ref name="Hotaling"/>
**** [[Margot Marsh's mouse lemur]], ''[[Microcebus margotmarshae]]''<ref name="new_Microcebus01" />
**** [[Marohita mouse lemur]], ''[[Microcebus marohita]]''<ref name="Rasoloarison et al."/><ref name="LiveScience SP"/>
**** [[Mittermeier's mouse lemur]], ''[[Microcebus mittermeieri]]''
**** [[Gray mouse lemur]], ''[[Microcebus murinus]]''
**** [[Pygmy mouse lemur]], ''[[Microcebus myoxinus]]''
**** [[Golden-brown mouse lemur]], ''[[Microcebus ravelobensis]]''
**** [[Brown mouse lemur]], ''[[Microcebus rufus]]''
**** [[Sambirano mouse lemur]], ''[[Microcebus sambiranensis]]''
**** [[Simmons' mouse lemur]], ''[[Microcebus simmonsi]]''
**** [[Anosy mouse lemur]]. ''[[Microcebus tanosi]]''<ref name="Rasoloarison et al.">{{cite journal|last1=Rasoloarison |first1=Rodin M. |first2=David W. |last2=Weisrock |first3=Anne D. |last3=Yoder |first4=Daniel |last4=Rakotondravony |first5=Peter M. |last5=Kappeler |year=2013|title=Two New Species of Mouse Lemurs (Cheirogaleidae: Microcebus) from Eastern Madagascar |journal=[[International Journal of Primatology]]|pages=1–15 |doi=10.1007/s10764-013-9672-1 |volume=34|issue=3 |s2cid=17860060 }}</ref><ref name="LiveScience SP">{{cite web|url=http://www.livescience.com/28172-two-mouse-lemurs-new-species.html |title=Tiny Lemur Twins Are 2 New Species |first=Stephanie |last=Pappas |work=[[LiveScience]] |date=26 March 2013}}</ref>
**** [[Northern rufous mouse lemur]], ''[[Microcebus tavaratra]]''<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Schüßler|first1=Dominik|last2=Blanco|first2=Marina B.|last3=Salmona|first3=Jordi|last4=Poelstra|first4=Jelmer|last5=Andriambeloson|first5=Jean B. |last6=Miller |first6=Alex |last7=Randrianambinina |first7=Blanchard |last8=Rasolofoson |first8=David W.|last9=Mantilla-Contreras|first9=Jasmin|last10=Chikhi|first10=Lounès|last11=Louis|first11=Edward E.|title=Ecology and morphology of mouse lemurs (Microcebus spp.) in a hotspot of microendemism in northeastern Madagascar, with the description of a new species |journal=American Journal of Primatology|year=2020|volume=82|issue=9|language=en|pages=e23180|doi=10.1002/ajp.23180|pmid=32716088|issn=1098-2345|doi-access=free}}</ref>
*** Genus ''[[Giant mouse lemur|Mirza]]'': giant mouse lemurs
**** [[Coquerel's giant mouse lemur]] or Coquerel's dwarf lemur, ''[[Mirza coquereli]]''
**** [[Northern giant mouse lemur]], ''[[Mirza zaza]]''
*** Genus ''[[Hairy-eared dwarf lemur|Allocebus]]''
**** [[Hairy-eared dwarf lemur]], ''[[Allocebus trichotis]]''
*** Genus ''[[Phaner]]'': fork-marked lemurs
**** [[Masoala fork-marked lemur]], ''[[Phaner furcifer]]''
**** [[Pale fork-marked lemur]], ''[[Phaner pallescens]]''
**** [[Pariente's fork-marked lemur]], ''[[Phaner parienti]]''
**** [[Amber Mountain fork-marked lemur]], ''[[Phaner electromontis]]''

==Footnotes==
*{{note label|NamingNote|a|a}}According to the letter of the [[International Code of Zoological Nomenclature]], the correct name for this family should be Microcebidae, but the name Cheirogaleidae has been retained for stability.<ref name="1997McKenna" />
*{{note label|not_recognized|b|b}}In 2008, 7 new species of ''Microcebus'' were formally recognized,<ref name=Mittermeier2008/> but ''Microcebus lokobensis'' ([[Lokobe mouse lemur]]) was not among the additions, even though it was described in 2006. Therefore, its status as a species is still questionable.

==References==
{{Wikispecies|Cheirogaleoidea}}
{{Wikispecies|Cheirogaleidae}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Primates}}
{{Strepsirrhini|L.}}
{{Cheirogaleidae nav}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q271785}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Lemurs]]
[[Category:Primate families]]
[[Category:Taxa named by John Edward Gray]]
[[Category:Taxa described in 1873]]