By The Associated Press
Scientists
working in Madagascar say they have discovered three previously
unknown species of mouse lemurs, the world's smallest primate.
Lemurs are
the most primitive primates and are among the world's most endangered
species. The newly discovered lemurs represent a small but encouraging
sign to conservationists.
Madagascar
is the world's only home to about 40 species of lemurs, including
two previously known species of mouse lemurs.
An international
team confirmed the new varieties by genetic tests as well as by
small differences in their skulls, teeth and other physical characteristics.
"It's
incredibly rare to discover a new species of primate, let alone
three new species," said Steven Goodman of the Field Museum
of Natural History in Chicago, who participated in the study.
Other participants were from Germany and Madagascar.
The three
newly discovered species inhabit only the dry, dense forests along
the island's west coast. They are about the size of a chipmunk
and weigh a few ounces. They eat beetles, fruit and plants. They
are active only at night.
The scientists
said they also found what they believe are two more previously
unknown species of mouse lemur, but the determination must be
approved by an international panel of primate experts.
Madagascar
is a large island off Africa's east coast. Scientists believe
it split off the continent about 165 million years ago and many
of its plant and animal species are unique to the island. The
oldest lemur fossils are about 58 million years old, making them
important links in studies of the evolution of humans and other
primates.
Madagascar
has been stripped of 90 percent of its original forests, threatening
the survival of many species.
Conservationists
fear that 10 percent of the world's primate species, which also
include humans, apes and monkeys, will go extinct in the next
10 or 20 years.
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