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Lemur boon on Madagascar

Genetic analysis turns up three new species.

The number of known species of the mouse lemur, the world's smallest primate, has increased by 25% with the description of three new species, bringing the total to 15.

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Posted by Nicola Jones on November 24, 2006 05:57 PM |

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As a qualified Primate Conservationist I love lemurs..I really do...I even have a tattoo of an indri with save the lemur slogan on my shoulder!...but this idea of naming new species ('splitters') based on genetic variation alone and even then based on little variation, may have a negative impact on lemur conservation. It means ultimately more money required and, perhaps more importantly, a sustained interest from the public, which is persistently put to the test with a call for seperate funding requirements for each new species named. Additionally, at what point do we say for each family what the genetic difference should be before we call it a new species? As Jorg Ganzhorn states, some species genetic difference is so small it is questionable they should be classified a new species at all.

Posted by: Simon Downs | November 27, 2006 07:09 PM

Wouldn't the title to this sound better as "Lemur boom on Madagascar"? I guess that three new species is indeed a boon (or benefit or timely blessing) TO Madagascar, but it sounds like boom (sudden increase) is more what was meant.

Posted by: Jacqueline | November 27, 2006 07:32 PM

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