A 24-Year Record of Female Reproductive Dynamics in Two Sympatric Mouse Lemur Species in Northwestern Madagascar

Abstract Seasonal reproduction is widespread among primates but the degree of reproductive synchrony and plasticity can vary, even between closely related species. This study compares dynamics female seasonality in two mouse lemur species, Microcebus murinus M. ravelobensis, Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar, across 24 years. We collected 4321 records state from 1033 individual females (319 , 714 ravelobensis ). The analyses revealed disparate schedules: While showed high degrees throughout all years, leading to production successive litters, seasonal onset estrus (= activation) was more flexible than starting 2-4 weeks earlier, varying by up 4 being less synchronized. became reproductively active later years with rainfall, particular rain February, timing activation not differences temperatures. likelihood early conception significantly lower . partly due delayed young animals, a for low body mass Our results suggest high, adaptive that may enable individuals respond flexibly yearly environmental changes expand period under favorable conditions. These species schedules be result divergent evolutionary histories different parts Madagascar.