Ute Radespiel
Biographic Data
| ID | 76944 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Ute Radespiel |
| GIVEN NAMES | Ute |
| FAMILY NAME | Radespiel |
| SIGNATURE | RADESPIEL U |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-0814-2404 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 44 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 64 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 44 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1993 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
Influence of Vegetation Structure on Lemur Recolonization of Post‐Fire Habitats in Northwestern Madagascar
Habitat quality is a key determinant of wildlife distribution. Fire degrades forests by increasing canopy openness and eliminating even large trees, providing shelter and necessary resources for many species. In Madagascar, fires are prominent, yet the mechanisms linking fire disturbance to lemur habitat occupation remain poorly understood. We conducted a study inside Ankarafantsika National Park during the dry seasons of 2022 and 2023, collectin…
Where the small things are: Modelling edge effects on mouse lemur population density and distribution in northwestern Madagascar
Edge effects result from the penetration to varying depths and intensities, of abiotic and biotic conditions from the surrounding non‐forest matrix into the forest interior. Although 70% of the world's forests are within 1 km of a forest edge, making edge effects a dominant feature of most forest habitats, there are few empirical data on inter‐site differences in edge responses in primates. We used spatially explicit capture‐recapture (SECR) mode…
Cognitive Performance in Wild and Captive Grey Mouse Lemurs (Microcebus murinus)
Animal’s cognitive abilities have traditionally been studied in captive settings and only more recently in the wild. Few studies have investigated whether and how captive and wild animals differ in performance in cognitive tasks. We tested the effect of age, sex, and wild versus captive origin on cognitive performance in a problem solving (captive: N = 34; wild: N = 83), an inhibitory control (captive: N = 34; wild: N = 91), and a causal understa…
Evidence for female dominance in the Milne‐Edwards' sportive lemur ( Lepilemur edwardsi )
Female dominance over males is more frequent in Malagasy lemurs than in other primate clades, but patterns of female–male dominance vary among species, and few data are available for one particularly species‐rich genus, Lepilemur . We investigated the types, temporal distribution, and outcome of female–male agonistic conflicts in the Milne‐Edwards' sportive lemur ( Lepilemur edwardsi ). Ten L. edwardsi belonging to five social units were equipped…
Host‐related and environmental factors influence long‐term ectoparasite infestation dynamics of mouse lemurs in northwestern Madagascar
Parasite infestations depend on multiple host‐related and environmental factors. In the case of ectoparasites, which are exposed to the environment beyond the host, an impact of climate, expressed by seasonal or yearly variations, can be expected. However, long‐term dynamics of ectoparasite infestations are rarely studied in nonhuman primates. We investigated the yearly variations in ectoparasite infestations of two small primates, the gray ( Mic…
Habitat and ecological niche characteristics of the elusive Hairy‐eared Dwarf Lemur ( Allocebus trichotis ) with updated occurrence and geographic range data
Ecological niche modeling (ENM) is particularly useful in the study of cryptic and elusive species that are only rarely seen, difficult to study in the wild, and simultaneously threatened by a multitude of anthropogenic factors. We collected presence records one such example, the understudied Hairy‐eared Dwarf Lemur ( Allocebus trichotis ), from the literature and supplemented these with observations from surveys in previously unstudied areas to …
Filarial infections in lemurs: Evidence for a wide geographical distribution and low host specificity among lemur species
The relevance of emerging infectious diseases continues to grow worldwide as human activities increasingly extend into formerly remote natural areas. This is particularly noticeable on the island of Madagascar. As closest relatives to humans on the island, lemurs are of particular relevance as a potential origin of zoonotic pathogen spillover. Knowledge of pathogens circulating in lemur populations is, however, very poor. Particularly little is k…
Variation in abundance and habitat use of the critically endangered Microcebus gerpi across its fragmented range
A link between the abundance of species and their degree of ecological specialization has previously been suggested within the primate order. Many species of lemurs were only recently described and even basic ecological data are not yet available for them. We investigated the habitat use, abundance, and habitat characteristics of the critically endangered Microcebus gerpi and evaluated potential impacts of vegetation structure and human disturban…
Shifting Biogeographic Patterns of Microcebus ravelobensis and M. murinus
A 24-Year Record of Female Reproductive Dynamics in Two Sympatric Mouse Lemur Species in Northwestern Madagascar
Seasonal reproduction is widespread among primates but the degree of reproductive synchrony and plasticity can vary, even between closely related species. This study compares the dynamics of female reproductive seasonality in two mouse lemur species, Microcebus murinus and M. ravelobensis, in Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar, across 24 years. We collected 4321 records of female reproductive state from 1033 individual females (319 M. murin…
Introduction to the Special Issue Celebrating the Life and Work of Elke Zimmermann
Over the 34 years of her career as a zoologist and primatologist, she became interested in and published on a large variety of research topics and study species ranging from amphibians to primates and worked with equal dedication on free-ranging animal populations and with standardized experimental approaches in captivity.Encouraged by her father, Elke became interested in zoology very early in life.She published her first article when she was 16…
Ecological fragmentation effects in mouse lemurs and small mammals in northwestern Madagascar
Habitat loss and fragmentation are major ecological forces threatening animal communities across the globe. These issues are especially true in Madagascar, where forest loss is ongoing. We examined the effects of forest fragmentation on the distribution and abundance of sympatric, endemic gray, and golden‐brown mouse lemurs ( Microcebus murinus and Microcebus ravelobensis ), the endemic western tuft‐tailed rat ( Eliurus myoxinus ), and the invasi…
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Elke Zimmermann
An empirical estimate of the generation time of mouse lemurs
The generation time of organisms drives the rate of change in populations and across evolutionary times. In long‐lived species, generation time should also account for overlapping generations, and the average age of parents has been proposed as a best approximation under these conditions. This study uses this definition to estimate the generation time of a widely studied small primate, Microcebus murinus , based on parentage data generated for a …
Primate Life Histories
Shades of gray mouse lemurs: Ontogeny of female dominance and dominance‐related behaviors in a nocturnal primate
The ontogeny and establishment of dominance relationships in young individuals have been investigated in various group-living, diurnal primates but respective information is almost entirely lacking for nocturnal, non-gregarious species. As in many other mammals male primates often represent the dominant sex, but the opposite phenomenon (female dominance) is particularly frequent in lemurs, although almost nothing is known about its development. T…
Need for speed: Sexual maturation precedes social maturation in gray mouse lemurs
Species concepts, diversity, and evolution in primates: Lessons to be learned from mouse lemurs
Humans primarily rely on vision when categorizing the world. If you just look at the same-sized but strikingly differently colored Neotropical poison-dart frogs such as strawberry frogs (Fig. ), you would be convinced that they must belong to different species. However, this is an excellent example of a polymorphic species, meaning that although these frogs look quite different, mating decisions are made based on their conspicuous and species-spe…
Primate Life Histories
The lack of female dominance in golden‐brown mouse lemurs suggests alternative routes in lemur social evolution
Female dominance is a well‐known trait of lemurs, although it has not been reported from all species and is still often unexplored, especially in the nocturnal species. We examined the intersexual dominance relationships in Microcebus ravelobensis, a congener of M. murinus who is well known for its female dominance. Given the many similarities in biology, it was predicted that M. ravelobensis should also possess female dominance. Seventeen unfami…
Density Estimates of Two Endangered Nocturnal Lemur Species From Northern M adagascar: New Results and a Comparison of Commonly Used Methods
Very little information is known of the recently described M icrocebus tavaratra and L epilemur milanoii in the D araina region, a restricted area in far northern M adagascar. Since their forest habitat is highly fragmented and expected to undergo significant changes in the future, rapid surveys are essential to determine conservation priorities. Using both distance sampling and capture–recapture methods, we estimated population densities in two …
Seasonal Changes in Feeding Ecology and Activity Patterns of Two Sympatric Mouse Lemur Species, the Gray Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus) and the Golden-brown Mouse Lemur (M. ravelobensis), in Northwe…
Experimental evidence for olfactory predator recognition in wild mouse lemurs
Although primates have remarkable olfactory capabilities, their ability for olfactory predator recognition is still understudied. We investigated this cognitive ability in wild gray and golden‐brown mouse lemurs ( Microcebus murinus and M. ravelobensis ) that were confronted with four different olfactory stimuli, derived from two Malagasy predators (fossa and barn owl) and two local nonpredator species (brown lemur and sifaka). The predator respo…
Different competitive potential in two coexisting mouse lemur species in northwestern Madagascar
Interspecific competition has been suggested to influence the biogeographic distribution patterns of species. A high competitive potential could entail species‐specific advantages during resource acquisition that could translate into a higher potential for range expansion. We investigated whether differences in the competitive potential of the morphologically similar and partially sympatric gray mouse lemur ( Microcebus murinus ) and golden‐brown…
Leaf nest use and construction in the golden‐brown mouse lemur ( Microcebus ravelobensis ) in the Ankarafantsika National Park
The use of leaf nests has been documented in several mouse lemur species over the last few decades, including the golden‐brown mouse lemur. Nest construction, however, has only rarely been observed and detailed descriptions of this process are lacking so far. We aim to determine the relative importance of leaf nests as shelters for the golden‐brown mouse lemur, and to test predictions concerning the role of thermoregulation, safety (i.e., protect…
Feeding Ecology of Sympatric Mouse Lemur Species in Northwestern Madagascar
Social organization of the golden brown mouse lemur ( Microcebus ravelobensis )
Our study provides the first data on the social organization of the golden brown mouse lemur, a nocturnal primate discovered in northwestern Madagascar in 1994. The study was carried out in two 6‐month field periods during the dry season, covering time before and during the mating season. The spatial and temporal distributions of the sexes in the population were investigated by mark/recapture and radiotelemetry. Focal observations and the determi…
Comparison of Reproductive Characteristics and Changes in Body Weight Between Captive Populations of Rufous and Gray Mouse Lemurs
Dynamics of Estrous Synchrony in Captive Gray Mouse Lemurs (Microcebus murinus)
A 24-Year Record of Female Reproductive Dynamics in Two Sympatric Mouse Lemur Species in Northwestern Madagascar
Seasonal reproduction is widespread among primates but the degree of reproductive synchrony and plasticity can vary, even between closely related species. This study compares the dynamics of female reproductive seasonality in two mouse lemur species, Microcebus murinus and M. ravelobensis, in Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar, across 24 years. We collected 4321 records of female reproductive state from 1033 individual females (319 M. murin…
The lack of female dominance in golden‐brown mouse lemurs suggests alternative routes in lemur social evolution
Female dominance is a well‐known trait of lemurs, although it has not been reported from all species and is still often unexplored, especially in the nocturnal species. We examined the intersexual dominance relationships in Microcebus ravelobensis, a congener of M. murinus who is well known for its female dominance. Given the many similarities in biology, it was predicted that M. ravelobensis should also possess female dominance. Seventeen unfami…
Different competitive potential in two coexisting mouse lemur species in northwestern Madagascar
Interspecific competition has been suggested to influence the biogeographic distribution patterns of species. A high competitive potential could entail species‐specific advantages during resource acquisition that could translate into a higher potential for range expansion. We investigated whether differences in the competitive potential of the morphologically similar and partially sympatric gray mouse lemur ( Microcebus murinus ) and golden‐brown…
Long-term study of infant-carrying behavior in captive common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus): Effect of nonreproductive helpers on the parents' carrying performance
Experience‐dependent recapture rates and reproductive success in male grey mouse lemurs ( Microcebus murinus )
Male mating tactics can vary according to the potential for scramble or contest competition but also as a consequence of individual characteristics, such as body condition and previous experience. The influence of experience, i.e., residency, on male recapture rates and reproductive success was studied in a population of free‐living grey mouse lemurs. Long‐term capture data from 320 individuals revealed that both sexes had very low recapture prob…
Shifting Biogeographic Patterns of Microcebus ravelobensis and M. murinus
Long-term study of infant-carrying behavior in captive common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus): Effect of nonreproductive helpers on the parents' carrying performance
Sex‐specific usage patterns of sleeping sites in grey mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus) in northwestern Madagascar
Sex-specific usage patterns of sleeping sites in grey mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus) in northwestern Madagascar
Sleeping sites are a potentially important resource for grey mouse lemurs since they are confronted with high daily temperature fluctuations and a high predation pressure. In order to determine the existence and degree of resource competition, sleeping site characteristics, locations, and usage patterns as well as sleeping group compositions were investigated in a 3 month field study in a dry deciduous forest of northwestern Madagascar. The daily…
Advances in studies of sociality in nocturnal prosimians
Advances in studies of sociality in nocturnal prosimians
The evolution of sociality and its differential expression in primate social organizations have been a major focus of primatology for several decades. The processes shaping specific mating systems and social relationships (such as sexual selection and life history strategies) and the underlying selective pressures (predation pressure, feeding competition, etc.) have been investigated for a growing number of primate species. We know much more abou…
Sociality in the gray mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus) in northwestern Madagascar
The mating system and social organization of the gray mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus) was investigated in two three-month field studies (covering a period before, during, and after the first mating season) in Ampijoroa, northwestern Madagascar. The spatial and temporal distribution of the sexes within a population was studied using mark/recapture techniques and radiotelemetry to assess possible contest or scramble competition between the males. …
Contest versus scramble competition for mates: The composition and spatial structure of a population of gray mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus) in North-west Madagascar
Female dominance in captive gray mouse lemurs ( Microcebus murinus )
Female dominance or female feeding priority seem to be characteristic for many lemur species, but are rare traits in other primates and mammals in general. The nocturnal lemur species, however, are underrepresented in the quantitative studies on social dominance. The aim of this study is to investigate the pattern of intersexual dominance relationships in the gray mouse lemur ( Microcebus murinus ), a species that is generally thought to possess …
Dynamics of Estrous Synchrony in Captive Gray Mouse Lemurs (Microcebus murinus)
Comparison of Reproductive Characteristics and Changes in Body Weight Between Captive Populations of Rufous and Gray Mouse Lemurs
Seasonal changes in general activity, body mass and reproduction of two small nocturnal primates: A comparison of the golden brown mouse lemur ( Microcebus ravelobensis ) in Northwestern Madagascar an…
Species‐specific usage of sleeping sites in two sympatric mouse lemur species ( Microcebus murinus and M. ravelobensis ) in northwestern Madagascar
We investigated the sleeping site ecology of two sympatric mouse lemur species ( Microcebus murinus and M. ravelobensis ) in northwestern Madagascar during the second half of the dry season with respect to the type, quality, and usage pattern of the sleeping sites, as well as to social sleeping habits and response to potential threats. The type and quality of the sleeping sites differed between the two species. M. murinus used protected wooden sh…
First experimental evidence for female mate choice in a nocturnal primate
Social organization of the golden brown mouse lemur ( Microcebus ravelobensis )
Our study provides the first data on the social organization of the golden brown mouse lemur, a nocturnal primate discovered in northwestern Madagascar in 1994. The study was carried out in two 6‐month field periods during the dry season, covering time before and during the mating season. The spatial and temporal distributions of the sexes in the population were investigated by mark/recapture and radiotelemetry. Focal observations and the determi…
Feeding Ecology of Sympatric Mouse Lemur Species in Northwestern Madagascar
Primate Life Histories
Experience‐dependent recapture rates and reproductive success in male grey mouse lemurs ( Microcebus murinus )
Male mating tactics can vary according to the potential for scramble or contest competition but also as a consequence of individual characteristics, such as body condition and previous experience. The influence of experience, i.e., residency, on male recapture rates and reproductive success was studied in a population of free‐living grey mouse lemurs. Long‐term capture data from 320 individuals revealed that both sexes had very low recapture prob…
Natural and anthropogenic determinants of genetic structure in the largest remaining population of the endangered golden‐brown mouse lemur, Microcebus ravelobensis
Genetic differentiation between natural populations is best understood as a result of both natural and anthropogenic factors. Genetic studies on large populations still living under relatively undisturbed conditions are extremely valuable to disentangle these influences. The effect of three natural (geographic distance, landscape, dispersal) factors and two anthropogenic factors (road, savannah) on gene flow was analyzed in the largest remaining …
Varying patterns of coexistence of two mouse lemur species ( Microcebus ravelobensis and M. murinus ) in a heterogeneous landscape
The coexistence of closely related species is not easily understood on the basis of ecological theories. This study investigates the extent of coexistence of two congeneric species of Microcebus murinus (MUR) and M. ravelobensis (RAV) in northwestern Madagascar. Their presence and local relative population densities were determined by capturing and nocturnal transect counts and compared at 22 study sites in the Ankarafantsika National Park. All s…
Leaf nest use and construction in the golden‐brown mouse lemur ( Microcebus ravelobensis ) in the Ankarafantsika National Park
The use of leaf nests has been documented in several mouse lemur species over the last few decades, including the golden‐brown mouse lemur. Nest construction, however, has only rarely been observed and detailed descriptions of this process are lacking so far. We aim to determine the relative importance of leaf nests as shelters for the golden‐brown mouse lemur, and to test predictions concerning the role of thermoregulation, safety (i.e., protect…
Seasonal Changes in Feeding Ecology and Activity Patterns of Two Sympatric Mouse Lemur Species, the Gray Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus) and the Golden-brown Mouse Lemur (M. ravelobensis), in Northwe…
Experimental evidence for olfactory predator recognition in wild mouse lemurs
Although primates have remarkable olfactory capabilities, their ability for olfactory predator recognition is still understudied. We investigated this cognitive ability in wild gray and golden‐brown mouse lemurs ( Microcebus murinus and M. ravelobensis ) that were confronted with four different olfactory stimuli, derived from two Malagasy predators (fossa and barn owl) and two local nonpredator species (brown lemur and sifaka). The predator respo…
Different competitive potential in two coexisting mouse lemur species in northwestern Madagascar
Interspecific competition has been suggested to influence the biogeographic distribution patterns of species. A high competitive potential could entail species‐specific advantages during resource acquisition that could translate into a higher potential for range expansion. We investigated whether differences in the competitive potential of the morphologically similar and partially sympatric gray mouse lemur ( Microcebus murinus ) and golden‐brown…
Density Estimates of Two Endangered Nocturnal Lemur Species From Northern M adagascar: New Results and a Comparison of Commonly Used Methods
Very little information is known of the recently described M icrocebus tavaratra and L epilemur milanoii in the D araina region, a restricted area in far northern M adagascar. Since their forest habitat is highly fragmented and expected to undergo significant changes in the future, rapid surveys are essential to determine conservation priorities. Using both distance sampling and capture–recapture methods, we estimated population densities in two …
Primate Life Histories
Primate Behavior and Ecology (41 works) · Biology (40 works) · Primate (31 works) · Lemur (30 works) · Ecology (28 works) · Animal Behavior and Reproduction (27 works) · Zoology (27 works) · Amphibian and Reptile Biology (19 works) · Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior (15 works) · Animal ecology (14 works)