Eulemur Mongoz Research Articles

Reproduction of the mongoose lemur (Lemur mongoz) in captivity

AbstractResponses to questionnaires sent to 20 institutions holding Lemur mongoz did not reveal which aspects of management or husbandry could account for reproductive failure in the captive population, but allowed some qualitative comparisons with data compiled for captive and wild animals. In general, reproduction has occurred initially among wild‐caught specimens before tapering off, and rarely occurs in the captive F1 generation. Data compiled by the International Species Inventory System and the International Zoo Yearbook revealed an aging captive population with no recent reproduction. No aspect of group composition, activity patterns, seasonal light regime, reproductive cycles, or diet could be linked to the lack of reproduction; and among lemurs subjected to the same conditions, some were known to reproduce while others did not. Lack of knowledge about this species and the threat of extinction for both captive and wild populations make an investigation of reproductive biology imperative. Recommendations for a research program are given.

Transformation of renal cells from a prosimian by simian virus 40 (SV40).

SummaryCultured kidney cells from a prosimian, mongoose lemur were infected with SV40, which induced a typical cytopath-ic effect after an extensive period of incubation. On the 119th day after infection, transformed cells developed from a focus of cells showing a certain degree of degeneration. The new growth of cells grew rapidly, lacked contact inhibition, formed multilayered cells, and synthesized SV40 and a soluble complement-fixing tumor antigen.The authors thank Miss Beverly Cole for her technical assistance.