[Breeding ecology of Microgale brevicaudata (Tenrecidae) in northeastern Madagascar]. / Écologie de la reproduction de Microgale brevicaudata (Tenrecidae) dans le Nord-Est de Madagascar.

With the aim of providing additional information on the reproductive ecology of Microgale brevicaudata G. Grandidier, 1899, the present study examines the breeding season of this species and other related aspects across a range of native forest areas and human modified habitats. This poorly known species occurs in the lowland moist evergreen forest of the Marojejy National Park and the surrounding anthropic zones. Three areas of Marojejy were visited, two of which (Antsahabe and Sarahandrano) during a range of seasons and one (Marojejy NP) during the hot and humid season. Information on the sex, age, and sexual maturity of each captured individual of M. brevicaudata during small mammal surveys and different associated extrapolations indicates that it mates towards the end of the cold and dry season (September-October), and parturition and lactation commence towards the start of the hot and humid season (November-December). Each captured pregnant female had one or two embryos (n = 22). The comparison of reproductive status (X2 = 0.91; df = 2; p > 0.05) and breeding season (X2 = 8.53; df = 7; p > 0.05) of trapped M. brevicaudata indicate that there is no significant difference in the annual breeding cycle between the types of habitats where the species is found on Marojejy, ranging from natural forest to human-disturbed habitats.

[Diet of Microgale brevicaudata (Tenrecidae) in northeast Madagascar]. / Régime alimentaire de Microgale brevicaudata (Tenrecidae), Nord-Est de Madagascar.

Herein we provide a dietary analysis using stomach contents of Microgale brevicaudata (G. Grandidier, 1899), a poorly known species of shrew tenrec, in the dense lowland moist evergreen forest of the Marojejy National Park and human modified habitats in the peripheral zones. We specifically examine the arthropods consumed by this species and variation related to season, habitat type, sex and age of individuals. Analysis of stomach contents shows that the principal prey types of this species in order of importance are Coleoptera and followed by Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, and Araneae. No differences in prey consumed were found between age and sex classes, nor season, but the percentage of the different arthropod groups varies with the type of habitat.