Lemur

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Lemurs[1]
Ring-tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia   Phylum: Chordata   Class: Mammalia   Order: Primates   Suborder: Strepsirrhini   Infraorder: Lemuriformes Gray, 1821
Superfamilies and Families
Cheirogaleoidea Cheirogaleidae Lemuroidea Lemuridae Lepilemuridae Indriidae

Lemurs are members of a class of primates known as prosimians and make up the infraorder Lemuriformes. This type of primate is considered the evolutionary predecessor of simians: monkeys and apes. The term "lemur" is derived from the Latin word lemures, meaning "spirits of the night," and likely refers to the large, reflective eyes which many of the nocturnal lemur species have. The term is generically used for the members of the four lemuriform families, but it is also the genus of one of the lemuriform species, the Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta). The two so-called flying lemur species are not lemurs, nor are they even primates.

Contents 1 Biology 1.1 Endangered species 2 In popular culture 3 Classification 4 References 5 External links

Biology

Lemurs are found naturally only on the island of Madagascar and some smaller surrounding islands, including the Comoros (where it is likely they were introduced by humans). Fossil evidence indicates that they made their way across the ocean after Madagascar broke away from the continent of Africa.^[2] While their ancestors were displaced in the rest of the world by monkeys, apes, and other primates, the lemurs were safe from competition on Madagascar and differentiated into a number of species. These range in size from the tiny 30 gram (1 oz) Pygmy Mouse Lemur to the 10 kilogram (22 lb) Indri. The larger species have all become extinct since humans settled on Madagascar, and since the early 20th century the largest lemurs reach about 7 kilograms (15 lbs). Typically, the smaller lemurs are active at night (nocturnal), while the larger ones are active during the day (diurnal). Lemurs have opposable thumbs and long grasping toes, but their tails are not prehensile.

The small cheirogaleoids are generally omnivores, eating a variety of fruits, flowers and leaves (and sometimes nectar) as well as insects, spiders and small vertebrates. The remainder of the lemurs, the lemuroids are primarily herbivores, although some species supplement their diet with insects.

Endangered species

All lemurs are endangered species or threatened species, many species became already extinct in the last centuries, due mainly to habitat destruction (deforestation) and hunting. Although conservation efforts are under way, options are limited because of the lemurs' limited range and because of Madagascar's economic situation relative to the developed world. Currently, there are 85 living lemur species accounted for in current publications,^[3][4][5][6] with more currently awaiting publication. Indigenous superstitions that strepsirrhines like the nocturnal Aye-aye are omens and harbingers of bad fortune motivate some locals in remote areas to post hunting traps.

One of the foremost lemur research facilities is the Duke University Lemur Center.

In popular culture

Lemurs are not as commonly seen as other primates in pop culture settings, but have recently gained in popularity due to greater exposure.

• The novella "Ghost of Chance" by William S. Burroughs, set in Madagascar, initially focuses on a character named Captain Mission, who looks after and cares for lemurs. The book is described on the back cover of the 1995 edition as being "an important story about environmental devastation".
• In the television show Seinfeld, the character of Newman is described as having climbing abilities rivaling those of a Ring-tailed Lemur.
• A Ring-tailed Lemur starred in the 1997 movie Fierce Creatures written by John Cleese.
• Zoboomafoo, an educational PBS Kids television program features a Verreaux's Sifaka who is also the show's namesake.
• The Disney film Dinosaur (2000) features lemurs raising a dinosaur hatchling.
• In the television program Fat Actress, Kirstie Alley keeps a pet lemur who is never seen but referenced in conversations; a recurring gag involves the proper preparation of yams for its meals.
• Madagascar, a computer-animated film produced by DreamWorks Animation in 2005, prominently features a group of singing and dancing lemurs.
• In the Nickelodeon animated series, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Aang keeps a winged lemur named Momo for a pet. Momo mostly resembles a Verreaux's Sifaka.
• In Cartoon Network's The Life and Times of Juniper Lee, the titular character is transformed into a Ring-tailed Lemur in the episode, "The Great Escape."

Classification

As shown here, the four families of lemurs are split into two superfamilies. The Cheirogaleidae have a pedal structure, similar to the other strepsirrhine families and the haplorrhines, suggesting they split off from the other lemurs first. As such, the Cheirogaleoidea are a sister clade to the Lemuroidea.

• ORDER PRIMATES^[1]
  • Suborder Strepsirrhini: non-tarsier prosimians
    • Infraorder Lemuriformes
      • Superfamily Cheirogaleoidea
        • Family Cheirogaleidae: dwarf and mouse lemurs
      • Superfamily Lemuroidea
        • Family Lemuridae: lemurs
        • Family Lepilemuridae: sportive lemurs
        • Family Indriidae: woolly lemurs and allies
    • Infraorder Chiromyiformes
    • Infraorder Lorisiformes
  • Suborder Haplorrhini: tarsiers, monkeys and apes

 References

1. ^ ^{a b} Groves, Colin (16 November 2005). in Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds): Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, 111-121. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. 
2. ^ "What's A Lemur?". Retrieved on 2006-04-19.
3. ^ Mittermeier, Russell A., Konstant, William R., Hawkins, Frank , Louis, Edward E., and Langrand, Olivier (2006). Lemurs of Madagascar, 2nd edition, Conservation International. Retrieved on 2006-10-29. 
4. ^ Andriaholinirina, N., Fausser, J., Roos, C., Rumpler, Y., et al (2006 February 23). "Molecular phylogeny and taxonomic revision of the sportive lemurs (Lepilemur, Primates)". BMC Evolutionary Biology 6: 17. DOI:10.1186/1471-2148-6-17. 
5. ^ Edward E. Louis, Jr., Shannon E. Engberg, Runhua Lei, Huimin Geng, Julie A. Sommer, Richard Randriamampionona, Jean C. Randriamanana, John R. Zaonarivelo, Rambinintsoa Andriantompohavana, Gisele Randria, Prosper, Boromé Ramaromilanto, Gilbert Rakotoarisoa, Alejandro Rooney, and Rick A. Brenneman (2006). "Molecular and morphological analyses of the sportive lemurs (Family Megaladapidae: Genus Lepilemur) reveals 11 previously unrecognized species" (PDF). Texas Tech University Special Publications (49): 1-49. 
6. ^ Olivieria, G., Zimmermannb, E., Randrianambininab, B., Rassoloharijaonab, S., Rakotondravonyb, D., Guschanskia, K., Radespiela, U. (2006-10-26). "The ever-increasing diversity in mouse lemurs: three new species in north and northwestern Madagascar". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. DOI:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.10.026 10.1016/j.ympev.2006.10.026 . 

 External links

• Duke University Lemur Center Lots of photographs, information, and research programs.
• List of Books about Lemurs
• Rare indri lemur born in forest reserve in Madagascar
• Lemurs of the East Coast of Madagascar
• New lemurs found in Madagascar
• Lemurs of Madagascar
• Lemurs of The Palmarium reserve, about 10 different lemur species living in complete freedom!