Difference between revisions of "Lemur" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{Taxobox | color = pink
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| name = Lemurs<ref name=MSW>{{MSW3 Groves|pages=111-121}}</ref>
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| image = Lemurs.jpg
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| image_width = 250px
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| image_caption =[[Ring-tailed Lemur]]s (''Lemur catta'')
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| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
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| phylum = [[Chordata]]
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| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
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| ordo = [[Primate]]s
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| subordo = [[Strepsirrhini]]
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| infraordo = '''Lemuriformes'''
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| infraordo_authority = [[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1821
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| subdivision_ranks = [[Family (biology)|Superfamilies and Families]]
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|subdivision = *[[Cheirogaleoidea]]
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**[[Cheirogaleidae]]
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*[[Lemuroidea]]
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**[[Lemuridae]]
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**[[Lepilemuridae]]
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**[[Indriidae]]
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}}
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'''Lemurs''' make up the infraorder '''Lemuriformes''' and are members of a class of [[primate]]s known as [[prosimian]]s . This type of primate was considered the evolutionary predecessor of [[simian]]s: monkeys and apes, however this classification is not phylogenetically 'valid'.  Three of the four [[prosimian]]s are in the suborder [[Strepsirrhini]], which is not the same suborder as monkeys and apes, suborder [[Haplorrhini]]. The term "lemur" is derived from the [[Latin]] word ''[[lemures]]'', meaning "spirits of the night," or "ghost(s)" 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.
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==Biology==
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Lemurs are [[endemic (ecology)|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.<ref>{{cite web | title="What's A Lemur?"| url=http://www.pbs.org/edens/madagascar/creature2.htm| accessdate=2006-04-19}}</ref> 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 some of which weighed up to 240 kg<ref name=Strier>{{cite book | author = Strier, Karen B. | title = Primate Behavioral Ecology | publisher = Allyn and Bacon | location = Boston | year = 2000 | pages = 49}}</ref> 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 animal|diurnal]]).
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The small [[cheirogaleoid]]s are generally [[omnivore]]s, eating a variety of fruits, flowers and leaves (and sometimes nectar) as well as insects, spiders and small [[vertebrate]]s. The remainder of the lemurs, the [[lemuroid]]s are primarily [[herbivore]]s, although some species supplement their diet with insects.
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Lemurs have opposable thumbs and long grasping toes, but their tails are not prehensile. Lemurs have nails rather than claws. All lemur species have a tapetum, the reflective layer over the retina.<ref name=Strier/> Lemurs are thought to have limited color vision.<ref name=Strier/> <!-- need a more recent studies to confirm  this information —> Lemurs depend quite heavily on the sense of smell and have large nasal cavities and moist noses.<ref name=Strier/>
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Unlike most other primates, lemur species that live in groups have a [[Matriarchy|Matriarchal]] society (i.e. females are dominant over males). Most lemur species are primarily arboreal and traverse the canopy by vertical clinging and leaping or quadrupedalism, with the notable exception of the Ring-Tailed Lemur (''Lemur catta'') which spends a considerable amount of time moving about on the ground.
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===Endangered species===
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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,<ref name=CI>{{cite book | author = Mittermeier, Russell A., Konstant, William R., Hawkins, Frank , Louis, Edward E., and Langrand, Olivier | year = 2006 | title = Lemurs of Madagascar | publisher = Conservation International | edition = 2nd edition | url = http://www.madagascar-library.com/r/544.html | accessdate = 2006-10-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | author =  Andriaholinirina, N., Fausser, J., Roos, C., Rumpler, Y., ''et al''  | title = Molecular phylogeny and taxonomic revision of the sportive lemurs (''Lepilemur'', Primates) | date = 2006 February 23 | journal = BMC Evolutionary Biology | volume = 6 | pages= 17 | id = {{DOI|10.1186/1471-2148-6-17}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | author = 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 | year = 2006 | title = Molecular and morphological analyses of the sportive lemurs (Family Megaladapidae: Genus ''Lepilemur'') reveals 11 previously unrecognized species | journal = Texas Tech University Special Publications | issue = 49 | pages = 1-49 | url = http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/publications/opapers/specpubs/SP49.pdf | format = PDF}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | author = Olivieria, G., Zimmermannb, E., Randrianambininab, B., Rassoloharijaonab, S., Rakotondravonyb, D., Guschanskia, K., Radespiela, U. | date = 2006-10-26 | title = The ever-increasing diversity in mouse lemurs: three new species in north and northwestern Madagascar | journal = Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution | id = {{DOI | 10.1016/j.ympev.2006.10.026 }}}}</ref> with more currently awaiting publication. Indigenous superstitions that [[strepsirrhine]]s like the nocturnal [[Aye-aye]] are [[omen]]s and harbingers of bad fortune motivate some locals in remote areas to post hunting traps.
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One of the foremost lemur research facilities is the [[Duke University Lemur Center]].
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==Classification==
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[[Image:wiki_ringtailed_lemur.jpg|thumb|330px|Thermographic image of a Ring-tailed Lemur in the morning sun.]]
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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 [[haplorrhine]]s, suggesting they split off from the other lemurs first. As such, the Cheirogaleoidea are a sister [[clade]] to the Lemuroidea.
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* ORDER [[primate|PRIMATES]]<ref name=MSW/>
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** Suborder [[Strepsirrhini]]: non-tarsier prosimians
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*** '''Infraorder Lemuriformes'''
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**** Superfamily [[Cheirogaleidae|Cheirogaleoidea]]
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***** Family [[Cheirogaleidae]]: dwarf and mouse lemurs
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**** Superfamily [[Lemuroidea]]
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***** Family [[Lemuridae]]: lemurs
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***** Family [[Lepilemuridae]]: sportive lemurs
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***** Family [[Indriidae]]: woolly lemurs, sifakas, and allies
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*** Infraorder [[Aye-aye|Chiromyiformes]]: Aye-aye
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*** Infraorder [[Lorisiformes]]: [[galago]]s (bushbabies) and [[loris]]es
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** Suborder [[Haplorrhini]]: tarsiers, monkeys and apes
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==In popular culture==
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Lemurs are not as commonly seen as other primates in pop culture settings, but they have recently gained in popularity due to greater exposure.
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*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."
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*A Ring-tailed Lemur starred in the 1997 movie ''[[Fierce Creatures]]'' written by [[John Cleese]].
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*[[Zoboomafoo]], an educational PBS Kids television program, features a [[Coquerel's Sifaka]] who is also the show's namesake.
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*The Disney film [[Dinosaur (film)|Dinosaur]] (2000) features [[sifaka]]s raising a dinosaur hatchling.
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*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.
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*[[Madagascar (film)|Madagascar]], a computer-animated film produced by DreamWorks Animation in 2005, prominently features a group of singing and dancing lemurs.
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*[[The Katurran Odyssey]] book written by [[David Michael Wieger]] and created and illustrated by Star Wars creature designer [[Terryl Whitlatch]] has a ring-tailed lemur protagonist, and other lemur characters on his native island.
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* 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]].
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* 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."
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*The American rock group [[The Mars Volta]] used a lemur in their logos, and one is used as the principal character in the video for their single [[Televators]][http://video.aol.com/video/the-mars-volta-televators/1128022]
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*[[Lemurcon]] is a roughly annual late summer/early fall get-together of lemur enthusiasts at the Duke Lemur Center in North Carolina.  Very roughly, this can be traced to the [[Usenet]] [[alt.fan.lemur]] mailing list.
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== Gallery ==
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<gallery>
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Image:Bw_Ruffed_lemur.jpg|Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur
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Image:Red-ruffed_lemur.jpg|Red Ruffed Lemur
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image:Lemur walking.jpg|Ring-tailed Lemur
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image:Lemur-ring-tailed.JPG|Ring-tailed Lemur from the Monkey Rainforest
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image:Ruffed_lemur.JPG|Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur
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Image:Brown_lemur.JPG|White-fronted Brown Lemur at Blackpool Zoo
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Image:Ringtailedlemur.JPG|Ring-tailed Lemur at Marwell Zoological Park
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Image:Lemur AH.jpg|Ring-tailed Lemur at San Diego Wild Animal Park
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</gallery>
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==References==
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<references/>
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==External links==
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{{commons|Lemur}}
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{{Wikispecies|Lemuriformes|Lemur}}
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*[http://lemur.duke.edu/ Duke University Lemur Center]  Lots of photographs, information, and research programs.
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*[http://www.madagascar-library.com/c/Fauna/Madagascar/Mammals/Lemurs.html List of Books about Lemurs]
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*[http://www.bushhouse-madagascar.com/lemurs.html  Lemurs of the East Coast of Madagascar]
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*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4135670.stm  New lemurs found in Madagascar]
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*[http://www.wildmadagascar.org/wildlife/lemurs.html  Lemurs of Madagascar]
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*[http://www.palmarium.biz/lemuriens.html  Lemurs of The Palmarium reserve], about 10 different lemur species living in complete freedom!
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*[http://www.tc.umn.edu/~mart1152/ Read about Red-ruffed and White-fronted brown lemur research]
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[[Category:Life sciences]]{{credit|150878494}}

Revision as of 23:34, 16 August 2007

Lemurs[1]
Ring-tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta)
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 make up the infraorder Lemuriformes and are members of a class of primates known as prosimians . This type of primate was considered the evolutionary predecessor of simians: monkeys and apes, however this classification is not phylogenetically 'valid'. Three of the four prosimians are in the suborder Strepsirrhini, which is not the same suborder as monkeys and apes, suborder Haplorrhini. The term "lemur" is derived from the Latin word lemures, meaning "spirits of the night," or "ghost(s)" 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.

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 some of which weighed up to 240 kg[3] 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).

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.

Lemurs have opposable thumbs and long grasping toes, but their tails are not prehensile. Lemurs have nails rather than claws. All lemur species have a tapetum, the reflective layer over the retina.[3] Lemurs are thought to have limited color vision.[3] Lemurs depend quite heavily on the sense of smell and have large nasal cavities and moist noses.[3]

Unlike most other primates, lemur species that live in groups have a Matriarchal society (i.e. females are dominant over males). Most lemur species are primarily arboreal and traverse the canopy by vertical clinging and leaping or quadrupedalism, with the notable exception of the Ring-Tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) which spends a considerable amount of time moving about on the ground.


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,[4][5][6][7] 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.

Classification

Thermographic image of a Ring-tailed Lemur in the morning sun.

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, sifakas, and allies
      • Infraorder Chiromyiformes: Aye-aye
      • Infraorder Lorisiformes: galagos (bushbabies) and lorises
    • Suborder Haplorrhini: tarsiers, monkeys and apes

In popular culture

Lemurs are not as commonly seen as other primates in pop culture settings, but they 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."
  • A Ring-tailed Lemur starred in the 1997 movie Fierce Creatures written by John Cleese.
  • Zoboomafoo, an educational PBS Kids television program, features a Coquerel's Sifaka who is also the show's namesake.
  • The Disney film Dinosaur (2000) features sifakas 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.
  • The Katurran Odyssey book written by David Michael Wieger and created and illustrated by Star Wars creature designer Terryl Whitlatch has a ring-tailed lemur protagonist, and other lemur characters on his native island.
  • 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."
  • The American rock group The Mars Volta used a lemur in their logos, and one is used as the principal character in the video for their single Televators[1]
  • Lemurcon is a roughly annual late summer/early fall get-together of lemur enthusiasts at the Duke Lemur Center in North Carolina. Very roughly, this can be traced to the Usenet alt.fan.lemur mailing list.

Gallery

  • Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur

  • Red Ruffed Lemur

  • Ring-tailed Lemur

  • Ring-tailed Lemur from the Monkey Rainforest

  • Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur

  • White-fronted Brown Lemur at Blackpool Zoo

  • Ring-tailed Lemur at Marwell Zoological Park

  • Ring-tailed Lemur at San Diego Wild Animal Park

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 C. Groves, "Order Primates," "Order Monotremata," (and select other orders). Page(s) 111-121 in D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder, eds., Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press (2005). ISBN 0801882214.
  2. ↑ "What's A Lemur?". Retrieved 2006-04-19.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Strier, Karen B. (2000). Primate Behavioral Ecology. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 49. 
  4. ↑ Mittermeier, Russell A., Konstant, William R., Hawkins, Frank , Louis, Edward E., and Langrand, Olivier (2006). Lemurs of Madagascar, 2nd edition, Conservation International. Retrieved 2006-10-29. 
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ 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. Texas Tech University Special Publications (49): 1-49.
  7. ↑ 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

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