Dwarf lemur
Genus of lemurs
| Dwarf lemurs | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Greater dwarf lemur(Cheirogaleus major) | |
Conservation status | |
CITES Appendix I (CITES)[2] | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Primates |
| Suborder: | Strepsirrhini |
| Family: | Cheirogaleidae |
| Genus: | Cheirogaleus É. Geoffroy, 1812[1] |
| Type species | |
| Cheirogaleus major É. Geoffroy, 1812 | |
| Species | |
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| Synonyms[1][3] | |
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The dwarf lemurs are the lemurs of the genus Cheirogaleus. All of the species in this genus, like all other lemurs, are native to Madagascar.
Description
Measuring 19–27 cm in body length with a tail about 16–17 cm, they are larger than the mouse lemur but smaller than the gentle lemur. Their heads are globular compared to the fox-like heads of the lemurs, but their muzzles are more pointed than those of the hapalemurs. Their hind limbs are slightly longer than their forelimbs, but not as elongated as in lepilemurs or indriids. Dwarf lemurs have an intermembral index of 71 on average. In contrast to most other primates, their grip is similar to that of South American monkeys with objects picked up and branches grasped between the second and third fingers, rather than between the thumb and index finger. Their nails are somewhat keeled and pointed. [4]
Dwarf lemurs roam the lower strata of the foliage in the coastal forests of eastern Madagascar. They are nocturnal and quadrupeds. They have a period of inactivity (torpor) during the winter season lasting between four and five months. Their tail serves as an area for fat storage, most of which is consumed during periods of food scarcity. Like most nocturnal prosimians, dwarf lemurs are reported as living solitary or in pairs. They nest in tree holes where they often sleep together in curled up positions. Their territories are marked by fecal and scent markings. Their diet consists primarily of fruits and flowers and they seem to play a part in the pollination of certain plants. [4]
Classification
As of 2022[update], 10 species are known.
- Genus Cheirogaleus: dwarf lemurs
- Montagne d'Ambre dwarf lemur, Cheirogaleus andysabini
- Furry-eared dwarf lemur, Cheirogaleus crossleyi
- Groves' dwarf lemur, Cheirogaleus grovesi
- Lavasoa dwarf lemur, Cheirogaleus lavasoensis
- Greater dwarf lemur, Cheirogaleus major
- Fat-tailed dwarf lemur, Cheirogaleus medius
- Lesser iron-gray dwarf lemur, Cheirogaleus minusculus
- Ankarana dwarf lemur, Cheirogaleus shethi
- Sibree's dwarf lemur, Cheirogaleus sibreei
- Thomas' dwarf lemur, Cheirogaleus thomasi
See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cheirogaleus.
Wikispecies has information related to Cheirogaleus.
References
- ^ a b Groves, C. P. (2005). "Genus Cheirogaleus". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 111–112. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ Harcourt, C. (1990). Thornback, J (ed.). Lemurs of Madagascar and the Comoros: The IUCN Red Data Book (PDF). World Conservation Union. ISBN 978-2-88032-957-0. OCLC 28425691.
- ^ McKenna, MC; Bell, SK (1997). Classification of Mammals: Above the Species Level. Columbia University Press. p. 335. ISBN 0-231-11013-8.
- ^ a b Ankel-Simons, Friderun (2007). Primate Anatomy : An Introduction (3rd ed.). Durham, North Carolina: Department of Biological Anthropology and Anatomy, Duke University. pp. 55–56. ISBN 978-0-12-372576-9.
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Extant species of family Cheirogaleidae
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Primates
- Suborder: Strepsirrhini
(dwarf lemurs)
- Fat-tailed dwarf lemur (C. medius)
- Southern fat-tailed dwarf lemur (C. adipicaudatus)
- Greater dwarf lemur (C. major)
- Furry-eared dwarf lemur (C. crossleyi)
- Lesser iron-gray dwarf lemur (C. minusculus)
- Sibree's dwarf lemur (C. sibreei)
- Lavasoa dwarf lemur (C. lavasoensis)
- Montagne d'Ambre dwarf lemur (C. andysabini)
- Groves' dwarf lemur (C. grovesi)
- Thomas' dwarf lemur (C. thomasi)
(mouse lemurs)
- Arnhold's mouse lemur (M. arnholdi)
- Madame Berthe's mouse lemur (M. berthae)
- Bongolava mouse lemur (M. bongolavensis)
- Boraha mouse lemur (M. boraha)
- Danfoss' mouse lemur (M. danfossi)
- Ganzhorn's mouse lemur (M. ganzhorni)
- Gerp's mouse lemur (M. gerpi)
- Reddish-gray mouse lemur (M. griseorufus)
- Jolly's mouse lemur (M. jollyae)
- Jonah's mouse lemur (M. jonahi)
- Goodman's mouse lemur (M. lehilahytsara)
- MacArthur's mouse lemur (M. macarthurii)
- Claire's mouse lemur (M. mamiratra)
- Bemanasy mouse lemur (M. manitatra)
- Margot Marsh's mouse lemur (M. margotmarshae)
- Marohita mouse lemur (M. marohita)
- Mittermeier's mouse lemur (M. mittermeieri)
- Gray mouse lemur (M. murinus)
- Pygmy mouse lemur (M. myoxinus)
- Golden-brown mouse lemur (M. ravelobensis)
- Brown mouse lemur (M. rufus)
- Sambirano mouse lemur (M. sambiranensis)
- Simmons' mouse lemur (M. simmonsi)
- Anosy mouse lemur (M. tanosi)
- Northern Rufous mouse lemur (M. tavaratra)
(Giant mouse lemurs)
- Coquerel's giant mouse lemur (M. coquereli)
- Northern giant mouse lemur (M. zaza)
(mouse lemurs)
- Hairy-eared dwarf lemur (A. trichotis)
(Fork-marked lemurs)
- Masoala fork-marked lemur (P. furcifer)
- Pale fork-marked lemur (P. pallescens)
- Pariente's fork-marked lemur (P. parienti)
- Amber Mountain fork-marked lemur (P. electromontis)
Category
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