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Three new species of lemurs identified
February 23, 2006Researchers have identified three new species of lemurs, the small, big-eyed primates native to the island of Madagascar. In a study published today in the open access journal BMC Evolutionary Biology, a team of researchers from Madagascar and Europe identified new species of lemurs based on differences in a specific gene sequence. The new species also live in distinct geographical areas. They had not been identified from morphological differences or chromosome profiles - the methods usually used to define species. These findings have important implications, as a better knowledge of lemur species characteristics will provide the basis for better conservation programmes for these endangered animals.
An international team comprising researchers from Madagascar, Germany, France and Switzerland classified individual lemurs on the basis of either their chromosome profile, called a 'karyotype', or the sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The team analysed the karyotypes of 99 individuals from all currently recognised species of lemur and the cytochrome b gene was sequenced in 68 individuals.
From the karyotypic profiles, Andriaholinirina et al. could identify individuals belonging to the eight currently recognised species of lemurs. On the basis of genetic differences in cytochrome b gene, however, the researchers identified three distinct species within the former species Lepilemur ruficaudatus and two distinct species within the former L. dorsalis. The newly identified species live in different geographic areas, separated by rivers, but show no obvious morphological differences.
BioMed Central
BioMed Central
Lemurs Current Events and Lemurs News RSSNew theory on why male, female lemurs same size
When it comes to investigating mysteries, Sherlock Holmes has nothing on Rice University biologist Amy Dunham. In a newly published paper, Dunham offers a new theory for one of primatology's long-standing mysteries: Why are male and female lemurs the same size?
CU-Boulder study shows 53 million-year-old high Arctic mammals wintered in darkness
Ancestors of tapirs and ancient cousins of rhinos living above the Arctic Circle 53 million years ago endured six months of darkness each year in a far milder climate than today that featured lush, swampy forests.
Museum specimens aid conservation effort in Madagascar
There is a new tool for those developing conservation strategies for threatened species and landscapes: museum specimens. Richard Pearson and Christopher Raxworthy of the American Museum of Natural History dusted off a number of collections from Madagascar and used the location information associated with each species to test different ideas regarding the evolution of locally distributed endemism (unique species confined to small regions).
Scatological clues lead to an intimate view
The guys were all stressed out. There were new infants in the community, and the guys knew from experience that that's when invaders were likely to come and kill the babies, particularly the male infants.
Pre-verbal number sense common to monkeys, babies, college kids
Basic arithmetic and "number sense" appear to be part of the shared evolutionary past of many primates; it's the use of language to explain abstractions that apparently takes human math to a higher level.
Wildlife Conservation Society discovers 'Planet of the Apes'
The world's population of critically endangered western lowland gorillas received a huge boost today when the Wildlife Conservation Society released a census showing massive numbers of these secretive great apes alive and well in the Republic of Congo.
Extinction threat growing for mankind's closest relatives
Mankind's closest relatives - the world's monkeys, apes and other primates - are disappearing from the face of the Earth, with some literally being eaten into extinction.
Little teeth suggest big jump in primate timeline
Tiny fossilized teeth excavated from an Indian open-pit coal mine could be the oldest Asian remains ever found of anthropoids, the primate lineage of today's monkeys, apes and humans, say researchers from Duke University and the Indian Institute of Technology.
New population of highly threatened greater bamboo lemur found in Madagascar
Researchers in Madagascar have confirmed the existence of a population of greater bamboo lemurs more than 400 kilometers (240 miles) from the only other place where the Critically Endangered species is known to live, raising hopes for its survival.
Big brains arose twice in higher primates
After taking a fresh look at an old fossil, John Flynn, Frick Curator of Paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History, and colleagues determined that the brains of the ancestors of modern Neotropical primates were as small as those of their early fossil simian counterparts in the Old World.
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Lemurs (Pebble Books) by Helen Frost (Author), Gail Saunders-Smith (Editor) Simple text and photographs present the features and behavior of lemurs. |
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Flopsies Lemur the Ring Tailed Lemur by Aurora World Inc. Part of the Aurora World plush Flopsie collection, stuffed animals approximately 12 inches in the longest dimension. Incredibly soft with attention to detail, these plush animals will be favorites with your plush collector. Only lock washer or embroidered eyes and nose are used for safety. This is a Ring Tailed Lemur. |
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Lemurs: On Location (On Location Series) by Tara Darling (Illustrator) Go on location with Kathy and Tara Darling to study three species of lemurs in one of the last forests of Madagascar. These playful primates leap thirty feet in a bound, settle territorial disputes with stink fights, and sleep interlocked in purring"locomotive lines." In this unforgettable real-life adventure, readers get a face-to-face introduction to one of nature's most fascinating endangered animals. |
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Lords and Lemurs: Mad Scientists, Kings With Spears, and the Survival of Diversity in Madagascar by Alison Jolly (Author) In southern Madagascar is a place called Berenty, where Tandroy tribesmen, French lords, mad scientists, and two or three species of lemurs may be found gathered peacefully under a single tamarind tree. The owner of Berenty, Jean de Heaulme, arrived there in 1928 as a six-month-old baby, in the sidecar of his father"s Harley-Davidson. He and his family lived through war and revolution, Madagascar"s independence (which they supported) and imprisonment. Through it all they devoted themselves to preserving the natural diversity of Berenty and to helping the Tandroy maintain their culture. The Tandroy originally lived by cattle-raiding, clan warfare, and slavery. Now, although they have given up slavery and many of them work on plantations, they still live in traditional villages... |
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Webkinz Plush Stuffed Animal Ring Tail Lemur by ganz Webkinz Ring Tailed Lemur Plush |
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Madagascar 2 Party King Julian Lemur 9" Stuffed Animal Doll Toy by disney Bring the Magic Home with Party King Julian in this 7" plush doll. It is great for children 3+. |
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Lemurs: Ecology and Adaptation (Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects) by Lisa Gould (Editor), Michelle L. Sauther (Editor) Lemurs: Ecology and Adaptation brings together information from recent research, and provides new insight into the study of lemur origins, and the ecology and adaptation of both extant and recently extinct lemurs. In addition, it addresses issues of primate behavioral ecology and how environment can play a major role in explaining species variation. Moreover, in a larger context, the information contained in this volume expands our knowledge of primate ecology and allows us further insight into mammalian adaptations to unusual and often harsh environmental conditions that arise from both natural and anthropogenic factors. The book is divided into two sections. The first section is a background to lemurs and their ecology and it includes chapters on origins of lemurs, history of... |
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