Woolly lemur: Difference between revisions
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{{Taxobox | color = pink | |||
| name = Woolly lemurs | |||
| image = Woolly lemur.jpg | |||
| image_width = 250px | |||
| image_caption = A pair of Eastern ''' Woolly lemurs''', (''Avahi laniger'') nesting during the day. Note the distinctive white stripe along the thigh which is one of the most distinguishing features of the woolly lemurs. | |||
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia | |||
| phylum = [[Chordata]] | |||
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia | |||
| ordo = [[Primate]]s | |||
| familia = [[Indriidae]] | |||
| genus = '''''Avahi''''' | |||
| genus_authority = [[Jourdan (zoologist)|Jourdan]], 1834 | |||
| type_species = ''[[Eastern Woolly Lemur|Lemur laniger]]'' | |||
| type_species_authority = [[Johann Friedrich Gmelin|Gmelin]], 1788 | |||
| subdivision_ranks = Species | |||
| subdivision = * ''[[Avahi laniger]]'' | |||
* ''[[Avahi occidentalis]]'' | |||
* ''[[Avahi unicolor]]'' | |||
* ''[[Avahi cleesei]]'' | |||
}} | |||
The '''Woolly lemurs''', Genus ''Avahi'', are medium-sized quadrupedal [[Lemur| lemurs]]. In the wild, they are only found on the island of [[Madagascar]]. | The '''Woolly lemurs''', Genus ''Avahi'', are medium-sized quadrupedal [[Lemur| lemurs]]. In the wild, they are only found on the island of [[Madagascar]]. | ||
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==Description== | ==Description== | ||
The woolly lemur group of [[Primate| primates]] contain the only nocturnal members of the family [[Indridae]] (which includes the largest living lemur – the | The '''woolly lemur''' group of [[Primate| primates]] contain the only [[nocturnal]] members of the family [[Indridae]] (which includes the largest living lemur – the [[Indri]]). There are presently four recognized species in the woolly lemur group. All of the presently recognized species of woolly lemurs are very similar in appearance and due to their being nocturnal, it can be very difficult to distinguish the differing [[Species| species]] in the wild. It can also be difficult to distinguish them from certain species of ''[[Lepilemur]]''. There are recorded body sizes for both ''A. laniger'' and ''A. occidentalis'' (head body lengths of approximately 25 – 30 cm and a tail length of around 31-37 cm)<ref name="Fleagle">{{cite book|title=Primate Adaptation and Evolution|accessdate=|author=J. Fleagle|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=1998 |format= |work= |publisher=Academic Press: New York|pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref><ref name="Szalay">{{cite book |title=Evolutionary History of the Primates|accessdate=|author=F. Szalay and E. Delson|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2001 |format= |work= |publisher=Academic Press, New York|pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref><ref name="Mittermeier">{{cite book|title=Lemurs of Madagascar|accessdate=|author=Mittermeier et al.|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2006 |format= |work= |publisher=Conservation International|pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>. Weight ranges for these two species are approximately 900 and 1,300 grams for ''A. laniger'' and 700 to 900 grams for ''A. occidentalis''<ref name= "Mittermeier"/>There are no reported body size data published for ''A. unicolor''. A single male ''A. cleesei'' weighed 830g<ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. The woolly lemurs common name comes from the curly, [[Wool| woolly]] appearance of the dense [[fur]] <ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. Their hindlimbs are proportionally longer than the trunk and forelimbs and they have long tails that are typically longer than the body<ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. | ||
*''A. laniger'' | ==Characteristics of each species== | ||
Darker than A. occidentalis, this species has a dense coat that is grey-brown to reddish, paler towards the tail – which is a rusty red colo<ref name= "Mittermeier"/>r. | *''''A. laniger'''' | ||
Darker than ''A. occidentalis'', this species has a dense coat that is grey-brown to reddish, paler towards the tail – which is a rusty red colo<ref name= "Mittermeier"/>r. | |||
===Behaviour=== | ===Behaviour=== | ||
It is reported that there have been no long term studies of ''A. laniger'', but it is thought they may live in monogamous pairs <ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. Groups of up to five have been reported and home range is thought to be around 1-2ha. Where studies have been conducted, all Avahi eat flowers and fruits, but its diet consists mainly of leaves<ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. | It is reported that there have been no long term studies of ''A. laniger'', but it is thought they may live in monogamous pairs <ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. Groups of up to five have been reported and home range is thought to be around 1-2ha. Where studies have been conducted, all Avahi eat flowers and fruits, but its diet consists mainly of leaves<ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. | ||
===Geographic range=== | ===Geographic range=== | ||
This species ranges across almost the whole of Madagascar’s eastern rainforest<ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. | This species ranges across almost the whole of [[Madagascar| Madagascar’s]] eastern [[Rainforest| rainforest]]<ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. | ||
==Status== | ===Status=== | ||
''A. laniger'' is considered Least Concern by the IUCN. | ''A. laniger'' is considered Least Concern by the IUCN. | ||
*''A. occidentalis'' | *''''A. occidentalis'''' | ||
The dense coat of the back is light to medium sometimes flecked with brown or olive, paler towards the tail – which is also grey<ref name= "Mittermeier"/><ref name="Thalmann">{{cite book|title=Distribution and geographic variation in the western woolly lemur ''(''Avahi occidentalis'') with description of a new species (''A. unicolor'')|accessdate=|author=J. Fleagle|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=1998 |format= |work= |publisher=Int. J. Primat.|pages= 371-376|language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>. | The dense coat of the back is light to medium sometimes flecked with brown or olive, paler towards the tail – which is also grey<ref name= "Mittermeier"/><ref name="Thalmann">{{cite book|title=Distribution and geographic variation in the western woolly lemur ''(''Avahi occidentalis'') with description of a new species (''A. unicolor'')|accessdate=|author=J. Fleagle|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=1998 |format= |work= |publisher=Int. J. Primat.|pages= 371-376|language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>. | ||
===Behaviour=== | ===Behaviour=== | ||
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===Geographic range=== | ===Geographic range=== | ||
This species ranges is reported to range north and east of the Betsiboka River as far as the Bay of Narinda<ref name= "Mittermeier"/><ref name="Thalmann"/>. | This species ranges is reported to range north and east of the Betsiboka River as far as the Bay of Narinda<ref name= "Mittermeier"/><ref name="Thalmann"/>. | ||
==Status== | ===Status=== | ||
''A. occidentalis'' is considered Endangered by the IUCN. | |||
*''A. unicolor'' | ''''A. occidentalis'''' is considered Endangered by the IUCN. | ||
*''''A. unicolor'''' | |||
Back color is sandy-brownish grey. The tail can be slightly darker or even reddish brown although the base of the tail may be cream colored<ref name= "Mittermeier"/><ref name="Thalmann"/>. The coloration of the face gives the impression of a facial mask<ref name="Thalmann"/>. | Back color is sandy-brownish grey. The tail can be slightly darker or even reddish brown although the base of the tail may be cream colored<ref name= "Mittermeier"/><ref name="Thalmann"/>. The coloration of the face gives the impression of a facial mask<ref name="Thalmann"/>. | ||
===Behaviour=== | ===Behaviour=== | ||
| Line 29: | Line 53: | ||
===Geographic range=== | ===Geographic range=== | ||
This species is thought to be restricted to the tropical lowland forests of the Sambirano egion of northwestern Madagascar<ref name= "Mittermeier"/><ref name="Thalmann"/>. | This species is thought to be restricted to the tropical lowland forests of the Sambirano egion of northwestern Madagascar<ref name= "Mittermeier"/><ref name="Thalmann"/>. | ||
==Status== | ===Status=== | ||
''A. unicolor'' is considered “data deficient” by the IUCN. | ''A. unicolor'' is considered “data deficient” by the IUCN. | ||
*''A. cleesei'' | |||
The fur above the forehead is blackish and forms a dark chevron pattern. The snout is black and hairless. Head body fur is brown-grey. The tail can be grey-brown to grey<ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. | *''''A. cleesei'''' | ||
The fur above the forehead is blackish and forms a dark chevron pattern. The snout is black and hairless. Head body fur is brown-grey. The tail can be grey-brown to grey<ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. | |||
===Behaviour=== | ===Behaviour=== | ||
Unknown<ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. | Unknown<ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Suggestion Bot Tag]] | |||
Latest revision as of 07:00, 9 November 2024
| Woolly lemurs | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 A pair of Eastern Woolly lemurs, (Avahi laniger) nesting during the day. Note the distinctive white stripe along the thigh which is one of the most distinguishing features of the woolly lemurs.
| ||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
| Type species | ||||||||||||
| Lemur laniger Gmelin, 1788 | ||||||||||||
| Species | ||||||||||||
The Woolly lemurs, Genus Avahi, are medium-sized quadrupedal lemurs. In the wild, they are only found on the island of Madagascar.
Description
The woolly lemur group of primates contain the only nocturnal members of the family Indridae (which includes the largest living lemur – the Indri). There are presently four recognized species in the woolly lemur group. All of the presently recognized species of woolly lemurs are very similar in appearance and due to their being nocturnal, it can be very difficult to distinguish the differing species in the wild. It can also be difficult to distinguish them from certain species of Lepilemur. There are recorded body sizes for both A. laniger and A. occidentalis (head body lengths of approximately 25 – 30 cm and a tail length of around 31-37 cm)[1][2][3]. Weight ranges for these two species are approximately 900 and 1,300 grams for A. laniger and 700 to 900 grams for A. occidentalis[3]There are no reported body size data published for A. unicolor. A single male A. cleesei weighed 830g[3]. The woolly lemurs common name comes from the curly, woolly appearance of the dense fur [3]. Their hindlimbs are proportionally longer than the trunk and forelimbs and they have long tails that are typically longer than the body[3].
Characteristics of each species
- 'A. laniger'
Darker than A. occidentalis, this species has a dense coat that is grey-brown to reddish, paler towards the tail – which is a rusty red colo[3]r.
Behaviour
It is reported that there have been no long term studies of A. laniger, but it is thought they may live in monogamous pairs [3]. Groups of up to five have been reported and home range is thought to be around 1-2ha. Where studies have been conducted, all Avahi eat flowers and fruits, but its diet consists mainly of leaves[3].
Geographic range
This species ranges across almost the whole of Madagascar’s eastern rainforest[3].
Status
A. laniger is considered Least Concern by the IUCN.
- 'A. occidentalis'
The dense coat of the back is light to medium sometimes flecked with brown or olive, paler towards the tail – which is also grey[3][4].
Behaviour
It is reported that there have been no long term studies of A. laniger, but it is thought they may live in monogamous pairs [3][4]. Groups of up to five have been reported and home range is thought to be around 1-2ha[4]. Young leaves and buds are reported to be the preferred food[3][4].
Geographic range
This species ranges is reported to range north and east of the Betsiboka River as far as the Bay of Narinda[3][4].
Status
'A. occidentalis' is considered Endangered by the IUCN.
- 'A. unicolor'
Back color is sandy-brownish grey. The tail can be slightly darker or even reddish brown although the base of the tail may be cream colored[3][4]. The coloration of the face gives the impression of a facial mask[4].
Behaviour
Unknown[3].
Geographic range
This species is thought to be restricted to the tropical lowland forests of the Sambirano egion of northwestern Madagascar[3][4].
Status
A. unicolor is considered “data deficient” by the IUCN.
- 'A. cleesei'
The fur above the forehead is blackish and forms a dark chevron pattern. The snout is black and hairless. Head body fur is brown-grey. The tail can be grey-brown to grey[3].
Behaviour
Unknown[3].
Geographic range
This new species is only known from the Tsingy de Bemaraha region of western Madagascar [3].
Status
Un-assessed.
References
- ↑ J. Fleagle (1998). Primate Adaptation and Evolution. Academic Press: New York.
- ↑ F. Szalay and E. Delson (2001). Evolutionary History of the Primates. Academic Press, New York.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 Mittermeier et al. (2006). Lemurs of Madagascar. Conservation International.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 J. Fleagle (1998). Distribution and geographic variation in the western woolly lemur (Avahi occidentalis) with description of a new species (A. unicolor). Int. J. Primat., 371-376.