Lemuridae

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iLemuridae
Crowned Lemur (Eulemur coronatus)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Suborder: Strepsirrhini Infraorder: Lemuriformes Superfamily: Lemuroidea Family: Lemuridae Gray, 1821
Genera
Lemur Eulemur Hapalemur Prolemur Varecia

Lemuridae is one of the four families of lemurs and are part of a class of primates known as prosimians. These animals are the evolutionary predecessors of monkeys and apes (simians).

Genus Lemur has only one member: Lemur catta, or the Ring-tailed Lemur. It is easily recognized by its black and white striped tail, and is found in many zoos.

Lemurs get their name from the Ancient Roman belief that they were ghosts or spirits. They were mistaken for specters (spirits) because many species are nocturnal.

[edit] Classification

• ORDER PRIMATES
  • Suborder Strepsirrhini: non-tarsier prosimians
    • Family Cheirogaleidae: dwarf and mouse lemurs
    • Family Lemuridae
      • Subfamily Lemurinae
        • Genus Lemur
          • Ring-tailed Lemur, Lemur catta
        • Genus Eulemur : brown lemurs
          • Black Lemur, Eulemur macaco
          • Common Brown Lemur, Eulemur fulvus
          • Sanford's Brown Lemur, Eulemur sanfordi
          • White-fronted Brown Lemur, Eulemur albifrons
          • Red-fronted Brown Lemur, Eulemur rufus
          • Collared Brown Lemur, Eulemur collaris
          • White-collared Brown Lemur, Eulemur albocollaris
          • Mongoose Lemur, Eulemur mongoz
          • Crowned Lemur, Eulemur coronatus
          • Red-bellied Lemur, Eulemur rubriventer
        • Genus Varecia : ruffed lemurs
          • Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur, Varecia variegata
          • Red Ruffed Lemur, Varecia rubra
      • Subfamily Hapalemurinae
        • Genus Hapalemur : lesser gentle or bamboo lemurs
          • Eastern Lesser Bamboo Lemur, Hapalemur griseus
          • Western Lesser Bamboo Lemur, Hapalemur occidentalis
          • Southern Lesser Bamboo Lemur, Hapalemur meridionalis
          • Lac Alaotra Gentle Lemur, Hapalemur alaotrensis
          • Golden Bamboo Lemur, Hapalemur aureus
        • Genus Prolemur
          • Greater Bamboo Lemur, Prolemur simus
    • Family Lepilemuridae: sportive lemurs
    • Family Indriidae: woolly lemurs and allies
    • Family Daubentoniidae: Aye-aye
    • Family Lorisidae: lorises, pottos and allies
    • Family Galagidae: galagos
  • Suborder Haplorrhini: tarsiers, monkeys and apes

[edit] References

• Groves, Colin (16 November 2005). Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds): Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, 114-117. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Lemuridae

Extant primate families by suborder
Strepsirrhini: Cheirogaleidae · Lemuridae · Lepilemuridae · Indriidae · Daubentoniidae · Lorisidae · Galagidae Haplorrhini: Tarsiidae · Cebidae · Aotidae · Pitheciidae · Atelidae · Cercopithecidae · Hylobatidae · Hominidae