| Pachylemur | |
|---|---|
| Pachylemur insignis skull | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Primates |
| Family: | Lemuridae |
| Genus: | †Pachylemur Lamberton, 1948[1] |
| Species[1] | |
|
†P. insignis (Filfol, 1895) |
|
Pachylemur is an extinct genus of lemur most closely related to the ruffed lemurs (genus Varecia).[1] Its two representative species, Pachylemur insignis and Pachylemur jullyi, are only known from subfossil remains found at sites in central and southwestern Madagascar. It may have survived in the extreme south of Madagascar until as recently as 1280-1420 CE.[2]
With a more robust postcranial skeleton than Varecia, Pachylemur was initially thought to be more terrestrial, and thus more vulnerable to human predation than its arboreal cousins.[1] However, more recent studies have suggested a largely arboreal lifestyle, as well as some suspensory behavior.
Microwear and tooth morphology studies have also suggested a mixed diet dominated by fruit, also similar to that of Varecia.[2] However, the skull of Pachylemur is broader, with larger jaws and teeth relative to Varecia, possibly indicating a more fibrous diet.[1]