Lemurs Flashcards
example of a diurnal lemur
ring tailed lemur
what makes ring tailed lemurs unusual
are diurnal
spend most time on ground
female dominant (sexual dimorphism) and polygynandrous
multi-male groups with a core matrilline
spur marking (scent; stink battle between males in mating season) + olfactory communication/urine marking
very vocal
eat tamaraind (but omnivores)
in lemurs; how is rank decided
male rank; age (flexible hierarchy; varies seasonally; i.e. too large groups or scarce resources)
female rank; inherited or fought for (distinct hierarchy)
examples of lemurs
aye aye ring tailed lemur indri mouse lemur common brown lemur mongoose lemur
what larger category to lemurs belong to
traditional; prosimian
revised; strepsirhinni
location of lemurs
madagascar
weight of lemurs
more than 10 kg (normally)
lemur; ancestry
one of the most ancient primates; are hence mainly nocturnal
tapetum
a layer on the retina to reflect light= important for nocturnal lemurs
lemurs and olfaction
rely on olfactory cues; have large nasal cavaties, sweat glands
wet nose to increase olfactory awareness
whiskers for sensory awareness
lemurs and travelling
mainly arboreal
vertircal clingers and leapers
how many teeth
36
dentition
(RODENT LIKE INCISORS)
2:1:3:3
lemur life history
fast
large litters/multiple offspring at a time
lower basal metabolic rate
shorter gestation
why are most lemurs nocturnal
because they evolved in response to human huntings big dirunal lemurs= wiping them extinct allowing for smaller lemurs to fill that ecological niche
