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Giant Lemurs
Subfossil lemurs are lemurs from Madagascar that are represented by recent (subfossil) remains dating from nearly 26,000 years ago to approximately 560 years ago (from the late Pleistocene until the Holocene). They include both extant and Extinction, extinct species, although the term more frequently refers to the extinct giant lemurs. The diversity of subfossil lemur communities was greater than that of present-day lemur communities, ranging from as high as 20 or more species per location, compared with 10 to 12 species today. Extinct species are estimated to have ranged in size from slightly over to roughly . Even the subfossil remains of living species are larger and more robust than the skeletal remains of modern specimens. The subfossil sites found around most of the island demonstrate that most giant lemurs had wide distributions and that ranges of living species have contracted significantly since the arrival of humans. Despite their size, the giant lem ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Palaeopropithecus Ingens
''Palaeopropithecus'' ("old sifaka" from Ancient Greek παλαιός (palaiós), “old” + Modern Latin propithecus, "sifaka") is a recently extinct genus of large sloth lemurs from Madagascar related to living lemur species found there today. Three species are known, ''Palaeopropithecus ingens'', ''P. maximus'', and ''P. kelyus''. Radiocarbon dates indicate that they may have survived until around 1300–1620 CE. Malagasy legends of the '' tretretretre'' or ''tratratratra'' are thought to refer to ''P. ingens''. Evidence suggests a solely arboreal lifestyle with frequent upside down suspension, hence the name sloth lemur. Anatomy ''Palaeopropithecus'' primarily lived in the trees to stay away from predators as well as to gain valuable resources. To survive properly in the trees, ''Palaeopropithecus'' had long and powerful arms and legs, each with significantly long fingers and toes to allow them to hang upside down on branches. These were used to swing from branch to bra ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
