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The dwarf lemurs are the
Measuring 19–27 cm in body length with a tail about 16–17 cm, they are larger than the
lemur
Lemurs ( ) (from Latin ''lemures'' – ghosts or spirits) are wet-nosed primates of the superfamily Lemuroidea (), divided into 8 families and consisting of 15 genera and around 100 existing species. They are endemic to the island of Madagas ...
s of the genus ''Cheirogaleus''. All of the species in this genus, like all other lemurs, are native to Madagascar
Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( mg, Repoblikan'i Madagasikara, links=no, ; french: République de Madagascar), is an island country in the Indian Ocean, approximately off the coast of East Africa ...
.
Description
Measuring 19–27 cm in body length with a tail about 16–17 cm, they are larger than the mouse lemur
The mouse lemurs are nocturnal lemurs of the genus ''Microcebus''. Like all lemurs, mouse lemurs are native to Madagascar.
Mouse lemurs have a combined head, body and tail length of less than , making them the smallest primates (the smallest spe ...
but smaller than the gentle lemur. Their heads are globular compared to the fox-like heads of the lemurs, but their muzzles are more pointed than those of the hapalemurs. Their hind limbs are slightly longer than their forelimbs, but not as elongated as in lepilemurs or indriids. Dwarf lemurs have an intermembral index The intermembral index is a ratio used to compare limb proportions, expressed as a percentage. It is equal to the length of forelimbs (humerus plus radius) divided by the length of the hind limbs (femur plus tibia) multiplied by 100, otherwise writ ...
of 71 on average. In contrast to most other primates, their grip is similar to that of South American monkeys with objects picked up and branches grasped between the second and third fingers, rather than between the thumb and index finger. Their nails are somewhat keeled and pointed.
Dwarf lemurs roam the lower strata of the foliage in the coastal forests of eastern Madagascar. They are nocturnal and quadrupeds
Quadrupedalism is a form of locomotion where four limbs are used to bear weight and move around. An animal or machine that usually maintains a four-legged posture and moves using all four limbs is said to be a quadruped (from Latin ''quattuor' ...
. They have a period of inactivity (torpor
Torpor is a state of decreased physiological activity in an animal, usually marked by a reduced body temperature and metabolic rate. Torpor enables animals to survive periods of reduced food availability. The term "torpor" can refer to the time ...
) during the winter season lasting between four and five months. Their tail serves as an area for fat storage, most of which is consumed during periods of food scarcity. Like most nocturnal prosimians, dwarf lemurs are reported as living solitary or in pairs. They nest in tree holes where they often sleep together in curled up positions. Their territories are marked by fecal and scent markings. Their diet consists primarily of fruits and flowers and they seem to play a part in the pollination of certain plants.
Classification
, 10 species are known. * Genus ''Cheirogaleus'': dwarf lemurs ** Montagne d'Ambre dwarf lemur, ''Cheirogaleus andysabini'' **Furry-eared dwarf lemur
The furry-eared dwarf lemur (''Cheirogaleus crossleyi''), or Crossley's dwarf lemur, only found on the island of Madagascar, as with all other lemurs. It has a pelage
Fur is a thick growth of hair that covers the skin of mammals. It consists ...
, ''Cheirogaleus crossleyi''
** Groves' dwarf lemur, ''Cheirogaleus grovesi''
** Lavasoa dwarf lemur
The Lavasoa dwarf lemur (''Cheirogaleus lavasoensis'') is a small, nocturnal strepsirrhine primate and a species of lemur that is endemic to three small, isolated patches of forest on the southern slopes of the Lavasoa Mountains in southern Madag ...
, ''Cheirogaleus lavasoensis''
** Greater dwarf lemur
The greater dwarf lemur (''Cheirogaleus major''), or the Geoffroy's dwarf lemur, is a lemur that is widely distributed over the primary and secondary forests near the eastern coast of Madagascar. They are also found in northern parts of Madagasca ...
, ''Cheirogaleus major''
** Fat-tailed dwarf lemur
The fat-tailed dwarf lemur (''Cheirogaleus medius''), also known as the lesser dwarf lemur, western fat-tailed dwarf lemur, or spiny forest dwarf lemur, is endemic to Madagascar.
Hibernation
Recent research has shown that ''C. medius'' hibernat ...
, ''Cheirogaleus medius''
** Lesser iron-gray dwarf lemur, ''Cheirogaleus minusculus''
** Ankarana dwarf lemur, ''Cheirogaleus shethi''
** Sibree's dwarf lemur
Sibree's dwarf lemur (''Cheirogaleus sibreei'') is a small nocturnal lemur endemic to Madagascar.
The name of this dwarf lemur commemorates the English missionary and naturalist James Sibree (1836–1929).
In 2010, a research team confirmed tha ...
, ''Cheirogaleus sibreei''
** Thomas' dwarf lemur, ''Cheirogaleus thomasi''
See also
*List of lemur species
Lemurs are strepsirrhine primates, all species of which are endemic to Madagascar. They include the smallest primate in the world, Madame Berthe's mouse lemur, which weighs , and range up to the size of the indri, which can weigh as much as . H ...
* List of mammals of Madagascar
This is a list of the native wild mammal species recorded in Madagascar. As of June 2014 (following the IUCN reassessment of the lemurs) there are 241 extant mammal species recognized in Madagascar, of which 22 are critically endangered, 62 are end ...
References
{{Authority control Dwarf lemurs