Eulemur macaco (Black Lemur): Difference between revisions

From Citizendium
Jump to navigation Jump to search
imported>Lee R. Berger
imported>Lee R. Berger
(pics)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:blemur female.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A female '''black lemur''', (''Eulemur macaco macaco'').{{photo|Lee R. Berger}}]]  
[[Image:blemur female.jpg|thumb|right|400px|A female '''black lemur''', (''Eulemur macaco macaco'').{{photo|Lee R. Berger}}]]  


The '''black lemur''' ''Eulemur macaco macaco'', a so called "true lemur",  is a medium-sized quadrupedal [[Lemur]]. In the wild, it is found only on the island of [[Madagascar]].   
The '''black lemur''' ''Eulemur macaco macaco'', a so called "true lemur",  is a medium-sized quadrupedal [[Lemur]]. In the wild, it is found only on the island of [[Madagascar]].   
Line 6: Line 6:


The black lemur is a cathemeral [[Primate]] that has a head body length of  approximately 39 – 45 cm and a tail length of around 50-65 cm<ref name="Fleagle">{{cite book|title=Primate Adaptation and Evolution|accessdate=|author=J. Fleagle|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=1998 |format= |work= |publisher=Academic Press: New York|pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref><ref name="Szalay">{{cite book |title=Evolutionary History of the Primates|accessdate=|author=F. Szalay and E. Delson|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2001 |format= |work= |publisher=Academic Press, New York|pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref><ref name="Mittermeier">{{cite book|title=Lemurs of Madagascar|accessdate=|author=Mittermeier et al.|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2006 |format= |work= |publisher=Conservation International|pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>. Weight ranges between approximately 3 and 3.5 kg<ref name= "Mittermeier"/>.  Males are typically dark chocolate brown to black, while females have golden-brown to chesnut colored backs and light colored bellies. The female's face is grey to black, the crown a darker grey and the ears white tuffed <ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. The eyes of both sexes are orange <ref name= "Mittermeier"/>.   
The black lemur is a cathemeral [[Primate]] that has a head body length of  approximately 39 – 45 cm and a tail length of around 50-65 cm<ref name="Fleagle">{{cite book|title=Primate Adaptation and Evolution|accessdate=|author=J. Fleagle|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=1998 |format= |work= |publisher=Academic Press: New York|pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref><ref name="Szalay">{{cite book |title=Evolutionary History of the Primates|accessdate=|author=F. Szalay and E. Delson|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2001 |format= |work= |publisher=Academic Press, New York|pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref><ref name="Mittermeier">{{cite book|title=Lemurs of Madagascar|accessdate=|author=Mittermeier et al.|authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2006 |format= |work= |publisher=Conservation International|pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>. Weight ranges between approximately 3 and 3.5 kg<ref name= "Mittermeier"/>.  Males are typically dark chocolate brown to black, while females have golden-brown to chesnut colored backs and light colored bellies. The female's face is grey to black, the crown a darker grey and the ears white tuffed <ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. The eyes of both sexes are orange <ref name= "Mittermeier"/>.   
[[Image:black lemurs.jpg|thumb|left|250px|A male and female black lemur at night. Black lemurs are cathemeral and are hihgly active in both the day and night{{photo|Lee R. Berger}}]]


==Behaviour==
==Behaviour==


The black lemur is highly adaptable to different habitats and group sizes range from 2 to 15 <ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. Females give birth to typically a single young usually between September and November<ref name= "Mittermeier"/>.
The black lemur is highly adaptable to different habitats and group sizes range from 2 to 15 <ref name= "Mittermeier"/>. Females give birth to typically a single young usually between September and November<ref name= "Mittermeier"/>.
[[Image:blemur male.jpg|thumb|left|250px|A male black lemur climbing. {{photo|Lee R. Berger}}]]
[[Image:blemur male.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A male black lemur climbing. {{photo|Lee R. Berger}}]]


==Diet==
==Diet==

Revision as of 07:18, 6 September 2007

A female black lemur, (Eulemur macaco macaco).Template:Photo

The black lemur Eulemur macaco macaco, a so called "true lemur", is a medium-sized quadrupedal Lemur. In the wild, it is found only on the island of Madagascar.

Description

The black lemur is a cathemeral Primate that has a head body length of approximately 39 – 45 cm and a tail length of around 50-65 cm[1][2][3]. Weight ranges between approximately 3 and 3.5 kg[3]. Males are typically dark chocolate brown to black, while females have golden-brown to chesnut colored backs and light colored bellies. The female's face is grey to black, the crown a darker grey and the ears white tuffed [3]. The eyes of both sexes are orange [3].

A male and female black lemur at night. Black lemurs are cathemeral and are hihgly active in both the day and nightTemplate:Photo

Behaviour

The black lemur is highly adaptable to different habitats and group sizes range from 2 to 15 [3]. Females give birth to typically a single young usually between September and November[3].

A male black lemur climbing. Template:Photo

Diet

It is highly frugiverous but also eats seeds, leaves and nectar [2][3].

Geographical distribution

The black lemur may be found in tropical moist lowland and montane forested areas of northwestern Madagascar and on islands around Nosy Be[3].

Status

The black lemur is considered to be endangered by the IUCN.

External links

References

  1. J. Fleagle (1998). Primate Adaptation and Evolution. Academic Press: New York. 
  2. Jump up to: 2.0 2.1 F. Szalay and E. Delson (2001). Evolutionary History of the Primates. Academic Press, New York. 
  3. Jump up to: 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Mittermeier et al. (2006). Lemurs of Madagascar. Conservation International.