Talk:Lemur

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Contents 1 migration to Madagascar 2 food 3 Ancient Species? 4 Lemur Hunting 5 Opposable Thumbs

[edit] migration to Madagascar

I hope this clears up a few things below: It is generally agreed upon now that around 46-53 million years ago, a founding group of lemurs, most likely similar to those in the family Cheirogaleidae, made its way across the Mozambique Channel on a large raft of floating vegetation. There are in fact close relatives to lemurs on the mainland of Africa - take a close look at a picture of a mouse lemur next to a photo of a bushbaby and you will see the similarities. --Brownlemur 20:38, 14 June 2006 (UTC)

I removed the following statement:

They made their way across the ocean after the island [Madagascar] broke away from the continent of Africa.

My understanding is that the lemurs were "marooned" on Madagascar when it separated from the continent. The above seems wildly implausible. However, I don't have time to check either way, so I have just moved this bit over here till someone can clarify. seglea 15:45, 24 Jun 2004 (UTC)

I believe you are correct. If they had not been marooned here by the continental separation (if they had gotten there some other way after separation) they would likely have descendant families on the mainland. - UtherSRG 17:08, 24 Jun 2004 (UTC)

Hi there. Wandering nobody wandering in to say that, implausible as it sounds, scientists have pegged the separation of Madagascar from what is now the African continent at about 160 million years ago, and lemurs do not appear in the fossil record for another hundred million years, contradicting (in the views of many scientists) the concept that they were geographically isolated by the division of Madagascar. I really have no idea how they got over there, if this is true, but it seems relatively widespread and well-supported.170.125.233.5 19:11, 19 April 2006 (UTC)

This is supported by [1] which states that they were outcompeted on the mainland by monkeys and apes. Cnoocy 22:01, 19 April 2006 (UTC)

Execellent. Add something to the article! :) - UtherSRG (talk) 22:08, 19 April 2006 (UTC)

I find it highly unlikely that the lemurs made their way after the continental setaration, considering the fact that lemurs are afraid of water and wouldn't even try to jump a 30 foot gap of water. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 70.92.177.45 (talk • contribs) .

You're assuming that the migration was intentional. a fierce storm coud have caused a family of an ancestral species to be stranded on a log. The log drifts to Madagascar from the mainland, and the beginings of speciation begins. - UtherSRG (talk) 02:09, 23 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] food

What do they eat? - 80.200.140.63

I've added some dietary information. - UtherSRG 12:48, May 24, 2005 (UTC)

Most eat plants, but the smaller nocturnal ones eat insects. Dora Nichov 02:59, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Ancient Species?

I had a first grader tell me that "Lemurs were alive during the late cretaceous period, the same era as the Tyranosaurus Rex." I found this: "The first lemur-like primates on the fossil record appeared roughly 60 million years ago and crossed over to Madagascar shortly thereafter." at wildmadagascar.org. Aside from the 'crossing over' part, which I agree is highly unlikely, does the timeline seem accurate? was 60 million years ago the Late Cretaceous Period? Were T-rexs roaming the land with Lemurs? Has the teacher once again been taught by the child? 71.56.212.52 18:56, 1 December 2005 (UTC) Laura

No. The Cretaceous Period lasted until about 65 MYA, ending at the Paleocene epoch. The first lemurs appear at about 50 MYA, in the early Eocene. - UtherSRG (talk) 19:53, 1 December 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Lemur Hunting

This is an intersting point that is hardly brought up about the devestation of lemurs. Lemurs are largely hunted because of fear. They are not hunted for fur or food for that matter. I read about this in clipped french articles and books written in Malgache. The more culturally modern Madagascar citizen recognizes and appreciates the relatively harmless and unique lemur. Can anyone can help me document this statement?

"In some remote areas of Madagascar, the cultural motivation behind posting lemur hunting traps are that of indigenous superstition that lemurs are omens and harbingers of bad fortune. This hindsight is commonly inspired by the lemur's unique features."

-ConradKilroy 16:21, 03 DEC 2005

Actually, many lemurs are indeed hunted for food. More common species such as brown lemurs are eaten on the east coast of the island, and large-bodied Indriids such as sifakas and indri are also eaten. For evidence of this see Mittermeier et al. (1994, 2006) and Golden (2005). Or go to the island and see for yourself!--Brownlemur 20:41, 14 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Opposable Thumbs

As this isn't a homework question. I am genuinely curious, out of pure curiousity. Hopefully this time I will not sound like a fifth grader with a homework assignment. I aslo believe that it would be interesting if Lemurs do have thumbs, and even more so if they have an opposable thumb like appendage.

So, I wonder, and I ask: do lemurs have opposable thumbs, semi-opposable thumbs, thumb-pads, or any other feature which could conceivably be part of the evolutionary process win developing a thumb-like appendage.

Thanks,
Luke --71.192.117.127 00:03, 25 February 2007 (UTC)

It's a good question. According to everything I could find, their thumbs are fully opposable. --PrePressChris 19:22, 25 February 2007 (UTC)