Lemuroidea Superfamily

All members of the superfamily Lemuroidea are found on the island of Madagascar. When Madagascar split from mainland Africa 100 million years ago, the lemurs were left with no competition from other primates so they evolved into a diverse array of forms. Lemurs have long tails with dense fur and long bodies. They have the primitive tapetum lucidem?, which enhances night vision, even though many species are diurnal. All members of the Lemuroidea superfamily are quadrupedal and very adept at vertical clinging and leaping?. Since humans first settled in Madagascar 1500 years ago, about one third of the species in Lemuroidea have become extinct.

 

Lemuroidea Superfamily

Family

Sub Family

Species (Common Name)

Cheirogaleidae

Cheirogaleinae

Dwarf Lemurs

Phanerinae

Fork-marked lemur

Megaladapidae

 

Sportive Lemurs

Lemuridae

 

Lemurs and Bamboo Lemurs

Indridae

 

Woolly Lemurs, Indrids, Sifakas

Daubentonia

 

Aye-ayes

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