Red Lemur
Encyclopedia
The red lemur also known as the rufous brown lemur or northern red-fronted lemur, is a species of lemur
from Madagascar
. Until 2001, the species E. rufus was considered a subspecies
of the common brown lemur
, E. fulvus, after which it was classified as its own species. In December 2008, the species was split into two separate species, the red lemur, E. rufus, distributed in dry lowland forests in northwestern Madagascar, and the red-fronted lemur
, E. rufifrons, distributed in southwest and eastern Madagascar. The species split was based on genetic and morphological evidence. Mitochondrial DNA
analysis indicates that E. rufifrons may be more closely related to the Common Brown Lemur (E. fulvus), white-headed lemur
(E. albifrons) and Sanford's brown lemur
(E. sanfordi) than it is to E. rufus.
The red lemur's range covers dry deciduous forests in southwestern Madagascar between the Betsiboka River
to the north and the Tsiribihina River to the south. The Tsiribihina River froms the boundary between E. rufus, which lives north of the river, and E. rufifrons, which lives south of the river. It has a head and body length of 35 to 48 cm (13.8 to 18.9 in) and with a 45 to 55 cm (17.7 to 21.7 in) tail. Its weight ranges between 2.2 and 2.3 kg (4.9 and 5.1 lb). It has a gray coat and black face, muzzle and forehead, plus a black line from the muzzle to the forehead, with white eyebrow patches. Males have white or cream colored cheeks and beards, while females have rufous or cream cheeks and beards that are less bushy than males.
The species is currently listed by the IUCN as Data Deficient, pending additional information on its population status. Nearly all previous E. rufus populations on which studies have been performed are now assigned to the species E. rufufrons, the red-fronted lemur. However, given that threats are most likely operating within the now more-confined range of Eulemur rufus, it is likely that this species will require listing as Near Threatened or Vulnerable once additional information becomes available. The most important threats to the species are likely to be hunting, as well as habitat destruction resulting from slash-and-burn agriculture, clearing of land for pasture, and logging.
Lemur
Lemurs are a clade of strepsirrhine primates endemic to the island of Madagascar. They are named after the lemures of Roman mythology due to the ghostly vocalizations, reflective eyes, and the nocturnal habits of some species...
from Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
. Until 2001, the species E. rufus was considered a subspecies
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of the common brown lemur
Common Brown Lemur
The common brown lemur , or brown lemur, is a species of lemur in the Lemuridae family. It is found in Madagascar and Mayotte.-Range:...
, E. fulvus, after which it was classified as its own species. In December 2008, the species was split into two separate species, the red lemur, E. rufus, distributed in dry lowland forests in northwestern Madagascar, and the red-fronted lemur
Red-fronted Lemur
The red-fronted lemur , also known as the red-fronted brown lemur or southern red-fronted brown lemur, is a species of lemur from Madagascar. Until 2001, it was considered a subspecies of the common brown lemur, E. fulvus. In 2001, E...
, E. rufifrons, distributed in southwest and eastern Madagascar. The species split was based on genetic and morphological evidence. Mitochondrial DNA
Mitochondrial DNA
Mitochondrial DNA is the DNA located in organelles called mitochondria, structures within eukaryotic cells that convert the chemical energy from food into a form that cells can use, adenosine triphosphate...
analysis indicates that E. rufifrons may be more closely related to the Common Brown Lemur (E. fulvus), white-headed lemur
White-headed Lemur
The white-headed lemur , also known as the white-headed brown lemur, white-fronted brown lemur, or white-fronted lemur, is a species of primate in the Lemuridae family. It is only found in north-eastern Madagascar...
(E. albifrons) and Sanford's brown lemur
Sanford's Brown Lemur
Sanford's brown lemur , or Sanford's lemur, is a species of prosimian primate in the Lemuridae family. The Sanford's brown lemur was previously considered a subspecies of the common brown lemur but as of 2005 many of the brown lemurs have been elevated to a full species status...
(E. sanfordi) than it is to E. rufus.
The red lemur's range covers dry deciduous forests in southwestern Madagascar between the Betsiboka River
Betsiboka River
Betsiboka River is a long river in central-north Madagascar. It flows northwestward and empties to Bombetoka Bay, forming a large delta. The river is distinct for its red-coloured water, which is caused by river sediments. The river carries an enormous amount of reddish-orange silt to the sea...
to the north and the Tsiribihina River to the south. The Tsiribihina River froms the boundary between E. rufus, which lives north of the river, and E. rufifrons, which lives south of the river. It has a head and body length of 35 to 48 cm (13.8 to 18.9 in) and with a 45 to 55 cm (17.7 to 21.7 in) tail. Its weight ranges between 2.2 and 2.3 kg (4.9 and 5.1 lb). It has a gray coat and black face, muzzle and forehead, plus a black line from the muzzle to the forehead, with white eyebrow patches. Males have white or cream colored cheeks and beards, while females have rufous or cream cheeks and beards that are less bushy than males.
The species is currently listed by the IUCN as Data Deficient, pending additional information on its population status. Nearly all previous E. rufus populations on which studies have been performed are now assigned to the species E. rufufrons, the red-fronted lemur. However, given that threats are most likely operating within the now more-confined range of Eulemur rufus, it is likely that this species will require listing as Near Threatened or Vulnerable once additional information becomes available. The most important threats to the species are likely to be hunting, as well as habitat destruction resulting from slash-and-burn agriculture, clearing of land for pasture, and logging.