List of lemur species

The ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) is one of 105 recognized species and subspecies of lemur found only in Madagascar.

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 30 grams (1.1 oz), and range up to the size of the indri, which can weigh as much as 9.5 kilograms (21 lb). However, recently extinct species grew much larger. As of 2010, five families, 15 genera, and 101 species and subspecies of lemur were formally recognized. Of the 101 species and subspecies, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified eight as Critically Endangered, 18 as Endangered, 15 as Vulnerable, four as Near Threatened, eight as Least Concern and 41 as Data Deficient; seven were yet to be evaluated. From 2000 through 2008, 39 new species were described and nine other taxa resurrected. By 2014, the number of species and subspecies recognized had increased to 105; of these, the IUCN classified 24 as Critically Endangered, 49 as Endangered, 20 as Vulnerable, three as Near Threatened, three as Least Concern and four as Data Deficient; two were yet to be evaluated.

The number of lemur species is likely to continue growing in the coming years, as field studies, cytogenetic and molecular genetic research continues. There is not complete agreement over the latest revisions to lemur taxonomy, with some experts preferring an estimated 50 lemur species. The debates are likely to continue, as some scholars label the explosive growth of species numbers as taxonomic inflation. In many cases, classifications will ultimately depend upon which species concept is used. In the case of the lemurs of Madagascar, which have suffered extensively from deforestation and habitat fragmentation, nearly 25% of all species are either Endangered or Critically Endangered, most have yet to be extensively studied, and nearly all populations are in decline. For these reasons, taxonomists and conservationists favor splitting them into separate species to develop an effective strategy for the conservation of the full range of lemur diversity. Implicitly, this means that full species status will help grant genetically distinct populations added environmental protection.

At least 17 species and eight genera are believed to have become extinct in the 2,000 years since humans first arrived in Madagascar. All known extinct species were large, ranging in weight from 10 to 200 kg (22 to 441 lb). The largest known subfossil lemur was Archaeoindris fontoynonti, a giant sloth lemur, which weighed more than a modern female gorilla. The extinction of the largest lemurs is often attributed to predation by humans and possibly habitat destruction. Since all extinct lemurs were not only large (and thus ideal prey species), but also slow-moving (and thus more vulnerable to human predation), their presumably slow-reproducing and low-density populations were least likely to survive the introduction of humans. Gradual changes in climate have also been blamed, and may have played a minor role; however since the largest lemurs also survived the climatic changes from previous ice ages and only disappeared following the arrival of humans, it is unlikely that climatic change was largely responsible.

There is strong evidence of extensive declines in extant populations since the introductions of humans, particularly among the larger and more specialized lemurs. As long as habitats continue to shrink, degrade and fragment, extinctions are likely to continue.

Taxonomic classification

Main article: Taxonomy of lemurs

Lemurs are classified under eight families, three of which are extinct:

The silky sifaka, one of the most endangered primates in the world.

Mouse lemurs are the smallest primates in the world.

As of 2014 there are 5 species and 3 subspecies of bamboo lemurs recognized.

• Family: †Archaeolemuridae : monkey lemurs
  • Genus: †Archaeolemur (2 extinct species)
  • Genus: †Hadropithecus (1 extinct species)
• Family: Cheirogaleidae
  • Genus: Allocebus: hairy-eared dwarf lemur (1 extant species)
  • Genus: Cheirogaleus: dwarf lemurs (6 extant species)
  • Genus: Microcebus: mouse lemurs (21 extant species)
  • Genus: Mirza: giant mouse lemurs (2 extant species)
  • Genus: Phaner: fork-marked lemurs (4 extant species)
• Family: Daubentoniidae: aye-aye
  • Genus: Daubentonia (1 extant species, 1 extinct species)
• Family: Indriidae
  • Genus: Avahi: woolly lemurs (9 extant species)
  • Genus: Indri: indri (1 extant species)
  • Genus: Propithecus: sifakas (9 extant species)
• Family: Lemuridae
  • Genus: Eulemur: true lemurs (12 extant species)
  • Genus: Hapalemur: bamboo lemurs (5 extant species, 3 extant subspecies)
  • Genus: Lemur: ring-tailed lemur (1 extant species)
  • Genus: †Pachylemur (2 extinct species)
  • Genus: Prolemur: greater bamboo lemur (1 extant species)
  • Genus: Varecia: ruffed lemurs (2 extant species, 3 extant subspecies)
• Family: Lepilemuridae: sportive lemurs
  • Genus: Lepilemur (26 extant species)
• Family: †Megaladapidae: koala lemurs
  • Genus: †Megaladapis (3 extinct species)
• Family: †Palaeopropithecidae: sloth lemurs
  • Genus: †Archaeoindris (1 extinct species)
  • Genus: †Babakotia (1 extinct species)
  • Genus: †Mesopropithecus (3 extinct species)
  • Genus: †Palaeopropithecus (3 extinct species)

The placement of lemurs within the order Strepsirrhini is currently under debate, although both sides agree upon the same phylogenetic tree.

• Order Primates
  • Suborder Strepsirrhini: lemurs, galagos, and lorisids
    • Infraorder Lemuriformes
      • Superfamily Lemuroidea
        • Family †Archaeolemuridae
        • Family Cheirogaleidae
        • Family Daubentoniidae
        • Family Indriidae
        • Family Lemuridae
        • Family Lepilemuridae
        • Family †Megaladapidae
        • Family †Palaeopropithecidae
      • Superfamily Lorisoidea
  • Suborder Haplorrhini: tarsiers, monkeys and apes

Key

Scientific name	Latin binomial name, or Latin name, of the species
Common name	Common name of the species, per Wilson, et al. Mammal Species of the World (2005) or Mittermeier, et al. "Lemur Diversity in Madagascar" (2008)
Family	Family within the Suborder Strepsirrhini to which the species belongs
Classified	Date in which the species was formally described and classified, as well as the binomial authority on the species
Average size	Average size of adult members of the species, in metric and English weight units
Estimated size	Estimated Average size of adult members of the extinct species
Conservation status	Conservation status of the species, per IUCN as of 2008
Extinction date	Year of extinction or estimated date range for subfossil species, in BCE/CE

Extant species

Main article: Lemur

All lemurs belong to the suborder Strepsirrhini within the order Primates. The 101 extant species and subspecies are divided among 5 families and 15 genera. They range in weight from 30 g (1.1 oz) (Madame Berthe's mouse lemur) to as much as 9.5 kg (21 lb) (indri). Most are highly arboreal and activity patterns range widely from nocturnal to diurnal to cathemeral. Having diversified over millions of years to fill every ecological niche, diets also vary widely, though fruit, leaves, and insects make up the majority of the diet for most species.

Family: Cheirogaleidae

Family Cheirogaleidae consists of the mouse lemurs (smallest of all primates), the dwarf lemurs, and the fork-marked lemurs and their allies. There are 34 extant species.

The gray mouse lemur is one of as many as 21 tiny, nocturnal mouse lemur species.

Fork-marked lemurs are the among the largest of the cheirogaleids.

Scientific name	Common name	Classified	Average size	Conservation status	References
Allocebus trichotis	Hairy-eared dwarf lemur	1875, Günther	00065 !65–90 g (2.3–3.2 oz)	3 ! Vulnerable
Cheirogaleus crossleyi	Furry-eared dwarf lemur	1870, A. Grandidier	00250 !250–500 g (8.8–17.6 oz)	0 ! Data Deficient
Cheirogaleus lavasoensis	Lavasoa dwarf lemur	2013, Thiele et al.	00350 !300 g (11 oz)	-1 !Not Evaluated
Cheirogaleus major	Greater dwarf lemur	1812, É. Geoffroy	00350 !350–400 g (12–14 oz)	0 ! Data Deficient
Cheirogaleus medius	Fat-tailed dwarf lemur	1812, É. Geoffroy	00120 !120–270 g (4.2–9.5 oz)	1 ! Least Concern
Cheirogaleus minusculus	Lesser iron-gray dwarf lemur	2000, Groves	unknown	0 ! Data Deficient
Cheirogaleus sibreei	Sibree's dwarf lemur	1896, Forsyth Major	unknown	5 ! Critically Endangered
Microcebus arnholdi	Arnhold's mouse lemur	2008, E. Lewis, Jr. et al.	00049 !49.7 g (1.75 oz)	4 ! Endangered
Microcebus berthae	Madame Berthe's mouse lemur	2000, Rasoloarison et al.	00030 !30 g (1.1 oz)	4 ! Endangered
Microcebus bongolavensis	Bongolava mouse lemur	2007, Olivieri et al.	00054 !54 g (1.9 oz)	4 ! Endangered
Microcebus boraha	Boraha mouse lemur	2016, Hotaling et al.
Microcebus danfossi	Danfoss' mouse lemur	2007, Olivieri et al.	00063 !63 g (2.2 oz)	4 ! Endangered
Microcebus ganzhorni	Ganzhorn's mouse lemur	2016, Hotaling et al.
Microcebus gerpi	Gerp's mouse lemur	2012, Radespiel et al.	00068 !68 g (2.4 oz)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Microcebus griseorufus	Reddish-gray mouse lemur	1910, Kollman	00046 !46–79 g (1.6–2.8 oz)	1 ! Least Concern
Microcebus jollyae	Jolly's mouse lemur	2006, Louis et al.	00060 !60 g (2.1 oz)	4 ! Endangered
Microcebus lehilahytsara	Goodman's mouse lemur	2005, Roos and Kappeler	00045 !45–48 g (1.6–1.7 oz)	3 ! Vulnerable
Microcebus macarthurii	MacArthur's mouse lemur	2008, Radespiel et al.	unknown	4 ! Endangered
Microcebus manitatra	Manitatra mouse lemur	2016, Hotaling et al.
Microcebus marohita	Marohita mouse lemur	2013, Rasoloarison et al.	00089 !89 g (3.1 oz)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Microcebus mamiratra	Claire's mouse lemur	2006, Andriantompohavana et al.	00078 !61 g (2.2 oz)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Microcebus margotmarshae	Margot Marsh's mouse lemur	2006, Andriantompohavana et al.	00041 !41 g (1.4 oz)	4 ! Endangered
Microcebus mittermeieri	Mittermeier's mouse lemur	2006, Louis et al.	00040 !40 g (1.4 oz)	4 ! Endangered
Microcebus murinus	Gray mouse lemur	1777, Miller	00060 !60 g (2.1 oz)	1 ! Least Concern
Microcebus myoxinus	Pygmy mouse lemur	1852, Peters	00043 !43–55 g (1.5–1.9 oz)	3 ! Vulnerable
Microcebus ravelobensis	Golden-brown mouse lemur	1998, Zimmerman et al.	00056 !56–87 g (2.0–3.1 oz)	4 ! Endangered
Microcebus rufus	Brown mouse lemur	1834, É. Geoffroy	00040 !40–50 g (1.4–1.8 oz)	3 ! Vulnerable
Microcebus sambiranensis	Sambirano mouse lemur	2000, Rasoloarison et al.	00038 !38–50 g (1.3–1.8 oz)	4 ! Endangered
Microcebus simmonsi	Simmons' mouse lemur	2006, Louis et al.	00078 !78 g (2.8 oz)	4 ! Endangered
Microcebus tanosi	Anosy mouse lemur	2013, Rasoloarison et al.	unknown	-1 !Not Evaluated
Microcebus tavaratra	Northern rufous mouse lemur	2000, Rasoloarison et al.	00045 !45–77 g (1.6–2.7 oz)	3 ! Vulnerable
Mirza coquereli	Coquerel's giant mouse lemur	1867, A. Grandidier	00300 !300–320 g (11–11 oz)	4 ! Endangered
Mirza zaza	Northern giant mouse lemur	2005, Kappeler & Roos	00287 !287–299 g (10.1–10.5 oz)	4 ! Endangered
Phaner electromontis	Amber Mountain fork-marked lemur	1991, Groves and Tattersall	00350 !350–500 g (12–18 oz)	4 ! Endangered
Phaner furcifer	Masoala fork-marked lemur	1839, Blainville	00350 !350–500 g (12–18 oz)	3 ! Vulnerable
Phaner pallescens	Pale fork-marked lemur	1991, Groves and Tattersall	00330 !330 g (12 oz)	4 ! Endangered
Phaner parienti	Pariente's fork-marked lemur	1991, Groves and Tattersall	00350 !350–500 g (12–18 oz)	4 ! Endangered

Family: Lemuridae

Family Lemuridae consists of the ring-tailed lemur, the brown lemurs, the bamboo lemurs and the ruffed lemurs. There are 21 extant species and six subspecies.

The red-fronted lemur, like other brown lemurs, is sexually dichromatic (the sexes have different colorations).

The ring-tailed lemur is highly social and is the most popularly known lemur species.

Ruffed lemurs are the largest of the extant lemurids.

Scientific name	Common name	Classified	Average size	Conservation status	References
Eulemur albifrons	White-fronted brown lemur	1796, É. Geoffroy	02200 !2.2–2.6 kg (4.9–5.7 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Eulemur cinereiceps	Gray-headed lemur	1890, Grandidier and Milne-Edwards	02000 !2–2.5 kg (4.4–5.5 lb)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Eulemur collaris	Collared brown lemur	1812, É. Geoffroy	02250 !2.25–2.5 kg (5.0–5.5 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Eulemur coronatus	Crowned lemur	1842, Gray	01100 !1.1–1.3 kg (2.4–2.9 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Eulemur flavifrons	Blue-eyed black lemur	1867, Gray	01800 !1.8–1.9 kg (4.0–4.2 lb)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Eulemur fulvus	Common brown lemur	1812, É. Geoffroy	02000 !2–3 kg (4.4–6.6 lb)	2 ! Near Threatened
Eulemur macaco	Black lemur	1766, Linnaeus	02000 !2–2.9 kg (4.4–6.4 lb)	3 ! Vulnerable
Eulemur mongoz	Mongoose lemur	1766, Linnaeus	01100 !1.1–1.6 kg (2.4–3.5 lb)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Eulemur rubriventer	Red-bellied lemur	1850, I. Geoffroy	01600 !1.6–2.4 kg (3.5–5.3 lb)	3 ! Vulnerable
Eulemur rufifrons	Red-fronted lemur	1833, Bennett	02200 !2.2–2.3 kg (4.9–5.1 lb)	2 ! Near Threatened
Eulemur rufus	Red lemur	1799, Audebert	02200 !2.2–2.3 kg (4.9–5.1 lb)	3 ! Vulnerable
Eulemur sanfordi	Sanford's brown lemur	1932, Archbold	01800 !1.8–1.9 kg (4.0–4.2 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Hapalemur alaotrensis	Lac Alaotra bamboo lemur	1975, Rumpler	01100 !1.1–1.4 kg (2.4–3.1 lb)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Hapalemur aureus	Golden bamboo lemur	1987, Meier et al.	01300 !1.3–1.7 kg (2.9–3.7 lb)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Hapalemur griseus gilberti	Beanamalao bamboo lemur	2007, Rabarivola et al.	00967 !0.967 kg (2.13 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Hapalemur griseus griseus	Eastern lesser bamboo lemur	1795, Link	00700 !0.7–1 kg (1.5–2.2 lb)	3 ! Vulnerable
Hapalemur griseus ranomafanensis	Ranomafana bamboo lemur	2007, Rabarivola et al.	00700 !0.7–0.85 kg (1.5–1.9 lb)	0 ! Data Deficient
Hapalemur meridionalis	Southern lesser bamboo lemur	1987, Warter, et al.	00750 !0.75–1.05 kg (1.7–2.3 lb)	3 ! Vulnerable
Hapalemur occidentalis	Western lesser bamboo lemur	1975, Rumpler	01000 !1 kg (2.2 lb)	3 ! Vulnerable
Lemur catta	Ring-tailed lemur	1756, Linnaeus	02300 !2.3–3.5 kg (5.1–7.7 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Prolemur simus	Greater bamboo lemur	1871, Gray	02200 !2.2–2.5 kg (4.9–5.5 lb)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Varecia rubra	Red ruffed lemur	1812, É. Geoffroy	03300 !3.3–3.6 kg (7.3–7.9 lb)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Varecia variegata editorum	Southern black-and-white ruffed lemur	1953, Osman Hill	03100 !3.1–3.6 kg (6.8–7.9 lb)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Varecia variegata subcincta	White-belted black-and-white ruffed lemur	1833, A. Smith	03100 !3.1–3.6 kg (6.8–7.9 lb)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Varecia variegata variegata	Black-and-white ruffed lemur	1792, Kerr	03100 !3.1–3.6 kg (6.8–7.9 lb)	5 ! Critically Endangered

Family: Lepilemuridae

Family Lepilemuridae consists solely of the sportive lemurs. As of 2014, there are 26 extant species.

The Sahamalaza sportive lemur is one of 26 species of sportive lemur.

Scientific name	Common name	Classified	Average size	Conservation status	References
Lepilemur aeeclis	Antafia sportive lemur	2006, Andriaholinirina et al.	00765 !0.765–0.97 kg (1.69–2.14 lb)	3 ! Vulnerable
Lepilemur ahmansonorum	Ahmanson's sportive lemur	2006, Louis, Jr. et al.	00610 !0.61 kg (1.3 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Lepilemur ankaranensis	Ankarana sportive lemur	1975, Rumpler & Albignac	00750 !0.75 kg (1.7 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Lepilemur betsileo	Betsileo sportive lemur	2006, Louis, Jr. et al.	01150 !1.15 kg (2.5 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Lepilemur dorsalis	Gray-backed sportive lemur	1870, Gray	00500 !0.5 kg (1.1 lb)	3 ! Vulnerable
Lepilemur edwardsi	Milne-Edwards' sportive lemur	1894, Forsyth Major	01000 !1 kg (2.2 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Lepilemur fleuretae	Fleurete's sportive lemur	2006, Louis, Jr. et al.	00980 !0.98 kg (2.2 lb)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Lepilemur grewcockorum	Grewcock's sportive lemur	2006, Louis, Jr. et al.	00780 !0.78 kg (1.7 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Lepilemur hollandorum	Holland's sportive lemur	2009, Ramaromilanto et al.	00990 !0.99 kg (2.2 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Lepilemur hubbardorum	Hubbard's sportive lemur	2006, Louis, Jr. et al.	00990 !0.99 kg (2.2 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Lepilemur jamesorum	James' sportive lemur	2006, Louis, Jr. et al.	00780 !0.78 kg (1.7 lb)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Lepilemur leucopus	White-footed sportive lemur	1894, Forsyth Major	00600 !0.6 kg (1.3 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Lepilemur microdon	Small-toothed sportive lemur	1894, Forsyth Major	00800 !0.8–1.0 kg (1.8–2.2 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Lepilemur milanoii	Daraina sportive lemur	2006, Louis, Jr. et al.	00720 !0.72 kg (1.6 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Lepilemur mittermeieri	Mittermeier's sportive lemur	2006, Rabarivola et al.	unknown	4 ! Endangered
Lepilemur mustelinus	Weasel sportive lemur	1851, I. Geoffroy	01000 !1 kg (2.2 lb)	2 ! Near Threatened
Lepilemur otto	Otto's sportive lemur	2007, Craul et al.	unknown	4 ! Endangered
Lepilemur petteri	Petter's sportive lemur	2006, Louis, Jr. et al.	00630 !0.63 kg (1.4 lb)	3 ! Vulnerable
Lepilemur randrianasoloi	Randrianasolo's sportive lemur	2006, Andriaholinirina et al.	00660 !0.66–0.88 kg (1.5–1.9 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Lepilemur ruficaudatus	Red-tailed sportive lemur	1867, A. Grandidier	00760 !0.76–0.95 kg (1.7–2.1 lb)	3 ! Vulnerable
Lepilemur sahamalazensis	Sahamalaza sportive lemur	2006, Andriaholinirina et al.	00687 !0.687–0.892 kg (1.51–1.97 lb)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Lepilemur scottorum	Scott's sportive lemur	2008, Lei et al.	unknown	4 ! Endangered
Lepilemur seali	Seal's sportive lemur	2006, Louis, Jr. et al.	00950 !0.95 kg (2.1 lb)	3 ! Vulnerable
Lepilemur septentrionalis	Northern sportive lemur	1975, Rumpler & Albignac	00750 !0.75 kg (1.7 lb)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Lepilemur tymerlachsoni	Hawks' sportive lemur	2006, Louis, Jr. et al.	00880 !0.88 kg (1.9 lb)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Lepilemur wrightae	Wright's sportive lemur	2006, Louis, Jr. et al.	00950 !0.95 kg (2.1 lb)	4 ! Endangered

Family: Indriidae

Family Indriidae consists of the indri (the largest extant lemur), the woolly lemurs and the sifakas. There are 19 extant species.

The indri is one of the two largest extant lemurs.

Sifakas are vertical clingers and jumpers and are represented by 9 species.

Scientific name	Common name	Classified	Average size	Conservation status	References
Avahi betsileo	Betsileo woolly lemur	2007, Andriantompohavana et al.	unknown	4 ! Endangered
Avahi cleesei	Cleese's woolly lemur	2005, Thalmann and Geissmann	00830 !0.83 kg (1.8 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Avahi laniger	Eastern woolly lemur	1788, Gmelin	00900 !0.9–1.3 kg (2.0–2.9 lb)	3 ! Vulnerable
Avahi meridionalis	Southern woolly lemur	2006, Zaramody et al.	unknown	4 ! Endangered
Avahi mooreorum	Moore's woolly lemur	2008, Lei et al.	unknown	4 ! Endangered
Avahi occidentalis	Western woolly lemur	1898, von Lorenz-Liburnau	00700 !0.7–0.9 kg (1.5–2.0 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Avahi peyrierasi	Peyrieras' woolly lemur	2006, Zaramody et al.	unknown	3 ! Vulnerable
Avahi ramanantsoavani	Ramanantsoavana's woolly lemur	2006, Zaramody et al.	unknown	3 ! Vulnerable
Avahi unicolor	Sambirano woolly lemur	2000, Thalmann and Geissmann	00700 !0.7–1 kg (1.5–2.2 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Indri indri	Indri	1788, Gmelin	06000 !6–9.5 kg (13–21 lb)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Propithecus candidus	Silky sifaka	1871, A. Grandidier	05000 !5–6 kg (11–13 lb)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Propithecus coquereli	Coquerel's sifaka	1867, A. Grandidier	03700 !3.7–4.3 kg (8.2–9.5 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Propithecus coronatus	Crowned sifaka	1871, Milne-Edwards	03500 !3.5–4.3 kg (7.7–9.5 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Propithecus deckenii	Von der Decken's sifaka	1870, A. Grandidier	03000 !3–4.5 kg (6.6–9.9 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Propithecus diadema	Diademed sifaka	1832, Bennett	06000 !6–8.5 kg (13–19 lb)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Propithecus edwardsi	Milne-Edwards' sifaka	1871, A. Grandidier	05000 !5–6.5 kg (11–14 lb)	4 ! Endangered
Propithecus perrieri	Perrier's sifaka	1931, Lavauden	04300 !4.3–5 kg (9.5–11.0 lb)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Propithecus tattersalli	Golden-crowned sifaka	1988, Simons	03400 !3.4–3.6 kg (7.5–7.9 lb)	5 ! Critically Endangered
Propithecus verreauxi	Verreaux's sifaka	1867, A. Grandidier	03000 !3–3.5 kg (6.6–7.7 lb)	4 ! Endangered

Family: Daubentoniidae

Family Daubentoniidae contains only one surviving species, of the aye-aye. Wide ranging genetic studies have shown that it separated from the ancestral lemurs long before any other branch of the modern Lemuriformes.

The aye-aye has many physical traits unique for a primate and is monotypic within its family.

Scientific name	Common name	Classified	Average size	Conservation status	References
Daubentonia madagascariensis	Aye-aye	1788, Gmelin	2.5 kg (5.5 lb)	4 ! Endangered

Unconfirmed species

Reports of new species continue to trickle in from the field. However, these reports require further scientific evaluation before their claims can be verified.

Extinct species

Main article: Subfossil lemur

All known extinct lemurs from Madagascar are known from recent, subfossil remains. Conditions for fossilization were not ideal on the island, so little is known about ancestral lemur populations. All known extinct lemurs are thought to have died out after the arrival of humans.

Scientific name	Common name	Family	Estimated size	Extinction date	References
Archaeoindris fontoynonti	Sloth lemurs	Palaeopropithecidae	160000 !160–200 kg (350–440 lb)	1600 CE
Archaeolemur edwardsi	Monkey lemurs (or baboon lemurs)	Archaeolemuridae	015000 !15–25 kg (33–55 lb)	1047–1280 CE
Archaeolemur majori	Monkey lemurs (or baboon lemurs)	Archaeolemuridae	015000 !15–25 kg (33–55 lb)	1047–1280 CE
Babakotia radofilai	Sloth lemurs	Palaeopropithecidae	016000 !16–20 kg (35–44 lb)	3050 BCE
Daubentonia robusta	Giant aye-aye	Daubentoniidae	014000 !14 kg (31 lb)	891–1027 CE
Hadropithecus stenognathus	Monkey lemurs (or baboon lemurs)	Archaeolemuridae	027000 !27–35 kg (60–77 lb)	444–772 CE
Megaladapis edwardsi	Koala lemurs	Megaladapidae	040000 !40–80 kg (88–176 lb)	1280–1420 CE
Megaladapis grandidieri	Koala lemurs	Megaladapidae	040000 !40–80 kg (88–176 lb)	1280–1420 CE
Megaladapis madagascariensis	Koala lemurs	Megaladapidae	040000 !40–80 kg (88–176 lb)	1280–1420 CE
Mesopropithecus dolichobrachion	Sloth lemurs	Palaeopropithecidae	010000 !10–14 kg (22–31 lb)	245–429 CE
Mesopropithecus globiceps	Sloth lemurs	Palaeopropithecidae	010000 !10–14 kg (22–31 lb)	245–429 CE
Mesopropithecus pithecoides	Sloth lemurs	Palaeopropithecidae	010000 !10–14 kg (22–31 lb)	245–429 CE
Pachylemur insignis	Pachylemur	Lemuridae	011500 !11.5 kg (25 lb)	680–960 CE
Pachylemur jullyi	Pachylemur	Lemuridae	013000 !13 kg (29 lb)	unknown
Palaeopropithecus ingens	Sloth lemurs	Palaeopropithecidae	027000 !25–50 kg (55–110 lb)	1300–1620 CE
Palaeopropithecus kelyus	Sloth lemurs	Palaeopropithecidae	035000 !35 kg (77 lb)	unknown
Palaeopropithecus maximus	Sloth lemurs	Palaeopropithecidae	027000 !25–50 kg (55–110 lb)	1300–1620 CE

See also

• List of mammals of Madagascar
• List of primates

Footnotes

• ^a In 2008, the red lemur, Eulemur rufus, was split into two species, Eulemur rufus (red lemur) and Eulemur rufifrons (red-fronted lemur). Also, Eulemur rufus was previously known as the red-fronted lemur, but was renamed the red lemur, while Eulemur rufifrons assumed its former name.
• ^b Formerly referred to as Eulemur albocollaris or white-collared brown lemur, but was changed in 2008.
• ^c This extinction date for Babakotia radofilai is based on a single radiocarbon date from one specimen. For this reason, it is hard to tell when this species became extinct or how it is related to other lemur species.
• ^d Average weights reported for this species are based on very small sample sizes or are general ranges for its genus and thus require further research.

References

• Cartmill, M. (2010). "Chapter 2: Primate Classification and Diversity". In Platt, M.; Ghazanfar, A. Primate Neuroethology. Oxford University Press. pp. 10–30. ISBN 978-0-19-532659-8. 
• Garbutt, N. (2007). Mammals of Madagascar, A Complete Guide. A&C Black Publishers. ISBN 978-0-300-12550-4. 
• Godfrey, L.R.; Jungers, W.L.; Burney, D.A. (2010). "Chapter 21: Subfossil Lemurs of Madagascar". In Werdelin, L.; Sanders, W.J. Cenozoic Mammals of Africa. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-25721-4. 
• Mittermeier, R.A.; Louis, E.E.; Richardson, M.; Schwitzer, C.; et al. (2010). Lemurs of Madagascar. Illustrated by S.D. Nash (3rd ed.). Conservation International. ISBN 978-1-934151-23-5. OCLC 670545286. 
• Nowak, Ronald M. (1999). Walker's Primates of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-8018-6251-5. 

External links

• Too Many New Lemur Species? – Interview with Anne Yoder, Director of the Duke Lemur Center