- Ring-tailed Lemur
Taxobox
name = Ring-tailed LemurMSW3 Groves|pages=117|id=12100056]
status = NT
trend = down
status_system = iucn3.1
status_ref =
regnum =Animal ia
phylum =Chordata
classis =Mammal ia
ordo =Primate s
familia =Lemuridae
genus = "Lemur"
genus_authority = Linnaeus, 1758
species = "L. catta"
binomial = "Lemur catta"
binomial_authority = Linnaeus, 1758
range_
range_map_caption=Distribution of "Lemur catta"Mittermeier, p. 238]
synonyms = Genus:
*"Catta" Link, 1806
*"Maki" Muirhead, 1819
*"Mococo" Lesson, 1878
*"Odorlemur" Bolwig, 1961
*"Procebus" Storr, 1780
*"Prosimia" Boddaert, 1785 Species:
*"mococo" Muirhead, 1819The Ring-tailed Lemur ("Lemur catta") is a relatively large Strepsirhine
primate , alemur belonging to the familyLemuridae . The only species in the monotypic genus "Lemur", it is found only on the island ofMadagascar — like all other lemurs. Known locally as HiraMittermeier, p. 246] cite web |last=McGinley |first = M |coauthors=World Wildlife Fund |date=2008-08-21 |title = Primate Factsheets: Madagascar spiny thickets |publisher=Encyclopedia of Earth |url=http://www.eoearth.org/article/Madagascar_spiny_thickets |accessdate=2008-08-30] cite web |title = Ringtailed Lemur |publisher=Duke Lemur Center |url=http://lemur.duke.edu/animals/ringtailed/print.php |accessdate=2008-08-30] (Malagasy) or Maki (French, Malagasy), it inhabitsgallery forest s to spiny scrub in the southern regions of the island. In addition to being diurnal, it is also the most terrestrial of all lemurs.The Ring-tailed Lemur is widely recognized and easily distinguished from other lemur species by its long, black and white ringed tail. It is highly social, as well as matriarchal, a trait uncommon in primates. Like other lemurs, this species relies strongly on its sense of smell, and marks its territory with scent glands. Furthermore, it is one of the most vocal primates, with numerous vocalizations, including group cohesion and alarm calls.
Although threatened by
habitat destruction and therefore listed as "Near Threatened" by theIUCN Red List ,IUCN2008|assessors=Ganzhorn "et al"|year=2008|id=11496|title=Lemur catta|downloaded=06 Oct 2008 Listed as Near Threatened (NT v3.1)] the Ring-tailed Lemur is the most populous lemur inzoo s worldwide, with more than 1000 in captivity.cite web |date = 2003 |title = Ring-tailed Lemur, Lemur catta fact sheet |publisher=San Diego Zoo Library |url=http://library.sandiegozoo.org/factsheets/lemur_ring-tailed/lemur.htm |accessdate=2008-08-30] It reproduces readily in captivity and typically lives up to 27 years (16 to 19 years in the wild). Facilities actively involved in its conservation include theDuke Lemur Center inDurham, NC , the Myakka City Lemur Reserve (part of theLemur Conservation Foundation ) in Myakka City, FL, theMadagascar Fauna Group headquartered at theSaint Louis Zoo , and theBerenty Reserve in southern Madagascar.Etymology
The term "lemur" was selected by early biologists because the calls of some elusive lemur species brought to mind the cries of the spirits of the dead, or lemures, from
Roman mythology .Garbutt, p. 85-86] The species name, "catta", comes from the similarity between the Ring-tailed Lemur's purring vocalization and that of the domestic cat.Evolutionary history
No mammalian
fossil record has existed in Madagascar until recent times.Mittermeier, p. 23-26] Consequently, little is known about the evolution of the Ring-tailed Lemur, let alone the orderLemuriformes , which comprises the entire endemic primate population of the island. However, chromosomal and molecular evidence strongly suggest that all lemurs are more closely related to each other than to other Strepsirrhine primates, which further suggests that a very small ancestral population came to Madagascar via a singlerafting event between 47-57 million years ago. Subsequentevolutionary radiation andspeciation has created the diverse array of Malagasy lemurs seen today. As for the Ring-tailed Lemur, it is currently thought that it may share closer affinities than the rest of its subfamily,Lemurinae , to thebamboo lemur s of the genus "Hapalemur",Garbutt, p. 146-148] Mittermeier, p. 237] which may be a sister group of the family Lemuridae.cite journal | last=Groves | first=Colin P. | coauthors=Trueman, John W. H. | authorlink=Colin Groves | date=1995 | title=Lemurid systematics revisited | journal=Journal of Human Evolution | volume=28 | issue=5 | pages=427-437 | doi=10.1006/jhev.1995.1033]Taxonomic classification
The genus "Lemur" contains only one species, the Ring-tailed Lemur.
* Family
Lemuridae
** SubfamilyLemurinae
*** Genus "Lemur": the Ring-tailed Lemur
*** Genus "Eulemur": brown lemurs
*** Genus "Varecia": ruffed lemurs
** SubfamilyHapalemurinae : bamboo lemurs
*** Genus "Hapalemur": lesser gentle or bamboo lemurs
*** Genus "Prolemur": greater bamboo lemurChanges in taxonomy
The Ring-tailed Lemur, along with brown lemurs and
ruffed lemur s, were once grouped together in the genus "Lemur". In fact, the Ring-tailed Lemur's skeleton is nearly indistinguishable from that of the brown lemurs. However, the ruffed lemurs were reassigned to the genus "Varecia" in 1962; and due to similarities between the Ring-tailed Lemur and the bamboo lemurs, particularly in regards to molecular evidence and similarities in the scent glands, the brown lemurs were moved to the genus "Eulemur" in 1988. Consequently, the genus "Lemur" is nowmonotypic , containing only the Ring-tailed Lemur. Although not all authorities agree, the majority of the primatological community currently favors this classification.Anatomy and physiology
An adult Ring-tailed Lemur may reach a body length between convert|39|and|46|cm|in|lk=on|abbr=on and a weight between convert|2.3|and|3.5|kg|lb|lk=on|abbr=on.Mittermeier, p. 246-249] The Ring-tailed Lemur has a slender frame and narrow face, reminiscent of a vulpine muzzle. Like all lemurs, the Ring-tailed Lemur has hind limbs longer than its forelimbs. Females have two pairs of
mammary gland s, but only one pair is functional.Tail
The Ring-tailed Lemur's trademark, a long, bushy tail, is ringed in alternating black and white transverse stripes, numbering thirteen to fifteen each for both colors, and always ending in a black tip. Its tail is longer than its body, measuring up to cm to in|64|abbr=yes in length. The tail is not prehensile and is only used for balance, communication, and group cohesion.
Pelage and skin
The
pelage is dense, with the ventral (chest) coat and throat being white or cream, and the dorsal (back) coat and neck being gray to rosy-brown. The crown is dark gray, while the ears and cheeks are white. The muzzle is dark grayish and the nose is black, and the eyes are encompassed by blacklozenge -shaped patches.The skin is black in color, and visible on the nose, genitalia, and the palms and soles of the limbs. Like all lemurs, the Ring-tailed Lemur's fingers are slender, padded, and semi-dexterous with flat, human-like nails. Also in common with all lemurs, the Ring-tailed Lemur has a
toilet-claw (sometimes referred to as a "grooming claw") on the second toe of each hind limb specialized for grooming purposes. [cite web|title=Lemur Basics|url=http://www.lemurs.us/basics.html|accessdate=2008-08-28] Additionally, this primate grooms orally by licking and tooth-scraping with narrow, procumbent lower incisors and canines, called atoothcomb .Vision
The species' eyes can be a bright yellow or orange, which stay the same color from the time they are born. Unlike most diurnal primates, but like all strepsirhine primates, the Ring-tailed Lemur has a
tapetum lucidum , or reflective layer on its eye, which enhancesnight vision .cent glands
Furless
scent gland s are present on both males and females. Both genders haveapocrine andsebaceous glands in their genital regions,cite journal |author=Scordato, E.S., Dubay, G., & Drea, C.M. |year=2007 |title=Chemical Composition of Scent Marks in the Ringtailed Lemur (Lemur catta): Glandular Differences, Seasonal Variation, and Individual Signatures |journal=Chemical Senses |volume=32 |pages=493-504 |doi=10.1093/chemse/bjm018] as well as antebrachial glands located on the inner surface of the forearm in proximity of the wrist. However, only the male has a horny spur that overlays this scent gland. The males also have brachial glands on theaxillary surface of their shoulders.Ecology
The Ring-tailed Lemur is diurnal and semi-terrestrial. It is the most terrestrial of all lemur species, spending as much as 33% of its time on the ground. However, like other lemurs, it is also considerably
arboreal , spending 23% of its time in the mid-level canopy, 25% in the upper-level canopy, 6% in the emergent layer, and 13% in small bushes. Troop travel is 70% terrestrial.cite web | last = Cawthon Lang | first = KA | date = 2005-09-21 | title = Primate Factsheets: Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) Taxonomy, Morphology, & Ecology |publisher = Wisconsin Primate Research Center (WPRC) | url = http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/ring-tailed_lemur | accessdate = 2008-09-23]Troop sizes range from 6 to 25, with 13 to 15 being the average and groups over 30 individuals being recorded. Troop size, home range, and population density vary by region and food availability. Home range sizes range between convert|6|and|35|ha|acre|abbr=off|lk=on.cite book | author = Gould, L. | coauthors = Sauther, M. | title = Primates in Perspective | chapter = Lemuriformes | editor = Campbell, C., Fuentes, A., MacKinnon, K., Panger, M., & Bearder, S. | year = 2007 | page = 53| isbn = 978-0-19-517133-4] Troops of the Ring-tailed Lemur will maintain a territory, but overlap is often high. When encounters occur, they are agonistic. A troop will usually occupy the same part of its range for 3 or 4 days before moving. When it does move, the average traveling distance is convert|1|km|mi|2|abbr=on.
Population density ranges from 100 individuals per convert|1|km²|sqmi|2|abbr=on in dry forests to 250-600 individuals per km² in gallery and secondary forests.Geographic range and habitat
Found in southern and southwestern
Madagascar and ranging further into highland areas than any other lemur, the Ring-tailed Lemur inhabitsdeciduous forest s, dry scrub, montane humid forests, and gallery forests (forests along riverbanks). The Ring-tailed Lemur strongly favors gallery forests; such forests have now been cleared from much of Madagascar in order to create pasture for livestock. Depending on location, temperatures within its geographic range can range between Convert|-7|°C|°F|0|abbr=on|lk=on to Convert|48|°C|°F|0|abbr=on.This species is found as far east as
Tôlanaro , north toBelo sur Tsiribihina , along the west coast, and inland towards the mountains of Andringitra on the southeastern plateau. It can be seen in theBerenty Reserve ,Andohahela National Park ,Isalo National Park , andZombitse-Vohibasia National Park .ympatric relations
The following lemur species can be found within the Ring-tailed Lemur geographic range:
* Verreaux's Sifaka ("Propithecus verreauxi")
* Red-tailed Sportive Lemur ("Lepilemur ruficaudatus")
* White-footed Sportive Lemur ("Lepilemur leucopus")
* Red-fronted Brown Lemur ("Eulemur rufus")
* Greater Dwarf Lemur ("Cheirogaleus major")
* Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur ("Cheirogaleus medius")
* Aye-aye ("Daubentonia madagascariensis")
* Eastern Lesser Bamboo Lemur ("Hapalemur griseus")In Western Madagascar, sympatric Ring-tailed Lemurs and
Red-fronted Brown Lemur s have been studied together. Little interaction takes place between the two species. The Ring-tailed Lemur spends more time on the ground than the Red-fronted Brown Lemur. Also, while the diets of the two species overlap, they eat the foods in different proportions, with the Ring-tailed Lemur having a more varied diet.Behaviour
Diet
The Ring-tailed Lemur is an opportunistic
omnivore , although it primarily eats fruits and leaves, particularly those of the tamarind tree ("Tamarindus indica"), known natively as the kily tree. When available, tamarind can make up as much as 50% of the Ring-tailed Lemur's diet annually, especially during the dry, winter season. However, the Ring-tailed Lemur is known to eat from as many as 3 dozen different plant species and also includes flowers, herbs, bark, and sap in its diet. Additionally, it has been observed eating decayed wood, earth, spider webs, insect cocoons,arthropod s (spiders, caterpillars, cicadas, and grasshoppers), and smallvertebrate s (birds and chameleons). It becomes increasingly opportunistic during the dry season.ocial organization & interactions
The Ring-tailed Lemur lives in multi-male/multi-female troops, with a
matriline as the core group. As with most lemurs, females socially dominate males in all circumstances, including feeding priority. Dominance is enforced by lunging, chasing, cuffing, grabbing, and biting. Young females do not inherit their mother's rank, while young males leave the troop between 3 and 5 years of age.cite book | first = Robert W. | Sussman | title = Primate Ecology and Social Structure | volume = Volume 1: Lorises, Lemurs and Tarsiers | page = 154-173 | year = 1999 | isbn = 0-536-02256-9] Both sexes have separate dominance hierarchies, with females having a distinct hierarchy and male rank being correlated with age. Generally, each troop has one to three central, high-ranking adult males, who interact with females more than other group males and lead the troop procession with high-ranking females. Lower ranking males are typically recently transferred males, old males, or young adult males that have not yet left their natal group. They tend to be marginalized from group activity, staying at the periphery of the group.For males, social structure changes can be seasonal, with males immigrating between groups during the 6-month period between December through May. Established males transfer every 3.5 years, although young males may transfer every 1.4 years. Group fission occurs when groups get too large and resources become scarce.
In the mornings, the Ring-tailed Lemur sunbathes to warm itself. It faces the sun, sitting in what is frequently described as a "sun-worshipping" posture or
Lotus position . However, it sits with its legs extended outward, not cross-legged, and will often support itself on nearby branches. Sunning is often a group activity, particularly during the cold mornings. At night, troops will split into sleeping parties, huddling closely together to keep warm. Groups of huddled Ring-tailed Lemurs are popularly referred to as "lemur balls".Despite being primarily
quadruped al, the Ring-tailed Lemur can rear up and balance on its hind legs, usually for aggressive displays. When threatened, the Ring-tailed Lemur has been known to strike out with its short nails in a behaviour termed "jump fighting". This action is extremely rare outside of the breeding season when tensions are high and competition for access to mates is intense. Other aggressive behaviours include a "threat-stare", used to intimidate or start a fight, and a submissive gesture known as "pulled-back lips".Border disputes with rival troops occur occasionally, and it is the dominant female's responsibility to defend the troop's home range. Agonistic encounters include staring, lunging approaches, and occasional physical aggression, and conclude with troop members retreating toward the center of the home range.
Olfactory communication
Like most other
prosimian s, olfactory communication is critically important for the Ring-tailed Lemur. Males and females scent mark both vertical and hortizontal surfaces at the overlaps in their home ranges using their anogenital scent glands. In order to mark vertical surfaces, the Ring-tailed Lemur will perform a handstand, grasping the highest point possible with its feet while it applies its scent.cite web | last = Cawthon Lang | first = KA | date = 2005-09-21 | title = Primate Factsheets: Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) Behavior |publisher = Wisconsin Primate Research Center (WPRC) | url = http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/ring-tailed_lemur/behav | accessdate = 2008-09-23] Use of scent marking varies by age, sex and social status.cite book | author = Gouzoules, H. | coauthors = Gouzoules, S. | title = Primates in Perspective | chapter = The Conundrum of Communication | editor = Campbell, C., Fuentes, A., MacKinnon, K., Panger, M., & Bearder, S. | year = 2007 | page = 624 | isbn = 978-0-19-517133-4] Male lemurs use their antebrachial and brachial glands to demarcate territories and maintain intragroup dominance hierarchies. The thorny spur that overlays the antebrachial gland on each wrist is scraped against tree trunks to create grooves anointed with their scent. This is known as "spur-marking".In displays of aggression, males will engage in a social display behaviour called "stink fighting", which involves impregnating their tails with secretions from the antebrachial and brachial glands, and then waving the scented tail at male rivals.cite book | title = The Pictorial Guide to the Living Primates | author = Rowe, N. | year = 1996 | page = 38 | isbn = 0-9648825-0-7] Males will also occasionally wave their scented tails at females as a form of sexual overture; this usually results in the female cuffing or biting the male, and elicits subordinate vocalizations from the would-be paramour.
Auditory communication
The Ring-tailed Lemur has a complex array of distinct vocalizations used to maintain group cohesion during foraging and alert group members to the presence of a predator. Calls range from simple, such as the purr Audio2|Lemur_catta--purr1.ogg, which expresses contentment, to complex, such as the sequence of clicks, close-mouth click series (CMCS), open-mouth click series (OMCS), and yaps Audio2|Lemur_catta--click_series_&_yaps.ogg, which is used during predator mobbing.cite journal |last = Macedonia |first = Joseph M. |date = 1993 |title = The Vocal Repertoire of the Ringtailed Lemur ("Lemur catta") |journal = Folia Primatologica |volume = 61 |pages = 186–217] Some calls have variants and undergo transitions between variants and/or other calls, such as an infant "whit" (distress call) transitioning from variant 1 to variant 2 Audio2|Lemur_catta--infant_whits_transition_var1-var2.ogg.
The most commonly heard vocalizations of the Ring-tailed Lemur are the moan Audio2|Lemur_catta--moan1.ogg (low-to-moderate arousal, group cohesion), early-high wail Audio2|Lemur_catta--early-high_wails1.ogg (moderate-to-high arousal, group cohesion), and clicks Audio2|Lemur_catta--clicks1.ogg ("location marker" to draw attention).
Breeding and reproduction
The Ring-tailed Lemur is polygynous, although one central male typically breeds with more females than the others do. Fighting is most common during the breeding season.cite web |last = Anderson |first = R |date = 1999 |title = Lemur catta |publisher = Animal Diversity Web |url = http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lemur_catta.html |accessdate = 2008-04-18] When receptive, females will present their backside, lift their tail, and look at her desired male over her shoulder. Males will typically inspect the female's genitals to determine receptiveness. Although females typically mate within their troop, they will occasionally seek out males from outside their troop.
The breeding season runs from mid-April to mid-May, with
estrus lasting approximately 4-6 hours. Females mate with multiple males during their estrus period.Gestation lasts for about 135 days, with birth of the young generally occurring in September, but occasionally in October. In the wild, one offspring is the norm, although twins may occur. Ring-tailed Lemur infants have a birth weight of Convert|70|g|oz|abbr=on and are carried ventrally (on the chest) for the first 1–2 weeks, then dorsally (on the back). The young lemurs begin to eat solid food after two months and are fully weaned after five months. Sexual maturity is reached between 2.5–3 years. Male involvement in infant rearing is limited, although the entire troop, regardless of age or sex, can be seen caring for the young.Alloparenting between troop females can be seen, with instances of kidnapping having been reported.Infanticide by males also occurs occasionally. Due to harsh environmental conditions, accidents (such as falls), and predation, infant mortality can be as high as 50% within the first year, with as few as 30% reaching adulthood.Cognitive abilities and tool use
Historically, the studies of
learning andcognition in non-human primates have focused primarily onsimian s (monkeys and apes), while strepsirrhine primates, such as the Ring-tailed Lemur and its allies, have often been overlooked and popularly dismissed as unintelligent.cite journal | author = Ehrlich, E | coauthors = Fobes, JL & King, JE | title = Prosimian learning capacities | journal = Journal of Human Evolution | volume = 5 | year = 1976 | pages = 599–617] A couple factors, stemming from early experiments, have played a role in the development of this assumption. First, the experimental design of older tests may have favored the natural behavior and ecology of simians over that of strepsirrhines, making the experimental tasks inappropriate for lemurs. For example, simians are known for their manipulative play of non-food objects, whereas lemurs are only known to manipulate non-food objects in captivity, which is usually due to food association.cite journal | first = Alison | last = Jolly | authorlink = Alison Jolly | title = Prosimians' manipulation of simple object problems | journal = Animal Behaviour | volume = 12 | year = 1964 | issue = 4 | pages = 560-570 | doi = 10.1016/0003-3472(64)90080-6] Furthermore, lemurs are known to displace objects with their nose or mouth more so than with their hands. Therefore, an experiment requiring a lemur to manipulate an object without prior training would favor simians over strepsirrhines. Secondly, individual Ring-tailed Lemurs accustomed to living in a troop may not respond well to being isolated for testing in a laboratory environment, with past studies reporting them as becoming hysterical in such scenarios.cite journal | first = Geoffrey R. | last = Hosey | title = A glimpse into the lemur mind | journal = Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Symposium on Zoo Research | date = August 2000 | pages = 5-10 | url = http://www.biaza.org.uk/resources/library/images/ARSP2.pdf#page=11 | format = PDF] As a result of these early studies, lemurs were often omitted from further research.This idea has been perpetuated by the commonly held view that the neocortex ratio (as a measure of brain size) indicates intelligence.cite journal | author = Dunbar, RIM | authorlink = Robin Dunbar | title = The Social Brain Hypothesis | journal = Evolutionary Anthropology | volume = 6 | year = 1998 | issue = 4 | pages = 178–190 | | url = http://www.liv.ac.uk/evolpsyc/Evol_Anthrop_6.pdf | format=PDF] In fact, primatologist
Alison Jolly noted early in her academic career that some lemur species, such as the Ring-tailed Lemur, have evolved a social complexity similar to that of cercopithecine monkeys, but not the corresponding intelligence.cite journal | first = Alison | last = Jolly | authorlink = Alison Jolly | title = Lemur Social Behavior and Primate Intelligence | journal = Science | volume = 153 | year = 1966 | issue = 3735 | pages = 501-506 | doi = 10.1126/science.153.3735.501] More recently, and after years of observations of wild Ring-tailed Lemur populations at theBerenty Reserve in Madagascar and as well as baboons in Africa, she concluded that this highly social lemur species does not demonstrate the equivalent social complexity of cercopithecine monkeys, despite general appearances.cite journal | first = Alison | last = Jolly | authorlink = Alison Jolly | title = Pair-Bonding, Female Aggression and the Evolution of Lemur Societies | journal = Folia Primatologica | volume = 69 (Suppl. 1) | year = 1998 | pages = 1-13 | doi = 10.1159/000052693]Regardless of this, research has continued to illuminate the complexity of the lemur mind, particularly that of the Ring-tailed Lemur. Even as early as the mid-1970's, studies had demonstrated that they could be trained through
operant conditioning using standard schedules of reinforcement. Just like othervertebrate s, the species has been shown to be capable of learning pattern, brightness, and object discrimination. Furthermore, it has been shown to learn a variety of complex tasks, often equaling, if not exceeding, the performance of simians.More recently, research at the
Duke Lemur Center has shown that the Ring-tailed Lemur can organize sequences in memory and retrieve ordered sequences without language.cite journal | first = Dustin | last = Merritt | coauthors = et al. | title = A Comparative Analysis of Serial Ordering in Ring-Tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta) | journal = Journal of Comparative Psychology | volume = 121 | issue = 4 | year = 2007 | pages = 363–371 | url = http://www.duke.edu/web/mind/level2/faculty/liz/Publications/Merritt,%20MacLean,%20Jaffe%20and%20Brannon%20(2007).pdf | format = PDF Reprint | doi = 10.1037/0735-7036.121.4.363] Additionally, the experimental design demonstrated that the lemurs were using internal representation of the sequence to guide their responses, and not simply following a trained sequence, where one item in the sequence cues the selection of the next item. But this is not the limit of the Ring-tailed Lemur's reasoning skills. Another study, performed at the Myakka City Lemur Reserve, suggests that this species, along with several other closely related lemur species, understand simple arithmetic operations.cite journal | first = Laurie R. | last = Santos | coauthors = Barnes, Jennifer L., & Mahajan, Neha | title = Expectations about numerical events in four lemur species (Eulemur fulvus, Eulemur mongoz, Lemur catta and Varecia rubra) | journal = Animal Cognition | volume = 8 | year = 2005 | pages = 253–262 | url = http://www.yale.edu/monkeylab/Main/Publications_files/santosetal.lemurnumber.pdf | format = PDF Reprint | doi = 10.1007/s10071-005-0252-4]Since tool use is considered to be a key feature of primate intelligence, the apparent lack of this behavior in wild lemurs, as well as the lack of non-food object play, has helped reinforce the perception that lemurs have less intelligence than their simian cousins. However, another study at the Myakka City Lemur Reserve examined the representation of tool functionality in both the Ring-tailed Lemur and the
Common Brown Lemur and discovered that, like monkeys, they utilized tools with functional properties (e.g., tool orientation, ease of use) instead of tools with nonfunctional features (e.g., color, texture).cite journal | first = Laurie R. | last = Santos | coauthors = Mahajan, Neha, & Barens, Jennifer L. | title = How Prosimian Primates Represent Tools: Experiments With Two Lemur Species (Eulemur fulvus and Lemur catta) | journal = Journal of Comparative Psychology | volume = 119 | year = 2005 | issue = 4 | pages = 394–403 | url = http://www.yale.edu/monkeylab/Main/Publications_files/santosetal.lemurtools.jcp.pdf | format = PDF Reprint | doi = 10.1037/0735-7036.119.4.394] Although the Ring-tailed Lemur may not use tools in the wild, it can not only be trained to use a tool, but will preferentially select tools based on their functional qualities. Therefore, the conceptual competence to utilize a tool may have been present in the common primate ancestor, even though the use of tools may not have appeared until much later.Conservation status
Human activity is the greatest threat to the Ring-tailed Lemur.
Habitat destruction is the greatest concern, with much of its range being cleared through annual burning to create pasture for livestock. Furthermore,overgrazing and the felling of trees forcharcoal production are having a severe impact. This species is also hunted for food (bush meat ) and kept as pets.cite web | last = Cawthon Lang | first = KA | date = 2005-09-21 | title = Primate Factsheets: Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) Conservation | publisher = Wisconsin Primate Research Center (WPRC) | url = http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/ring-tailed_lemur/cons | accessdate = 2008-09-23]The Ring-tailed Lemur has both natural and introduced predators. Native predators include the Fossa ("Cryptoprocta ferox"), the Madagascar Harrier-hawk ("Polyboroides radiatus"), the Madagascar Buzzard ("Buteo brachypterus"), and the Madagascar Ground Boa ("Boa madagascariensis"). Introduced predators include the Small Indian Civet ("Viverricula indica"), the
Domestic Cat , and theDomestic Dog .Cultural references
* The Ring-tailed Lemur has been popularized in the
Animal Planet television series Lemur Kingdom (United States) andLemur Street (United Kingdom), as well as the character Julien in the animated films Madagascar (2005) and (2008). The television series depicts real events in the lives of wild Ring-tailed Lemurs, whereas the animated films depictanthropomorphic representations, with lemurs talking, singing, and dancing. The Ring-tailed Lemur was also the focus of the 1996 Nature documentary "A Lemur's Tale", which was filmed at the Berenty Reserve and followed a troop of lemurs. The troop included a unique infant named Sapphire, who was nearlyalbino , with white fur, sparkling blue eyes, and the characteristic ringed tail.
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