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Archaeoindris fontoynontii is an extinct giant lemur and the largest primate known to have evolved on Madagascar, comparable in size to a male gorilla.It belonged to a family of extinct lemurs known as "sloth lemurs" (Palaeopropithecidae) and, because of its extremely large size, it has been compared to the ground sloths that once roamed North and South America.
They include both extant and extinct species, although the term more frequently refers to the extinct giant lemurs. The diversity of subfossil lemur communities was greater than that of present-day lemur communities, ranging to as high as 20 or more species per location, compared with 10 to 12 species today.
Archaeolemur is one of the most common and well-known of the extinct giant lemurs as hundreds of its bones have been discovered in fossil deposits across the island. [ 4 ] [ 5 ] It was larger than any extant lemur, with a body mass of approximately 18.2–26.5 kg (40–58 lb), and is commonly reconstructed as the most frugivorous and ...
Pachylemur is an extinct, giant lemur most closely related to the ruffed lemurs of genus Varecia.Two species are known, Pachylemur insignis and Pachylemur jullyi, although there is some doubt as to whether or not they may actually be the same species.
Megaladapis, informally known as the koala lemur, [1] [2] is an extinct genus of lemurs belonging to the family Megaladapidae, consisting of three species that once inhabited the island of Madagascar. The largest measured between 1.3 to 1.5 m (4 to 5 ft) in length.
All known extinct lemurs from Madagascar are known from recent, subfossil remains. [208] 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.
Ampasambazimba is a mountain peak and subfossil site in Madagascar, near Analavory, most known for being the site of the remains of the extinct giant sloth lemur Archaeoindris. Ampasambazimba is located at 1,036 meters above sea level. [3] It was discovered in 1902 by Monsieur Raybaud, a colonial administrator at the time.
Ranging in size from the 30 g (1.1 oz) Madame Berthe's mouse lemur, the world's smallest primate, [48] to the extinct 160–200 kg (350–440 lb) Archaeoindris fontoynonti, [49] lemurs evolved diverse forms of locomotion, varying levels of social complexity, and unique adaptations to the local climate.