Ring-tailed lemur
Ring-tailed lemur | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Primates |
Suborder: | Strepsirrhini |
Family: | Lemuridae |
Genus: | Lemur Linnaeus, 1758 |
Species: | L. catta
|
Binomial name | |
Lemur catta | |
Native range of Lemur catta[1] | |
Synonyms | |
|
The ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) is a medium- to larger-sized
The ring-tailed lemur is highly social, living in groups—known as "troops"—of up to 30 individuals. It is also a female-dominant species, a commonality among lemurs. To keep warm and reaffirm social bonds, groups will huddle together. Mutual grooming is another vital aspect of lemur socialization (as with all primates), reaffirming social and familial connections, while also helping rid each other of any potential insects. Ring-tailed lemurs are strictly
As one of the most vocal primates, the ring-tailed lemur uses numerous
Despite adapting to and breeding easily under captive care (and being the most popular species of lemur in
Etymology
Although the term "lemur" was first intended for
Following Linnaeus's
Evolutionary history
All
According to analysis of
The ring-tailed lemur is thought to share closer affinities to the
The relationship between the ring-tailed lemur and bamboo lemurs is the least understood. Molecular analysis suggests that either the bamboo lemurs diverged from the ring-tailed lemur, making the group monophyletic and supporting the current two-genera taxonomy,[17] or that the ring-tailed lemur is nested in with the bamboo lemurs, requiring Hapalemur simus to be split off into its own genus, Prolemur.[16]
The karyotype of the ring-tailed lemur has 56 chromosomes, of which four are metacentric (arms of nearly equal length), four are submetacentric (arms of unequal length), and 46 are acrocentric (the short arm is hardly observable). The X chromosome is metacentric and the Y chromosome is acrocentric.[3]
Taxonomic classification
Linnaeus first used the genus name Lemur to describe "Lemur tardigradus" (the red slender loris, now known as Loris tardigradus) in his 1754 catalog of the Museum of King Adolf Frederick. In 1758, his 10th edition of Systema Naturae listed the genus Lemur with three included species, only one of which is still considered to be a lemur while another is no longer considered to be a primate. These species include: Lemur tardigradus, Lemur catta (the ring-tailed lemur), and Lemur volans (the Philippine colugo, now known as Cynocephalus volans). In 1911, Oldfield Thomas made Lemur catta the type species for the genus, despite the term initially being used to describe lorises. On January 10, 1929, the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) formalized this decision in its publication of Opinion 122.[3][4]
The ring-tailed lemur shares many similarities with ruffed lemurs (genus Varecia) and true lemurs (genus Eulemur), and its skeleton is nearly indistinguishable from that of the true lemurs.[18] Consequently, the three genera were once grouped together in the genus Lemur and more recently are sometimes referred to as subfamily Lemurinae (within family Lemuridae). However, ruffed lemurs were reassigned to the genus Varecia in 1962,[20] and due to similarities between the ring-tailed lemur and the bamboo lemurs, particularly in regards to molecular evidence and scent glands similarities, the true lemurs were moved to the genus Eulemur by Yves Rumpler and Elwyn L. Simons (1988) as well as Colin Groves and Robert H. Eaglen (1988).[20][3][19] In 1991, Ian Tattersall and Jeffrey H. Schwartz reviewed the evidence and came to a different conclusion, instead favoring to return the members of Eulemur and Varecia to the genus Lemur. However, this view was not widely accepted and the genus Lemur remained monotypic, containing only the ring-tailed lemur.[20][19][21] Because the differences in molecular data are so minute between the ring-tailed lemur and both genera of bamboo lemurs, it has been suggested that all three genera be merged.[16]
Because of the difficulty in discerning the relationships within family Lemuridae, not all authorities agree on the taxonomy, although the majority of the primatological community favors the current classification.[21]
Taxonomy of family Lemuridae[20][19][21] | Phylogeny of family Lemuridae[13][15][16][22] |
---|---|
In 1996, researchers
Anatomy and physiology
The ring-tailed lemur is a relatively large lemur. Its average weight is 2.2 kilograms (4.9 lb).[21] Its head–body length ranges between 39 and 46 cm (15 and 18 in), its tail length is 56 and 63 cm (22 and 25 in), and its total length is 95 and 110 cm (37 and 43 in).[3][21] Other measurements include a hind foot length of 102 and 113 mm (4.0 and 4.4 in), ear length of 40 and 48 mm (1.6 and 1.9 in), and cranium length of 78 and 88 mm (3.1 and 3.5 in).[3]
The species has a slender frame and narrow face, fox-like muzzle.
The
Unlike most diurnal primates, but like all strepsirrhine primates, the ring-tailed lemur has a tapetum lucidum, or reflective layer behind the retina of the eye, that enhances night vision.[27] The tapetum is highly visible in this species because the pigmentation of the ocular fundus (back surface of the eye), which is present in—but varies between—all lemurs, is very spotty. The ring-tailed lemur also has a rudimentary foveal depression on the retina. Another shared characteristic with the other strepsirrhine primates is the rhinarium, a moist, naked, glandular nose supported by the upper jaw and protruding beyond the chin. The rhinarium continues down where it divides the upper lip. The upper lip is attached to the premaxilla, preventing the lip from protruding and thus requiring the lemur to lap water rather than using suction.[3]
The skin of the ring-tailed lemur is dark gray or black in color, even in places where the fur is white. It is exposed on the nose, palms, soles, eyelids, lips, and genitalia. The skin is smooth, but the leathery texture of the hands and feet facilitate terrestrial movement. The
Females have two pairs of
Its fingers are slender, padded, mostly lacking webbing, and semi-dexterous with flat, human-like
Dentition
The ring-tailed lemur has a dentition of 2.1.3.32.1.3.3 × 2 = 36, meaning that on each side of the jaw it has two incisors, one canine tooth, three premolars, and three molar teeth.[3] Its deciduous dentition is 2.1.32.1.3 × 2 = 24.[32] The permanent teeth erupt in the following order: m 1/1 (first molars), i 2/2 (first incisors), i 3/3 (second incisors), C1 (upper canines), m 2/2 (second molars), c1 (lower canines), m 3/3 (third molars), p 4/4 (third premolars), p 3/3 (second premolars), p 2/2 (first premolars).[3]
Its lower incisors (i1 and i2) are long, narrow, and finely spaced while pointing almost straight forward in the mouth (procumbent). Together with the incisor-shaped (incisiform) lower canines (c1), which are slightly larger and also procumbent, form a structure called a
The upper incisors are small, with the first incisors (I1) space widely from each other, yet closely to the second incisors (I2). Both are compressed buccolingually (between the cheek and the tongue). The upper canines (C1) are long, have a broad base, and curve down and back (recurved). The upper canines exhibit slight sexual dimorphism, with males exhibiting slightly larger canines than females. Both sexes use them in combat by slashing with them. There is a small diastema between the upper canine and the first premolar (P2), which is smaller and more caniniform than the other premolars. Unlike other lemurs, the first two upper molars (M1 and M2) have prominent lingual cingulae, yet do not have a protostyle.[3]
Ecology
The ring-tailed lemur is
Troop size, home range, and population density vary by region and food availability. Troops typically range in size from 6 to 25, although troops with over 30 individuals have been recorded. The average troop contains 13 to 15 individuals.[18] Home range size varies between 6 and 35 hectares (15 and 86 acres).[36] Troops of the ring-tailed lemur will maintain a territory, but overlap is often high. When encounters occur, they are agonistic, or hostile in nature. A troop will usually occupy the same part of its range for three or four days before moving. When it does move, the average traveling distance is 1 km (0.62 mi).[35] Population density ranges from 100 individuals per 1 km2 (0.39 sq mi) in dry forests to 250–600 individuals per km2 in gallery and secondary forests.[25]
The ring-tailed lemur has both native and
Geographic range and habitat
This species is found as far east as
The ring-tailed lemur can be easily seen in five
Within the protected regions it is known to inhabit, the ring-tailed lemur is
|
|
|
In western Madagascar, sympatric ring-tailed lemurs and red-fronted lemurs (Eulemur rufifrons) have been studied together. Little interaction takes place between the two species. While the diets of the two species overlap, they eat in different proportions since the ring-tailed lemur has a more varied diet and spends more time on the ground.[35]
Diet
The ring-tailed lemur is an opportunistic
Behavior
Social systems
Ring-tailed lemurs live in groups known as "troops," which are classified as
For males, social structure changes can be seasonal. During the six-month period between December and May a few males migrate between groups. Established males transfer on average every 3.5 years,[35] although young males may transfer approximately every 1.4 years. Group fission occurs when groups get too large and resources become scarce.[42]
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.[42]
Despite being
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.[42]
Olfactory communication
In displays of aggression, males engage in a social display behaviour called stink fighting, which involves impregnating their tails with secretions from the antebrachial and brachial glands and waving the scented tail at male rivals.[44]
Ring-tailed lemurs have also been shown to
Auditory communication
The ring-tailed lemur is one of the most vocal primates and has a complex array of distinct
The most commonly heard vocalizations are the moan (ⓘ) (low-to-moderate arousal, group cohesion), early-high wail (ⓘ) (moderate-to-high arousal, group cohesion), and clicks (ⓘ) ("location marker" to draw attention).[48]
Breeding and reproduction
The ring-tailed lemur is
The breeding season runs from mid-April to mid-May.
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 and 3 years.[49] 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 has been reported. Kidnapping by females and infanticide by males also occur occasionally.[42] Due to harsh environmental conditions, predation and accidents such as falls, infant mortality can be as high as 50% within the first year and as few as 30% may reach adulthood.[18] The longest-lived ring-tailed lemur in the wild was a female at the Berenty Reserve who lived for 20 years.[25] In the wild, females rarely live past the age of 16, whereas the life expectancy of males is not known due to their social structure. The longest-lived male was reported to be 15 years old. The maximum lifespan reported in captivity was 27 years.[3]
Cognitive abilities and tool use
Historically, the studies of learning and cognition in non-human primates have focused on simians (monkeys and apes), while strepsirrhine primates, such as the ring-tailed lemur and its allies, have been overlooked and popularly dismissed as unintelligent.[53] A couple of 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 with non-food objects, whereas lemurs are only known to manipulate non-food objects in captivity.[54] This behavior is usually connected with food association. Also, lemurs are known to displace objects with their nose or mouth more so than with their hands.[53] Therefore, an experiment requiring a lemur to manipulate an object without prior training would favor simians over strepsirrhines. Second, individual ring-tailed lemurs accustomed to living in a troop may not respond well to isolation for laboratory testing. Past studies have reported hysterical behavior in such scenarios.[55]
The notion that lemurs are unintelligent has been perpetuated by the view that the neocortex ratio (as a measure of brain size) indicates intelligence.[56] 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.[57] After years of observations of wild ring-tailed lemur populations at the Berenty Reserve in Madagascar and as well as baboons in Africa, she more recently concluded that this highly social lemur species does not demonstrate the equivalent social complexity of cercopithecine monkeys, despite general appearances.[58]
Regardless, research has continued to illuminate the complexity of the lemur mind, with emphasis on the cognitive abilities of the ring-tailed lemur. As early as the mid-1970s, studies had demonstrated that they could be trained through operant conditioning using standard schedules of reinforcement. The species has been shown to be capable of learning pattern, brightness, and object discrimination, skills common among vertebrates. The ring-tailed lemur has also been shown to learn a variety of complex tasks often equaling, if not exceeding, the performance of simians.[53]
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.[59] 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.[59] 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.[60]
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 are less intelligent than their simian cousins.[54] 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 used tools with functional properties (e.g., tool orientation or ease of use) instead of tools with nonfunctional features (e.g., color or texture). 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 use a tool may have been present in the common primate ancestor, even though the use of tools may not have appeared until much later.[61]
Conservation status
In addition to being listed as endangered in 2014 by the IUCN,[1] the ring-tailed lemur has been listed since 1977 by CITES under Appendix I,[2] which makes trade of wild-caught specimens illegal. Although there are more endangered species of lemur, the ring-tailed lemur is considered a flagship species due to its recognizability.[62] As of 2017, only about 2,000 ring-tailed lemurs are estimated to be left in the wild, making the threat of extinction far more serious for them than previously believed.[5]
Three factors threaten ring-tailed lemurs. First and foremost is
The ring-tailed lemur resides in several protected areas within its range, each offering varying levels of protection. At the Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve, a holistic approach to in-situ conservation has been taken. Not only does field research and resource management involve international students and local people (including school children), livestock management is used at the peripheral zones of the reserve and ecotourism benefits the local people.[62]
Outside of its diminishing habitat and other threats, the ring-tailed lemur reproduces readily and has fared well in captivity. For this reason, along with its popularity, it has become the most populous lemur in
Ring-tailed lemur populations can also benefit from drought intervention, due to the availability of watering troughs and introduced fruit trees, as seen at the Berenty Private Reserve in southern Madagascar.[62] However, these interventions are not always seen favorably, since natural population fluctuations are not permitted. The species is thought to have evolved its high fecundity due to its harsh environment.[62]
Cultural references
The ring-tailed lemur is known locally in Malagasy as maky (pronounced [ˈmakʲi̥], and spelled maki in French) or hira (pronounced [ˈhirə] or colloquially [ˈir]). Being the most widely recognized endemic primate on the island, it has been selected as the symbol for Madagascar National Parks (formerly known as ANGAP).[21] The Maki brand, which started by selling T-shirts in Madagascar and now sells clothing across the Indian Ocean islands, is named after this lemur due to its popularity, even though the company's logo portrays the face of a sifaka and its name uses the French spelling.[64]
The first mention of the ring-tailed lemur in Western literature came in 1625 when English traveller and writer Samuel Purchas described them as being comparable in size to a monkey and having a fox-like long tail with black and white rings.[3] Charles Catton included the species in his 1788 book Animals Drawn from Nature and Engraved in Aqua-tinta, calling it the "Maucauco" and regarding it as a type of monkey.[65]
The species was further popularized by the
A Ring-tailed lemur played a role in the 1997 comedy film
Notes
- ^ The genus name Prosimia was declared unavailable by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature in 1998.[3]
- ^ Type species was designated as Catta mococo (= Lemur catta Linnaeus, 1758).[3]
- ^ Type species was designated as Maki mococo (= Lemur catta Linnaeus, 1758).[3][4]
- René Primevère Lesson named the type species for this genus as Prosimia catta (= Lemur catta Linnaeus, 1758) in the same year (1878).[3]
- ^ Muirhead (1819) credited the name Maki mococo to Anselme Gaëtan Desmarest (1817), although it was actually used as a vernacular name.[3][4]
- ^ The pale fork-marked lemur found at Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park may instead be a new species.[38]
References
- ^ .
- ^ a b "Checklist of CITES Species". CITES. UNEP-WCMC. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
- ^ S2CID 20361726.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Tattersall 1982, pp. 43–46.
- ^ a b Platt, John R. (13 January 2017). "Ring-Tailed Lemur Populations Have Crashed by 95 Percent". Scientific American. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
- ^ Tattersall 1982, pp. 43–44.
- ^ ISSN 1608-1439.
- ^ Lux, J. (2008). "What are lemures?" (PDF). Humanitas. 32 (1): 7–14. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2010.
- ^ Blunt & Stearn 2002, p. 252.
- ^ Nield 2007, p. 41.
- ^ a b Mittermeier et al. 2006, pp. 23–26.
- ^ Garbutt 2007, pp. 85–86.
- ^ PMID 18245770. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2011-06-10.
- ^ Mittermeier et al. 2010, Chapter 2.
- ^ PMID 18824224.
- ^ PMID 12393004.
- ^ PMID 27113475.
- ^ a b c d e f Garbutt 2007, pp. 146–148.
- ^ a b c d Mittermeier et al. 2006, p. 237.
- ^ a b c d Groves 2005, Lemur catta.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Mittermeier et al. 2010, pp. 358–375.
- PMID 18442367.
- ^ a b Goodman, Rakotoarisoa & Wilmé 2006, pp. 3–15.
- ^ doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.2000.tb00814.x. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2011-06-10.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Mittermeier et al. 2006, pp. 246–249.
- ^ Ankel-Simons 2007, p. 294.
- ^ Rowe 1996, p. 27.
- S2CID 29073999.
- PMID 17488747.
- ^ Ankel-Simons 2007, pp. 391–505.
- ^ Ankel-Simons 2007, pp. 47–160.
- ^ Ankel-Simons 2007, pp. 224–283.
- ^ Cuozzo & Yamashita 2006, pp. 67–96.
- PMID 3557229.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Sussman 1999, pp. 154–173.
- ^ Gould & Sauther 2007, p. 53.
- .
- ^ a b c Mittermeier et al. 2010, Appendix C.
- ^ Gould 2006, p. 263.
- ^ Jolly & Sussman 2006, p. 28.
- ^ Jolly et al. 2006, p. vi.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Cawthon Lang, K.A. (2005-09-21). "Primate Factsheets: Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) Behavior". Wisconsin Primate Research Center (WPRC). Retrieved 2008-09-23.
- ^ Gouzoules & Gouzoules 2007, p. 624.
- ^ Rowe 1996, p. 38.
- ^ S2CID 495270.
- ^ Palagi, E.; Dapporto, L. (2006). "Urine marking and urination in Lemur catta: a comparison of design features" (PDF). Annales Zoologici Fennici. 43: 280–284.
- PMID 19051254.
- ^ PMID 7959437.
- ^ a b Anderson, R. (1999). "Lemur catta". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 2008-04-18.
- .
- BBC. Animal Planet.
- ISBN 978-1-4899-2414-8.
- ^ .
- ^ .
- ^ Hosey, G.R. (2000). "A glimpse into the lemur mind" (PDF). Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Symposium on Zoo Research: 5–10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-04-23.
- S2CID 9555943.
- S2CID 29181662.
- S2CID 46767773.
- ^ PMID 18085919. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2010-04-20.
- S2CID 26227151. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2012-10-13.
- PMID 16366773. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2012-07-13.
- ^ a b c d e f g Cawthon Lang, K.A. (2005-09-21). "Primate Factsheets: Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) Conservation". Wisconsin Primate Research Center (WPRC). Retrieved 2008-09-23.
- ^ Mittermeier et al. 2006, p. 57.
- ^ Mittermeier et al. 2010, Chapter 5.
- ^ Catton, Charles (1788). "The Maucauco, Plate 23". Animals drawn from Nature and engraved in aqua-tinta. I. and J. Taylor.
- ^ "Lemur Street". Southern Star Group. Archived from the original on 12 September 2007. Retrieved 18 January 2008.
- ^ "Lemur Street". Online Video Guide. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
- ^ Mittermeier et al. 2010, pp. 93–95.
- ^ "A Lemur's Tale: About". Nature. PBS. February 1997. Archived from the original on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
- ^ ten Cate, Hans (13 June 2002). "John Cleese Visits Lemurs at San Francisco Zoo". PythOnline's Daily Llama. Archived from the original on 16 December 2010. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
- ^ a b Cleese, John (1998). In the Wild: Operation Lemur with John Cleese (DVD). Tigress Productions Ltd. for BBC. Archived from the original on 5 June 2010. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
- ^ Duke University (12 October 1998). "Four More Lemurs To Be Released Into Madagascar Jungle This Fall". Science Daily. Archived from the original on 26 September 2010. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
Literature cited
- Ankel-Simons, F. (2007). Primate Anatomy (3rd ed.). Academic Press. ISBN 978-0-12-372576-9.
- Blunt, W.; Stearn, W.T. (2002). Linnaeus: the compleat naturalist. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-09636-0.
- Cuozzo, F.P.; Yamashita, N. (2006). "Chapter 4: Impact of Ecology on the Teeth of Extant Lemurs: A Review of Dental Adaptations, Function, and Life History". In Gould, L.; Sauther, M.L. (eds.). Lemurs: Ecology and Adaptation. Springer. pp. 67–96. ISBN 978-0-387-34585-7.
- Garbutt, N. (2007). Mammals of Madagascar: A Complete Guide. A&C Black Publishers. ISBN 978-0-300-12550-4.
- Gould, L. (2006). "Chapter 12: Lemur catta ecology: What we know and what we need to know". In Gould, L.; Sauther, M.L. (eds.). Lemurs: Ecology and Adaptation. Springer. pp. 255–274. ISBN 978-0-387-34585-7.
- Gould, L.; Sauther, M. (2007). "Lemuriformes". In Campbell, C.; Fuentes, A.; MacKinnon, K.; Stumpf, R.M.; Bearder, S. (eds.). Primates in Perspective. Oxford University Press. p. 53. ISBN 978-0-19-517133-4.
- Gouzoules, H.; Gouzoules, S. (2007). "The Conundrum of Communication". In Campbell, C.; Fuentes, A.; MacKinnon, K.; Stumpf, R.M.; Bearder, S. (eds.). Primates in Perspective. Oxford University Press. p. 624. ISBN 978-0-19-517133-4.
- Goodman, S.M.; Rakotoarisoa, S.V.; Wilmé, L. (2006). "The Distribution and Biogeography of the Ringtailed Lemur (Lemur catta) in Madagascar". In Jolly, A.; Sussman, R.W.; Koyama, N.; Rasamimanana, H. (eds.). Ringtailed Lemur Biology. Springer. pp. 3–15. ISBN 978-0-387-32669-6.
- OCLC 62265494.
- Jolly, A.; Sussman, R.W. (2006). "Chapter 2: Notes on the History of Ecological Studies of Malagasy Lemurs". In Gould, L.; Sauther, M.L. (eds.). Lemurs: Ecology and Adaptation. Springer. pp. 19–39. ISBN 978-0-387-34585-7.
- Jolly, A.; Sussman, R.W.; Koyama, N.; Rasamimanana, H., eds. (2006). "Preface". Ringtailed Lemur Biology. Springer. pp. v–vii. ISBN 978-0-387-32669-6.
- OCLC 670545286.
- OCLC 883321520.
- Nield, T. (2007). Supercontinent: Ten Billion Years in the Life of Our Planet. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-02659-9.
- Rowe, N. (1996). The Pictorial Guide to the Living Primates. Pogonias Press. ISBN 978-0-9648825-0-8.
- Sussman, R.W. (1999). Primate Ecology and Social Structure. Vol. 1: Lorises, Lemurs and Tarsiers. Pearson Custom Pub. pp. 154–173. ISBN 978-0-536-02256-1.
- Tattersall, I. (1982). The Primates of Madagascar. Columbia University Press. pp. 43–46. ISBN 978-0-231-04704-3.
External links
- Official ring-tailed lemur species survival plan
- Ring-tailed Lemur: Lemur catta – Tree of Life Project
- ARKive – images and movies of the ring-tailed lemur
- Primate Info Net Lemur catta Factsheet
- Lemur Conservation Foundation: ring-tailed lemurs
- Nature: A Lemur's Tale
- PBS: In the Wild: Operation Lemur with John Cleese