| Bugtilemur Fossil range: Early Oligocene | |
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| Scientific classification
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Class |
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Order |
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Family |
Cheirogaleidae |
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Genus |
Bugtilemur |
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Bugtilemur is an extinct genus of Strepsirhine primate within family Cheirogaleidae, which includes the dwarf and mouse lemurs of Madagascar. It is represented by only one species, B. mathesoni, which was found in the Chitarwata Formation of Pakistan.[1] If this classification is correct, Bugtilemur would be the oldest lemur fossil and the only lemuriform primate, extinct or extant, that has been found outside of Madagascar, significantly complicating the evolution of diversification of lemurs.[2]
Described from a few teeth, the specimen possesses a lower canine that, according to Marivaux et al, confirm the presence of the lemur-specific toothcomb. Furthermore, on the basis of cheektooth morphology the molars share strong affinities with those of the genus Cheirogaleus (Dwarf lemurs).[3] However, Bugtilemur appears to be much smaller in size than the extant Malagasy genus and its toothcomb was shorter and broader.[4]
References[]
- ^ "Bugtilemur". The Paleobiology Database. http://paleodb.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?action=checkTaxonInfo&taxon_no=131786. Retrieved on 2009-07-08.
- ^ "Earliest Evidence Of Lemurs Discovered In Pakistan, Far From Their Current Home, Science Reports". American Association For The Advancement Of Science. 22 October 2001. 587–591. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/10/011019075135.htm. Retrieved on 2009-07-08.
- ^ Marivaux, L.; Welcomme, J.-L.; Antoine, P.-O.; Metais, G.; Baloch, I. M.; Benammi, M.; Chaimanee, Y.; Ducrocq, S.; and Jaeger, J.-J. (19 October 2001). "A fossil lemur from the Oligocene of Pakistan". Science 294: 587–591. doi:.
- ^ Gould, Lisa and Sauther, Michelle L., ed (2006). Lemurs: Ecology and Adaptation (Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects) (1 ed.). Springer. p. 8-9. ISBN 038734585X.
