Subfossil lemurs are lemurs from Madagascar that are represented by recent (subfossil) remains dating from nearly 26,000 years ago to approximately 560 years ago. 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. Extinct species are estimated to have ranged in size from slightly over 10 kg (22 lb) to roughly 160 kg (350 lb). Even the subfossil remains of living species are larger and more robust than the skeletal remains of modern specimens. The subfossil sites found around most of the island demonstrate that most giant lemurs had wide distributions and that ranges of living species have contracted significantly since the arrival of humans.
skull of Palaeopropithecus maximus, an extinct species of sloth lemur
The skull and teeth of Pachylemur insignis suggest that it ate mostly fruit and some leaves.
Archaeoindris was the largest of the sloth lemurs, and the largest known lemur. It weighed approximately 160 kg (350 lb).
Subfossil remains of the indri (Indri indri) suggest a significant recent reduction in its geographic range.
Lemurs are wet-nosed primates of the superfamily Lemuroidea, divided into 8 families and consisting of 15 genera and around 100 existing species. They are endemic to the island of Madagascar. Most existing lemurs are small, have a pointed snout, large eyes, and a long tail. They chiefly live in trees and are active at night.
Lemur
A life restoration of Babakotia radofilai, a sloth lemur that became extinct less than two thousand years ago
Close-up of a ruffed lemur's foot, showing the toilet-claw on the second toe and nails on all other toes
A six-tooth version of the strepsirrhine toothcomb in a ring-tailed lemur, with canine-like premolars behind it