Lemuriformes

Lemuriformes is the infraorder of primates within the suborder Strepsirrhini that includes lemurs and their closest relatives. Living members are endemic to Madagascar and nearby islands, with no native species elsewhere. They occupy a broad range of forest habitats and show considerable variation in size, diet, and behavior.

Taxonomy within Lemuriformes includes several families: Cheirogaleidae (mouse and dwarf lemurs), Lemuridae (true lemurs), Indriidae (indri, sifakas, and woolly lemurs), and Daubentoniidae (the aye-aye). In some classifications, Lepilemuridae (sportive lemurs) is recognized as a separate family. The infraorder is estimated to comprise around 100 species in total.

Characteristic features of lemuriforms include a dental comb for grooming and feeding, a moist rhinarium, and a postorbital bar. They are predominantly arboreal, and many species use vertical clinging and leaping as their primary mode of locomotion. The aye-aye is notable for its specialized foraging adaptation, including a long middle finger used to extract insect larvae from wood. Activity patterns vary, with some groups being nocturnal and others, such as the indriids, largely diurnal.

Evolution and conservation: Lemuriformes diverged from other strepsirrhines roughly 50–60 million years ago, with Madagascar’s long isolation fostering a high degree of endemism. Today, many lemur species are threatened by habitat loss, fragmentation, and hunting. Conservation efforts, including protected areas and targeted programs, aim to preserve this unique and increasingly vulnerable primate radiation.