Red-bellied lemur

Red-bellied lemur
CITES Appendix I (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Strepsirrhini
Family: Lemuridae
Genus: Eulemur
Species:
E. rubriventer
Binomial name
Eulemur rubriventer
Distribution of E. rubriventer[1]
Synonyms
  • flaviventer I. Geoffroy, 1850
  • rufipes Gray, 1871
  • rufiventer Gray, 1870
Male
Female
Juvenile

The red-bellied lemur (Eulemur rubriventer) is a medium-sized strepsirrhine primate with a luxuriant chestnut brown coat. This lemur is endemic to eastern Madagascan rainforests and is distinguished by patches of white skin below the eyes, giving rise to a "teardrop" effect, particularly conspicuous in the male.[4]

The species, first identified in 1850, exhibits diurnal behaviour and marked sexual dimorphism. The red-bellied lemur has been studied extensively since the mid-1980s, primarily in Ranomafana National Park.[5][6] This lemur species is designated as vulnerable according to the IUCN Red List, due to threats endangering habitats from slash-and-burn agriculture in Madagascar.

  1. ^ a b Irwin, M.; King, T.; Ravoloharimanitra, M.; Razafindramanana, J.; Tecot, S. (2021) [amended version of 2020 assessment]. "Eulemur rubriventer". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T8203A189740044. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Checklist of CITES Species". CITES. UNEP-WCMC. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  3. ^ Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 116. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
  4. ^ Russell Mittermeier et al., Lemurs of Madagascar, Conservation Press (2006)
  5. ^ B. Meier, Preliminary report of a field study of Lemur rubriventer and Hapalemar simus (nov. species) in Ranomafana-Itandiana (1986-87) Report to Ministry of Scientific Research, 312 Faritany Fianaransoa, Antananarivo, Madagascar
  6. ^ C. Dague and J.J. Peter, Observations sur le Lemur ruriventer dans son milieu naturel, In: L. Rakotovao, L’Equilibre des Ecosystems Forestiers a Madagascar: Actes d’un seminaire international IUCN, Gland Switz and Cambridge (1988)