Lemur
by Erin C.
The lemur belongs to the primate family. Lemurs are very similar to other primates such as the monkey. Also, there are many different types and species of lemurs. There are many different interesting facts about the lemur. For example their feet, as they wander across the forest floor, will leave an odor on the ground that they walk on. Then, when other primates and lemurs walk across the same path, you can tell that other animals and lemurs have been there too. A second interesting fact about the lemur is that the lemurs’ habitat is being destroyed because of deforestation.
The lemur has evolved over millions of years. First, the lemur developed into a vertebrate. Vertebrate is the scientific term for an animal with a backbone. That is only the first trait the lemur developed. The next group that the lemur belonged to is gnathostomes. The trait the lemur developed for that group is jaws. Gnathostomes were very important for many reasons. One is only to help grind up and chew food. Also, it helped you to capture prey. Thirdly, the lemur developed into a tetrapod. The word tetrapod means four limbs. So, the lemur then grew four limbs. Next, the lemur developed the trait of watertight eggs. By having the ability to lay watertight eggs, they became amniotes. Fourth of all, the lemur then developed a trait in which there is a hole behind the eye socket. Lemurs with that trait were classified into a group called synapsids. After that, the lemur was classified into the class of mammals. A mammal is classified by its three middle ear bones, which is also the trait. The final trait that the lemur developed was the placental. Placentals have a placenta, or the place that feeds and nourishes the baby during its time of growth in the mother. Placentals can also give live birth. As you can see, the lemur has taken many steps to become what it is today.
On our cladogram, lemurs are most closely related to the bat. I know that may seem a little bit weird, but it’s true! The most advanced trait that the bat and lemur share in common is that they are both placentals. There are many important differences between the bat and lemur. For example, the lemur walks and swings and the bat flies. The main way of how I used the cladogram to help me answer the questions is first start from the top of the branch of where the lemur is. Next, trace the branch downwards on the cladogram until you hit the closest node. From there, go upwards to the next and only other branch and trace that upwards until you appear at the bat. After that, you are at the most closely related animal to the lemur. By using almost the same process used above, I had the ability to find out the most advanced trait of the lemur. First start from the top of the branch of where the lemur is. Next, trace the branch downwards on the cladogram until you hit the closest node. Once you hit the closest node, you have the knowledge of that node being the lemur’s most advanced trait. This shows how I used the cladogram to answer the questions. As you are able to see, the lemur has a long and interesting evolution.
Last updated April 7, 2007.