Bugtilemur
Encyclopedia
Bugtilemur is an extinct genus of Strepsirhine primate
tentatively placed within family Cheirogaleidae
, which includes the dwarf and mouse lemur
s of Madagascar. It is represented by only one species, B. mathesoni, which was found in the Chitarwata Formation
of Pakistan
. 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.
Described from a few teeth, the specimen possesses a lower canine that, according to Marivaux et al., confirm the presence of the strepsirrhine-specific toothcomb
. Furthermore, on the basis of cheektooth morphology the molars share strong affinities with those of the genus Cheirogaleus (dwarf lemur
s). However, Bugtilemur appears to be much smaller in size than the extant Malagasy genus and its toothcomb was shorter and broader. More recently, the structure and general presence of the toothcomb in Bugtilemur has been questioned, as well as many other dental features, suggesting it is most likely an adapiform.
Primate
A primate is a mammal of the order Primates , which contains prosimians and simians. Primates arose from ancestors that lived in the trees of tropical forests; many primate characteristics represent adaptations to life in this challenging three-dimensional environment...
tentatively placed within family Cheirogaleidae
Cheirogaleidae
Cheirogaleidae is the family of strepsirrhine primates that contains the various dwarf and mouse lemurs. Like all other lemurs, cheirogaleids live exclusively on the island of Madagascar.-Characteristics:...
, which includes the dwarf and mouse lemur
Lemur
Lemurs are a clade of strepsirrhine primates endemic to the island of Madagascar. They are named after the lemures of Roman mythology due to the ghostly vocalizations, reflective eyes, and the nocturnal habits of some species...
s of Madagascar. It is represented by only one species, B. mathesoni, which was found in the Chitarwata Formation
Chitarwata Formation
The Chitarwata Formation is a geological formation in western Pakistan, made up of Oligocene and early Miocene terrestrial facies. It is dominated by coastal paleoenvironments ....
of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. 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
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
, significantly complicating the evolution of diversification of lemurs.
Described from a few teeth, the specimen possesses a lower canine that, according to Marivaux et al., confirm the presence of the strepsirrhine-specific toothcomb
Toothcomb
A toothcomb is an anatomical structure found in strepsirrhine primates, which includes lemurs, lorises and galagos. A toothcomb consists of long, flat forward-angled teeth, and includes the lower incisors and the canine teeth...
. Furthermore, on the basis of cheektooth morphology the molars share strong affinities with those of the genus Cheirogaleus (dwarf lemur
Dwarf lemur
The dwarf lemurs are the lemurs of the genus Cheirogaleus. All of the species in this genus, like all other lemurs, are native to Madagascar.- Description :...
s). However, Bugtilemur appears to be much smaller in size than the extant Malagasy genus and its toothcomb was shorter and broader. More recently, the structure and general presence of the toothcomb in Bugtilemur has been questioned, as well as many other dental features, suggesting it is most likely an adapiform.