The critical situation of the Madagascar lemurs, 95% risk extinction.

Lemuriformes is an infraorder of primate that falls under the suborder Strepsirrhini. It includes the lemurs of Madagascar, as well as the galagos and lorisids of Africa and Asia, although a popular alternative taxonomy places the lorisoids in their own infraorder, Lorisiformes.

Lemuriform primates are characterized by a toothcomb, a specialized set of teeth in the front, lower part of the mouth mostly used for combing fur during grooming.

Evolutionary history

Lemuriform origins are unclear and debated. American paleontologist Philip Gingerich proposed that lemuriform primates evolved from one of several genera of European adapids based on similarities between the front lower teeth of adapids and the toothcomb of extant lemuriforms; however, this view is not strongly supported due to a lack of clear transitional fossils. Instead, lemuriforms may be descended from a very early branch of Asian cercamoniines or sivaladapids that immigrated to northern Africa.

Lemurs of Madagascar, 95% risk extinction

The situation is becoming increasingly critical: it is the recent conclusion of a large group of specialists. There is much to be done to safeguard the unique habitats of the island, raising awareness among the local populations

A new assessment confirms the critical conditions of the Madagascar lemurs, which are in effect the most threatened primates on the planet. If in 2005 the species at risk were 68% and in 2014 91%, now they have reached 95%. Almost all the lemurs are in danger, mainly due to habitat destruction and poaching, but threats that gain more and more weight also emerge from the new assessment. Although illegal trade, lemurs are increasingly in demand as pets while their hunting is practiced for cultural reasons, even when there are alternative protein sources such as fish or poultry, with a growing negative impact.