Indri indri (Indri)

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Indri
A Indri, (Indri indri).
A Indri, (Indri indri).
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Family: Indriidae
Genus: Indri
É. Geoffroy and
G. Cuvier, 1796
Species: I. indri
Binomial name
Indri indri
(Gmelin, 1788)

The indri Indri indri is the largest living lemur. In the wild, it is found only on the island of Madagascar.

Description

The indri is a diurnal primate that has a head body length of approximately 64 – 72 cm and a stubby vestigal tail [2][3][4]. Weight ranges between approximately 6kg up to almost 10kg [4]. Coat color varies from predominantly black contrasting with a white pygal patch and paler facial ring, to variegated black and white[4]. Males can be difficult to distinguish from females, but in the Analamazaortra Special Reserve males are slightly larger than females and there is slight dimorphism in color pattern[4].

Behaviour

The indri lives in small family groups[3]. Its movement is described as vertical climbing and leaping and it maintains a preferential upright body posture[4]. The indri has a loud vocalization which has been described as an “eerie wailing song” [4]which can be reminiscent of the singing of some whale species.

A indri climbing between trees. Note the stub of a tail. The indri is the only "tailess" lemur [4].

Diet

The indri is predominantly a folivore that eats mainly immature leaves, but it also feeds on seeds, fruits and flowers[3][4].

Geographical distribution

The indri may be found in tropical moist lowlands and montane forests of eastern Madagascar[4].


References

  1. Ganzhorn et al (2000). Indri indri. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Listed as Endangered (EN A1c+2c v2.3)
  2. J. Fleagle (1998). Primate Adaptation and Evolution. Academic Press: New York. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 F. Szalay and E. Delson (2001). Evolutionary History of the Primates. Academic Press, New York. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Mittermeier et al. (2006). Lemurs of Madagascar. Conservation International.