Instrumental problem-solving abilities in three lemur species (Microcebus murinus, Varecia variegata, and Lemur catta).

2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (3) ◽  
pp. 306-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klara Kittler ◽  
Peter M. Kappeler ◽  
Claudia Fichtel
Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2811
Author(s):  
Juan Francisco Pastor ◽  
Magdalena Natalia Muchlinski ◽  
Josep Maria Potau ◽  
Aroa Casado ◽  
Yolanda García-Mesa ◽  
...  

The mobility of the primate tongue allows for the manipulation of food, but, in addition, houses both general sensory afferents and special sensory end organs. Taste buds can be found across the tongue, but the ones found within the fungiform papillae on the anterior two thirds of the tongue are the first gustatory structures to come into contact with food, and are critical in making food ingestion decisions. Comparative studies of both the macro and micro anatomy in primates are sparse and incomplete, yet there is evidence that gustatory adaptation exists in several primate taxa. One is the distally feathered tongues observed in non-destructive nectar feeders, such as Eulemur rubriventer. We compare both the macro and micro anatomy of three lemurid species who died of natural causes in captivity. We included the following two non-destructive nectar feeders: Varecia variegata and Eulemur macaco, and the following destructive flower feeder: Lemur catta. Strepsirrhines and tarsiers are unique among primates, because they possess a sublingua, which is an anatomical structure that is located below the tongue. We include a microanatomical description of both the tongue and sublingua, which were accomplished using hematoxylin–eosin and Masson trichrome stains, and scanning electron microscopy. We found differences in the size, shape, and distribution of fungiform papillae, and differences in the morphology of conical papillae surrounding the circumvallate ones in all three species. Most notably, large distinct papillae were present at the tip of the tongue in nectar-feeding species. In addition, histological images of the ventro-apical portion of the tongue displayed that it houses an encapsulated structure, but only in Lemur catta case such structure presents cartilage inside. The presence of an encapsulated structure, coupled with the shared morphological traits associated with the sublingua and the tongue tip in Varecia variegata and Eulemur macaco, point to possible feeding adaptations that facilitate non-destructive flower feeding in these two lemurids.


2017 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. e22648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Bray ◽  
David R. Samson ◽  
Charles L. Nunn

Oryx ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawn M. Lehman ◽  
Jonah Ratsimbazafy ◽  
Andry Rajaonson ◽  
Sabine Day

This paper describes the results of field surveys for two Endangered lemurs, Milne-Edward's sifaka Propithecus diadema edwardsi and the black and white ruffed lemur Varecia variegata variegata, in the unprotected Fandriana-Marolambo forest corridor in south-east Madagascar. Published range maps show P. d. edwardsi and V. v. variegata present in the corridor, although few surveys have been conducted in this area. A total of 292.9 km of surveys were conducted at eight sites in the corridor but P. d. edwardsi and V. v. variegata were each located at only one site. Absence of these species at other sites may be the combined result of altitudinal and anthropogenic effects. Conservation plans for P. d. edwardsi and V. v. variegata are complicated because gaps in forest cover prevent dispersal of conspecifics from nearby protected areas. Conservation authorities should be cautious in using range maps based on the presumed distribution of lemur species.


2015 ◽  
Vol 114 (3) ◽  
pp. 941-954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ute Radespiel ◽  
K. Schaber ◽  
S. E. Kessler ◽  
F. Schaarschmidt ◽  
C. Strube

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document