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Indri indri (Indri)
From Citizendium, the Citizens' Compendium
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 A Indri, (Indri indri).
Photo: Lee R. Berger | ||||||||||||||
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| 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.
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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.
Photo: Lee R. Berger
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
- ↑ 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)
- ↑ J. Fleagle (1998). Primate Adaptation and Evolution. Academic Press: New York.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 F. Szalay and E. Delson (2001). Evolutionary History of the Primates. Academic Press, New York.
- ↑ 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.
