Pachylemur

Skull of Pachylemur insignis

Pachylemur is an extinct primate species from the family of ordinary Makis ( Lemuridae ) that lived on the island of Madagascar until at least 1000 years.

The skeleton of Pachylemur is very similar to the Varis, and sometimes the animals in the same genus ( Varecia ) are classified. Her skull was somewhat larger ( approximately 11 to 13 inches long ) and made ​​wider, and the limbs were a little more robust, suggesting a more terrestrial lifestyle. Your weight is estimated at around 8 to 10 kilograms. The food is likely to have consisted of fruit and possibly also of harder plant material.

The fossils of two species Pachylemur jullyi insignis and Pachylemur, have been found in northern, central and south-eastern Madagascar; these are dated to 1000-2000 years. When the species extinct, is not precisely known, it is thought that they could have survived until 500 years ago.

The reasons for the extinction are likely to be in the hunting. Madagascar was first settled around 1500 years ago by people, and as a result, a number of animals, including many species of primates, disappeared, especially the larger species. Pachylemur one of the smallest extinct Malagasy primates, some of which ground-dwelling habits of these animals may have favored these operations.