Bugtilemur
| Bugtilemur mathesoni |
|
|---|---|
Scientific classification  |
|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Synapsida |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Primates |
| Suborder: | Strepsirrhini |
| Infraorder: | †Adapiformes |
| Family: | incertae sedis |
| Genus: | †Bugtilemur Marivaux et al., 2001 |
| Species: |
†B. mathesoni
|
| Binomial name | |
| Bugtilemur mathesoni Marivaux et al., 2001
|
|
Bugtilemur is an extinct genus of Strepsirhine primate tentatively placed within family Cheirogaleidae, which includes the dwarf and mouse lemurs of Madagascar. It is represented by only one species, B. mathesoni, which was found in the Chitarwata Formation of Pakistan.[1] If this classification is correct, Bugtilemur would be the oldest lemur fossil and the only lemuriform primate, extinct or extant, that has been found outside of Madagascar, significantly complicating the evolution and diversification of lemurs.[2]
Described from a few teeth, the specimen possesses a lower canine that, according to Marivaux et al., confirms the presence of the strepsirrhine-specific toothcomb. Furthermore, on the basis of cheektooth morphology, the molars share strong affinities with those of the genus Cheirogaleus (dwarf lemurs).[3] However, Bugtilemur appears to be much smaller than the extant Malagasy genus and its toothcomb was shorter and broader.[4] More recently, the structure and general presence of the toothcomb in Bugtilemur has been questioned, as well as many other dental features, suggesting that it is most likely an adapiform.[5]
See also
References
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