The weasel sportive lemur (Lepilemur mustelinus), also known as the greater sportive lemur, weasel lemur, or greater weasel lemur, is a species of lemur native to northeastern Madagascar. Its habitat includes rainforests and tropical rainforests. Its dorsal side is a reddish-brown colour, and greyish brown ventrally. Its colour darkens towards the tip of its tail. Individuals weigh from 0.8 to 1.2 kg (1.8 to 2.6 lb) It has long, soft fur. Its body length is approximately 22–30 cm (8.7–11.8 in) and a tail length of 23–27 cm (9.1–10.6 in).[4]
| Weasel sportive lemur | |
|---|---|
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| Illustration published in 1868 | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Primates |
| Suborder: | Strepsirrhini |
| Family: | Lepilemuridae |
| Genus: | Lepilemur |
| Species: | L. mustelinus
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| Binomial name | |
| Lepilemur mustelinus I. Geoffroy, 1851[3]
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| Distribution of L. mustelinus | |
| Synonyms | |
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The weasel sportive lemur is predominantly a leaf-eater, although it supplements its diet with fruits and flowers. It is an arboreal species, and travels through the trees by leaping. As with other leaping primates, it has stereoscopic vision that enables it to determine distances precisely. Groups consist solely of a mother and its offspring; the males are solitary, and are very territorial. Each weasel sportive lemur occupies a territory of 1⁄2 to 1‑1⁄4 acres (1500–5000 m2). Like some other lemurs, they are nocturnal.[5]
References
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- ^ LaFleur, M. (2020). "Lepilemur mustelinus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T11620A115566646. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T11620A115566646.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "Lepilemur". CITES. Checklist of CITES species. UNEP-WCMC. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
- ^ Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 118–119. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ Ramaromilanto, B.; Lei, R.; Engberg, S.E.; Johnson, S.E.; Sitzmann, B.D.; Louis, E.E. Jr. (2009). "Sportive lemur diversity at Mananara-Nord Biosphere Reserve, Madagascar" (PDF). Occasional Papers. 286. Museum of Texas Tech University: 1–22. ISSN 0149-175X. OCLC 424383680.
- ^ "Lepilemur mustelinus". Animal Diversity Web (animaldiversity.org).