Megaladapis

From Freepedia

Megaladapis
Conservation status: Extinct (c.1500)

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Primates
Suborder:	Strepsirrhini
Family:	Lepilemuridae
Genus:	Megaladapis (extinct)

Paleospecies

Megaladapis edwardsi
Megaladapis madagascariensis
Megaladapis grandidieri

Megaladapis is the genus of three extinct species of primates that once inhabited the island of Madagascar.

The closest living relatives of this primate are the sportive lemurs (genus Lepilemur), and together the two genera make up the Lepilemuridae family. However, Megaladapis was far different from any lemur. Its body was squat and built like that of the modern koala. Its long arms and fingers were specialized for grasping trees, while its legs were splayed for vertical climbling.

Additionally, its head was unlike any other primate. Megaladapis had long canine teeth and a cow-like jaw. Its jaw muscles were powerful for chewing through the tough native vegetation. Overall, its body weight reached 50 kilograms.

Unfortunately, its tree-grasping attributes made Megaladapis vulnerable to changes to the forests of Madagascar. Upon human arrival 2,000 years ago, the forests of Madagascar were cleared to make farmland. Megaladapis, unable to adapt to these new environmental changes imposed by man, faced extinction approximately 500 years ago.