Palaeopropithecus

Palaeopropithecus is a recently extinct genus of large sloth lemurs from Madagascar related to living lemur species found there today. Three species are known, Palaeopropithecus ingens, P. maximus, and P. kelyus. Radiocarbon dates indicate that they may have survived until around 1300–1620 CE. Malagasy legends of the tretretretre or tratratratra are thought to refer to P. ingens.

Palaeopropithecus
Temporal range:
Front view of P. maximus skull

Extinct (1620)  (IUCN 3.1) (P. ingens)
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Strepsirrhini
Family: Palaeopropithecidae
Genus: Palaeopropithecus
G. Grandider, 1899
Species
Subfossil sites for Palaeopropithecus
red=P. kelyus; green=P. ingens;
blue=P. maximus

Evidence suggests a solely arboreal lifestyle with frequent upside down suspension, hence the name sloth lemur.

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