Pachylemur

Taxobox
status = pre
name = "Pachylemur"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Primates
familia = Lemuridae
genus = †"Pachylemur"
genus_authority = Lamberton, 1948cite book | author = Nowak, R. M. (editor) | publisher = Johns Hopkins University Press | title = Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th edition | year = 1999 | id = ISBN 0801857899 | pages = p.517]
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = †"Pachylemur insignis" †"Pachylemur jullyi"

"Pachylemur" is an extinct genus of lemur most closely related to the ruffed lemurs (genus "Varecia"). Its two representative species, "Pachylemur insignis" and "Pachylemur jullyi", are only known from subfossil remains found at sites in central and southwestern Madagascar. It may have survived in the extreme south of Madagascar until as recently as 1280-1420 CE.cite book | author = Mittermeier, Russell A., et al. | title = Lemurs of Madagascar | edition = 2nd Edition | pages = 43 | publisher = Conservation International | year = 2006 | isbn=1-881173-88-7]

With a more robust postcranial skeleton than "Varecia", "Pachylemur" was initially thought to be more terrestrial, and thus more vulnerable to human predation than its arboreal cousins. However, more recent studies have suggested a largely arboreal lifestyle, as well as some suspensory behavior.

Microwear and tooth morphology studies have also suggested a mixed diet dominated by fruit, also similar to that of "Varecia". However, the skull of "Pachylemur" is broader, with larger jaws and teeth relative to "Varecia", possibly indicating a more fibrous diet.

References