ABSTRACT
This chapter explores two lemuriform families that have adapted to life in the sun, at least part of the time: lemurids and indriids. The study of lemurids family introduced primatology to cathemerality. With the elevation of several subspecies, Eulemur still contains about 12 species. Molecular phylogenetic studies seem to have resolved issues of genus relationships within the family Lemuridae: Eulemur is monophyletic; Lemur and Hapalemur form a clade that is fairly closely related to Eulemur; and Varecia is basal to the family. Hapalemur includes the smallest of the lemurids. Sexual dichromatism is ubiquitous in Eulemur. This means that there are consistent differences between the sexes with regard to color. The genus Lemur contains a single living species, Lemur catta. Ringtails are mostly diurnal and the most terrestrial of the lemuriforms. ringtails spend some time in all strata of the forest. They are opportunistic omnivores, which means that they eat most of the digestible foods that the forest offers.
