Indri Brevicaudatus, also known as the short-tailed indri, is a species of lemur found in Madagascar. The word "indri" is pronounced /ˈɪndri/ with stress on the first syllable, and "brevicaudatus" is pronounced /brɛvɪˈkɔːdətəs/ with stress on the second syllable. The spelling and pronunciation of this word can be traced back to its Latin origins. "Indri" is derived from the Malagasy word "indry," meaning "look here," while "brevicaudatus" means "short-tailed" in Latin. The spelling of this word reflects the scientific and taxonomic conventions used in biology.
Indri brevicaudatus, commonly known as the indri, is a large and distinctive primate species native to the island of Madagascar. This unique creature belongs to the lemur family, Indridae, and is considered one of the largest living lemurs. The indri has a robust and compact body structure, with a head-to-body length ranging from 64 to 72 centimeters and a tail measuring only 5 to 6 centimeters in length, hence the species name "brevicaudatus," meaning short-tailed.
Renowned for its beautiful black and white fur, the indri possesses a striking appearance. Its coat is thick and consists of soft, coarse fur, which helps to protect it from the tropical climate of Madagascar. The indri's large, round head features forward-facing eyes and special adaptations for excellent binocular vision, allowing for greater depth perception in its arboreal habitat.
The indri is an arboreal species, meaning it primarily lives and moves through the trees. It is specially adapted for an entirely arboreal lifestyle, possessing long, nimble limbs and strong grasping hands and feet with opposable thumbs and big toes. These adaptations enable the indri to skillfully leap and navigate through the forest canopy with ease.
Known for its extraordinary vocalizations, the indri has a communicative repertoire that includes complex and melodic songs known as "singing." These vocalizations serve to maintain territory, establish group cohesion, and communicate with other members of the species. This unique form of communication is considered one of the most impressive displays of vocalization among primates.
Due to habitat destruction and deforestation, the indri brevicaudatus is classified as a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN
The word Indri brévicaudatus is derived from a combination of Latin and Greek terminology.
1. Indri comes from the Malagasy language, which is spoken in Madagascar, where this species of lemur is native. It is the term used by the Malagasy people to refer to the indri lemur.
2. Brevicaudatus is a Latin term. Brevi means short, and caudatus means tail. Thus, brevicaudatus translates to short-tailed in English.
Therefore, Indri brevicaudatus can be translated as the short-tailed indri.