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83-475: In 1904, the city received 50 acres (20 ha) of land from William and Anna Vilas under the conditions that it be used "for the uses and purposes of a public park and pleasure ground". The park was named in honor of the Vilases' son, Henry, who died in 1899 at the age of 27 from complications related to diabetes . The family stipulated that the park always be admission-free. By 1911, 28 acres (11 ha) of

166-399: A matriline as the core group. As with most lemurs, females socially dominate males in all circumstances, including feeding priority. Dominance is enforced by lunging, chasing, cuffing, grabbing and biting. Young females do not always inherit their mother's rank and young males leave the troop between three and five years of age. Both sexes have separate dominance hierarchies; females have

249-409: A tapetum lucidum , or reflective layer behind the retina of the eye, that enhances night vision . The tapetum is highly visible in this species because the pigmentation of the ocular fundus (back surface of the eye), which is present in—but varies between—all lemurs, is very spotty. The ring-tailed lemur also has a rudimentary foveal depression on the retina. Another shared characteristic with

332-474: A "sun-worshipping" posture or lotus position . However, it sits with its legs extended outward, not cross-legged, and will often support itself on nearby branches. Sunning is often a group activity, particularly during the cold mornings. At night, troops will split into sleeping parties huddling closely together to keep warm. Despite being quadrupedal the ring-tailed lemur can rear up and balance on its hind legs, usually for aggressive displays. When threatened,

415-509: A distinct hierarchy while male rank is correlated with age. Each troop has one to three central, high-ranking adult males who interact with females more than other group males and lead the troop procession with high-ranking females. Recently transferred males, old males or young adult males that have not yet left their natal group are often lower ranking. Staying at the periphery of the group they tend to be marginalized from group activity. For males, social structure changes can be seasonal. During

498-436: A foul-smelling, brown, sticky substance. The brachial gland is barely developed if present at all in females. Both sexes also have apocrine and sebaceous glands in their genital or perianal regions, which are covered in fur. Its fingers are slender, padded, mostly lacking webbing, and semi-dexterous with flat, human-like nails . The thumb is both short and widely separated from the other fingers. Despite being set at

581-798: A member of the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1885, until he was appointed the Postmaster General between 1885 and 1888, and as Secretary of the Interior from 1888 to 1889, both under President Grover Cleveland . After leaving the cabinet , he led Wisconsin German Americans in the protest against the Bennett Law of 1889 which required schools to only use the English language . From 1891 until 1897, he

664-541: A part of the Henry Vilas Zoo . Ring-tailed lemur Genus: Species: The ring-tailed lemur ( Lemur catta ) is a medium- to larger-sized strepsirrhine (wet-nosed) primate and the most internationally recognized lemur species, owing to its long, black-and-white, ringed tail. It belongs to Lemuridae , one of five lemur families, and is the only member of the Lemur genus . Like all lemurs, it

747-426: A right angle to the palm, the thumb is not opposable since the ball of the joint is fixed in place. As with all strepsirrhines, the hand is ectaxonic (the axis passes through the fourth digit) rather than mesaxonic (the axis passing through the third digit) as seen in monkeys and apes. The fourth digit is the longest, and only slightly longer than the second digit. Likewise, the fifth digit is only slightly longer than

830-430: A slender frame and narrow face, fox-like muzzle. The ring-tailed lemur's trademark—a long, bushy tail—is ringed in alternating black and white transverse bands, numbering 12 or 13 white rings and 13 or 14 black rings and always ending in a black tip. The total number of rings nearly matches the approximate number of caudal vertebrae (~25). Its tail is longer than its body and is not prehensile . Instead, it

913-687: A woman was kicked in the face by a giraffe after climbing into the enclosure The zoo houses amphibians, birds, fish, insects, mammals, and reptiles from several continents. Opened in 2015, the Arctic Passage features large, natural habitats for polar bears , grizzly bears and harbour seals . The polar bear and harbour seal exhibits have underwater viewing and there is a stream for the grizzly bears. The exhibit includes several sustainability features like solar panels, rainwater harvesting and an underground storage unit that saves over 2 million gallons of water. The George Fait North American Prairie

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996-469: Is 2.1.3 2.1.3  × 2 = 24 . The permanent teeth erupt in the following order: m 1/1 (first molars), i 2/2 (first incisors), i 3/3 (second incisors), C1 (upper canines), m 2/2 (second molars), c1 (lower canines), m 3/3 (third molars), p 4/4 (third premolars), p 3/3 (second premolars), p 2/2 (first premolars). Its lower incisors (i1 and i2) are long, narrow, and finely spaced while pointing almost straight forward in

1079-448: Is a difference between regular urination, where the tail is slightly raised and a stream of urine is produced, and the urine-marking behavior, where the tail is held up in display and only a few drops of urine are used. The urine-marking behavior is typically used by females to mark territory, and has been observed primarily at the edges of the troop's territory and in areas where other troops may frequent. The urine marking behavior also

1162-513: Is a large yard home to the zoo's American bison . This area was also once home to prairie dogs , but then bad weather killed all of them. The Wisconsin Heritage Trail opened in 2016 and highlights Wisconsin's rich mining history. It has enclosures for American badgers and rescued sandhill cranes . A $ 4.2 million dollar aviary opened in 2000. Outside the aviary are enclosures for capybaras and North American river otters . The aviary

1245-510: Is a relatively large lemur. Its average weight is 2.2 kilograms (4.9 lb). Its head–body length ranges between 39 and 46 cm (15 and 18 in), its tail length is 56 and 63 cm (22 and 25 in), and its total length is 95 and 110 cm (37 and 43 in). Other measurements include a hind foot length of 102 and 113 mm (4.0 and 4.4 in), ear length of 40 and 48 mm (1.6 and 1.9 in), and cranium length of 78 and 88 mm (3.1 and 3.5 in). The species has

1328-405: Is a small diastema between the upper canine and the first premolar (P2), which is smaller and more caniniform than the other premolars. Unlike other lemurs, the first two upper molars (M1 and M2) have prominent lingual cingulae, yet do not have a protostyle. The ring-tailed lemur is diurnal and semi-terrestrial. It is the most terrestrial of lemur species, spending as much as 33% of its time on

1411-840: Is also a koi pond, a train and a carousel. The Herpetarium is home to the zoo's reptiles and amphibians. Aldabra giant tortoises and American alligators have outdoor exhibits. Some of the collection include green anaconda , massasauga , alligator snapping turtle , Gila monster , Standing's day geckos , leopard geckos , desert tortoises , dyeing poison dart frogs , Golfodulcean poison frogs , green and black poison dart frogs , strawberry poison-dart frogs , yellow-banded poison dart frogs and red-eyed tree frogs . The Discovery Center allows hands-on interactions with animals. It houses giant African millipedes , lemur leaf frogs , Madagascar hissing cockroaches and Seba's short-tailed bats . William Freeman Vilas William Freeman Vilas (July 9, 1840 – August 27, 1908)

1494-457: Is also a female-dominant species, a commonality among lemurs. To keep warm and reaffirm social bonds, groups will huddle together. Mutual grooming is another vital aspect of lemur socialization (as with all primates), reaffirming social and familial connections, while also helping rid each other of any potential insects. Ring-tailed lemurs are strictly diurnal , being active exclusively during daylight hours. Due to this lifestyle, they also sunbathe;

1577-695: Is an enclosure for Indian crested porcupines . Opened in 1995, the Primate House houses three species of primates, Bornean orangutans , black-and-white ruffed lemurs and ring-tailed lemurs . These yards are home to the zoo's larger hoofstock, Bactrian camels , Somali wild ass and white rhinoceros . The Children's Zoo features the sustainably designed Red Barn, which houses their goats , which can be hand fed. It also features exhibits for red pandas , white-handed gibbons , Indian crested porcupines , meerkats , aardvarks , red-footed tortoises , American flamingos and Chilean flamingos . There

1660-599: Is endemic to the island of Madagascar , where it is endangered . Known locally in Malagasy as maky ( [makʲ] , spelled maki in French ) or hira , it ranges from gallery forests to spiny scrub in the southern regions of the island. It is omnivorous , as well as the most adapted to living terrestrially of the extant lemurs. The ring-tailed lemur is highly social, living in groups—known as "troops"—of up to 30 individuals. It

1743-473: Is hardly observable). The X chromosome is metacentric and the Y chromosome is acrocentric. Linnaeus first used the genus name Lemur to describe " Lemur tardigradus " (the red slender loris , now known as Loris tardigradus ) in his 1754 catalog of the Museum of King Adolf Frederick . In 1758, his 10th edition of Systema Naturae listed the genus Lemur with three included species, only one of which

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1826-454: Is home to many tropical birds like blue-and-yellow macaws , blue-crowned motmots , laughing kookaburra , white-cheeked turaco and sunbittern as well as Geoffroy's marmoset , red-rumped agouti and fish like red-bellied piranhas and ocellate river stingrays . The zoo houses African lions and Amur tigers in enclosures simulating their natural habitats in the wild with features like heated rocks to keep them warm during winter. Nearby

1909-679: Is interred at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison, Wisconsin . Vilas County, Wisconsin , is named for William F. Vilas. Senator Vilas is also the namesake of the towns of Vilas, Colorado and Vilas, South Dakota . His childhood home in Madison is located in what is now the Langdon Street Historic District . His family donated land to the city of Madison to build a public park, which later became

1992-426: Is kept clean using a sublingual organ—a thin, flat, fibrous plate that covers a large part of the base of the tongue. The first lower premolar (p2) following the toothcomb is shaped like a canine (caniniform) and occludes the upper canine, essentially filling the role of the incisiform lower canine. There is also a diastema (gap) between the second and third premolars (p2 and p3). The upper incisors are small, with

2075-465: Is most frequent during the mating season, and may play a role in reproductive communication between groups. The ring-tailed lemur is one of the most vocal primates and has a complex array of distinct vocalizations used to maintain group cohesion during foraging and alert group members to the presence of a predator. Calls range from simple to complex. An example of a simple call is the purr ( listen ), which expresses contentment. A complex call

2158-405: Is only used for balance, communication, and group cohesion. The pelage (fur) is so dense that it can clog electric clippers. The ventral (chest) coat and throat are white or cream. The dorsal (back) coat varies from gray to rosy-brown, sometimes with a brown pygal patch around the tail region, where the fur grades to pale gray or grayish brown. The dorsal coloration is slightly darker around

2241-444: Is similar to that of the domestic cat . Following Linnaeus's species description , the common name "ring-tailed maucauco" was first penned in 1771 by Welsh naturalist Thomas Pennant , who noted its characteristic long, banded tail. (The term "maucauco" was a very common term for lemurs at this time.) The now universal English name "ring-tailed lemur" was first used by George Shaw in his illustrated scientific publication covering

2324-475: Is still considered to be a lemur while another is no longer considered to be a primate. These species include: Lemur tardigradus , Lemur catta (the ring-tailed lemur), and Lemur volans (the Philippine colugo , now known as Cynocephalus volans ). In 1911, Oldfield Thomas made Lemur catta the type species for the genus, despite the term initially being used to describe lorises . On January 10, 1929,

2407-418: Is the dominant female's responsibility to defend the troop's home range. Agonistic encounters include staring, lunging approaches and occasional physical aggression, and conclude with troop members retreating toward the center of the home range. Olfactory communication is critically important for strepsirrhines like the ring-tailed lemur. Males and females scent mark both vertical and horizontal surfaces at

2490-422: Is thought that a very small ancestral population came to Madagascar via a single rafting event between 50 and 80 million years ago. Subsequent evolutionary radiation and speciation has created the diversity of Malagasy lemurs seen today. According to analysis of amino acid sequences , the branching of the family Lemuridae has been dated to 26.1 ±3.3  mya while rRNA sequences of mtDNA place

2573-459: Is thought to share closer affinities to the bamboo lemurs of the genus Hapalemur than to the other two genera in its family. This has been supported by comparisons in communication, chromosomes , genetics, and several morphological traits, such as scent gland similarities. However, other data concerning immunology and other morphological traits fail to support this close relationship. For example, Hapalemur species have short snouts, while

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2656-415: Is unreachable by the mouth. The toilet-claw is a trait shared among nearly all living strepsirrhine primates. Unlike other lemurs, the ring-tailed lemur's heel is not covered by fur. The ring-tailed lemur has a dentition of 2.1.3.3 2.1.3.3  × 2 = 36 , meaning that on each side of the jaw it has two incisors , one canine tooth , three premolars , and three molar teeth . Its deciduous dentition

2739-619: The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) formalized this decision in its publication of Opinion 122. The ring-tailed lemur shares many similarities with ruffed lemurs (genus Varecia ) and true lemurs (genus Eulemur ), and its skeleton is nearly indistinguishable from that of the true lemurs. Consequently, the three genera were once grouped together in the genus Lemur and more recently are sometimes referred to as subfamily Lemurinae (within family Lemuridae). However, ruffed lemurs were reassigned to

2822-477: The Lemuria festival of ancient Rome. According to Carl Linnaeus 's own explanation, the name was selected because of the nocturnal activity and slow movements of the slender loris. Being familiar with the works of Virgil and Ovid and seeing an analogy that fit with his naming scheme, Linnaeus adapted the term "lemur" for these nocturnal primates. However, it has been commonly and falsely assumed that Linnaeus

2905-553: The Leverian collection , which was published between 1792 and 1796. All mammalian fossils from Madagascar come from recent times. Thus, little is known about the evolution of the ring-tailed lemur, let alone the rest of the lemur clade , which comprises the entire endemic primate population of the island. However, chromosomal and molecular evidence suggest that lemurs are more closely related to each other than to other strepsirrhine primates. For this to have happened, it

2988-827: The University of Wisconsin in 1858, and from the Albany Law School in 1860. He enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War and was a captain in the 23rd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment and later served as the lieutenant colonel of that regiment . Following the war, Vilas was a Professor of Law at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and a regent of the University from 1880 to 1885 and 1898 to 1905. Vilas served as

3071-941: The fossa ( Cryptoprocta ferox ), the Madagascar harrier-hawk ( Polyboroides radiatus ), the Madagascar buzzard ( Buteo brachypterus ) and the Madagascar ground boa ( Acrantophis madagascariensis ). Introduced predators include the small Indian civet ( Viverricula indica ), the domestic cat and the domestic dog . Endemic to southern and southwestern Madagascar , the ring-tailed lemur ranges further into highland areas than other lemurs. It inhabits deciduous forests , dry scrub , montane humid forests , and gallery forests (forests along riverbanks). It strongly favors gallery forests, but such forests have now been cleared from much of Madagascar in order to create pasture for livestock. Depending on location, temperatures within its geographic range can vary from −12 °C (10 °F) at Andringitra Massif to 48 °C (118 °F) in

3154-455: The labia . The opening of the urethra is closer to the clitoris than the vagina , forming a "drip tip". Females have two pairs of mammary glands (four nipples), but only one pair is functional. The anterior pair (closest to the head) are very close to the axillae (armpit). Furless scent glands are present on both males and females. Both sexes have small, dark antebrachial (forearm) glands measuring 1 cm long and located on

3237-424: The accumulation of secretions from an underlying gland that may connect through the skin through as many as a thousand minuscule ducts . The males also have brachial (arm) glands on the axillary surface of their shoulders (near the armpit). The brachial gland is larger than the antebrachial gland, covered in short hair around the periphery, and has a naked crescent-shaped orifice near the center. The gland secretes

3320-583: The adjacent University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum . The Henry Vilas Zoo is one of ten remaining free zoos in North America. As an accredited AZA (Association of Zoos & Aquariums) zoo, their mission is to conserve and protect the wonders of the natural living world. In 2022, after the two only black zookeepers at the Zoo resigned in part due to perceived poor management, racism, and retaliation from management, Dane County started an investigation into

3403-471: The antebrachial gland on each wrist is scraped against tree trunks to create grooves anointed with their scent. This is known as spur-marking . In displays of aggression, males engage in a social display behaviour called stink fighting , which involves impregnating their tails with secretions from the antebrachial and brachial glands and waving the scented tail at male rivals. Ring-tailed lemurs have also been shown to mark using urine . Behaviorally, there

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3486-399: The anus. The males perform a unique scent-marking behavior called spur-marking and will participate in stink fights by dousing their tails with their pheromones and “wafting” them at opponents. Additionally, lemurs of both sexes will scent-mark trees, logs, rocks or other objects by simply rubbing their faces and bodies onto it, not unlike a domestic cat. As one of the most vocal primates,

3569-416: The critically endangered southern black-and-white ruffed lemur ( Varecia variegata editorum ), which was once found at Andringitra National Park; however, no sightings of the ruffed lemur have been reported in recent years. In western Madagascar, sympatric ring-tailed lemurs and red-fronted lemurs ( Eulemur rufifrons ) have been studied together. Little interaction takes place between the two species. While

3652-423: The diets of the two species overlap, they eat in different proportions since the ring-tailed lemur has a more varied diet and spends more time on the ground. The ring-tailed lemur is an opportunistic omnivore primarily eating fruits and leaves, particularly those of the tamarind tree ( Tamarindus indica ), known natively as kily . When available, tamarind makes up as much as 50% of the diet, especially during

3735-411: The difficulty in discerning the relationships within family Lemuridae, not all authorities agree on the taxonomy, although the majority of the primatological community favors the current classification. Varecia (ruffed lemurs) Lemur (ring-tailed lemur) Hapalemur (lesser bamboo lemurs) Eulemur (true lemurs) In 1996, researchers Steven Goodman and Olivier Langrand suggested that

3818-515: The dry, winter season. The ring-tailed lemur eats from as many as three dozen different plant species, and its diet includes flowers, herbs, bark and sap. It has been observed eating decayed wood, earth , spider webs, insect cocoons, arthropods (spiders, caterpillars, cicadas and grasshoppers) and small vertebrates (birds and chameleons). During the dry season it becomes increasingly opportunistic. Ring-tailed lemurs live in groups known as "troops," which are classified as multi-male groups , with

3901-456: The evidence and came to a different conclusion, instead favoring to return the members of Eulemur and Varecia to the genus Lemur . However, this view was not widely accepted and the genus Lemur remained monotypic , containing only the ring-tailed lemur. Because the differences in molecular data are so minute between the ring-tailed lemur and both genera of bamboo lemurs, it has been suggested that all three genera be merged. Because of

3984-431: The first incisors (I1) space widely from each other, yet closely to the second incisors (I2). Both are compressed buccolingually (between the cheek and the tongue). The upper canines (C1) are long, have a broad base, and curve down and back (recurved). The upper canines exhibit slight sexual dimorphism , with males exhibiting slightly larger canines than females. Both sexes use them in combat by slashing with them. There

4067-430: The fur is white. It is exposed on the nose, palms, soles, eyelids, lips, and genitalia. The skin is smooth, but the leathery texture of the hands and feet facilitate terrestrial movement. The anus , located at the joint of the tail, is covered when the tail is lowered. The area around the anus (circumanal area) and the perineum are covered in fur. In males, the scrotum lacks fur, is covered in small, horny spines, and

4150-453: The genus Varecia in 1962, and due to similarities between the ring-tailed lemur and the bamboo lemurs, particularly in regards to molecular evidence and scent glands similarities, the true lemurs were moved to the genus Eulemur by Yves Rumpler and Elwyn L. Simons (1988) as well as Colin Groves and Robert H. Eaglen (1988). In 1991, Ian Tattersall and Jeffrey H. Schwartz reviewed

4233-555: The ground. However it is still considerably arboreal , spending 23% of its time in the mid-level canopy , 25% in the upper-level canopy, 6% in the emergent layer and 13% in small bushes. Troop travel is 70% terrestrial. Troop size, home range, and population density vary by region and food availability. Troops typically range in size from 6 to 25, although troops with over 30 individuals have been recorded. The average troop contains 13 to 15 individuals. Home range size varies between 6 and 35 hectares (15 and 86 acres). Troops of

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4316-519: The horizon on most days in Madagascar, in an effort to accommodate livestock and to cultivate larger fields of crops. Although the term "lemur" was first intended for slender lorises , it was soon limited to the endemic Malagasy primates, which have been known as "lemurs" ever since. The name derives from the Latin term lemures , which refers to specters or ghosts that were exorcised during

4399-479: The inner surface of the forearm nearly 25 cm (9.8 in) above the wrist joint. (This trait is shared between the Lemur and Hapalemur genera. ) The gland is soft and compressible, bears fine dermal ridges (like fingerprints ), and is connected to the palm by a fine, 2 mm–high, hairless strip. However, only the male has a horny spur that overlays this scent gland. The spur develops with age through

4482-416: The lemurs can be observed sitting upright on their tails, exposing their soft, white belly fur towards the sun. They will often also have their palms open and eyes gently closed. Like other lemurs, this species relies strongly on their sense of smell, and territorial marking , with scent glands, provides communication signals throughout a group's home range. The glands are located near the eyes, as well as near

4565-654: The most popular species of lemur in zoos worldwide, with more than 2,000 captive-raised individuals), the wild population of ring-tailed lemur is listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List , due to habitat destruction , local hunting for bushmeat and the exotic pet trade. As of early 2017, the population in the wild is believed to have crashed to as low as 2,000 individuals due to these reasons, making them far more critically endangered. Local Malagasy farmers and logging industries frequently make use of slash and burn deforestation techniques, with smoke being visible on

4648-475: The mouth (procumbent). Together with the incisor-shaped (incisiform) lower canines (c1), which are slightly larger and also procumbent, form a structure called a toothcomb , a trait unique to nearly all strepsirrhine primates. The toothcomb is used during oral grooming, which involves licking and tooth-scraping. It may also be used for grasping small fruits, removing leaves from the stem when eating, and possibly scraping sap and gum from tree bark. The toothcomb

4731-448: The neck and crown. The hair on the throat, cheeks, and ears is white or off-white and also less dense, allowing the dark skin underneath to show through. The muzzle is dark grayish and the nose is black, and the eyes are encompassed by black triangular patches. Facial vibrissae ( whiskers ) are developed and found above the lips (mystacal), on the cheeks (genal), and on the eyebrow (superciliary). Vibrissae are also found slightly above

4814-424: The normal range of variation for the species. The thicker coat was considered a local adaptation to extreme low temperatures in the region, and the fading of the fur was attributed to increased exposure to solar radiation . Additional genetic studies in 2000 further supported the conclusion that population did not vary significantly from the other ring-tailed lemur populations on the island. The ring-tailed lemur

4897-446: The other strepsirrhine primates is the rhinarium , a moist, naked, glandular nose supported by the upper jaw and protruding beyond the chin. The rhinarium continues down where it divides the upper lip. The upper lip is attached to the premaxilla , preventing the lip from protruding and thus requiring the lemur to lap water rather than using suction. The skin of the ring-tailed lemur is dark gray or black in color, even in places where

4980-433: The overlaps in their home ranges using their anogenital scent glands . The ring-tailed lemur will perform a handstand to mark vertical surfaces, grasping the highest point with its feet while it applies its scent. Use of scent marking varies by age, sex and social status. Male lemurs use their antebrachial and brachial glands to demarcate territories and maintain intragroup dominance hierarchies. The thorny spur that overlays

5063-519: The park were partitioned into an animal exhibit, marking the creation of the zoo. The Madison Zoological and Aquarium Society was founded in 1914, and in 1926 became the Henry Vilas Park Zoological Society, which continues today. In 1964, the society was incorporated as a non-profit corporation. For the hundredth anniversary of the zoo, the society operated a Zoo Century campaign to support a $ 27 million redevelopment of

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5146-624: The party's sacrificial lamb. Back in Wisconsin, he was from 1897 to 1903 a member of the commission that had charge of the erection of the State Historical Library at Madison, and from 1906 to 1908 of the commission for the construction of the new state capitol . He married Anna M. Fox, who had been born in the territory of Wisconsin. Their younger son died in early childhood and their elder daughter, Nellie, died in 1893. The surviving children were Henry and Mary Esther. He

5229-425: The practices of the zoo. The county found that the zoo created a toxic work environment, a lack of employees of color, inadequate welfare for animals, and management favoritism toward certain employees. The county then authorized an independent investigation. This investigation found no evidence of a hostile work environment nor discrimination, but some evidence of isolated past issues with animal treatment. In 2015,

5312-667: The rest of its range is very spotty, with population densities varying widely. The ring-tailed lemur can be easily seen in five national parks in Madagascar : Andohahela National Park , Andringitra National Park , Isalo National Park , Tsimanampetsotse National Park , and Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park . It can also be found in Beza-Mahafaly Special Reserve , Kalambatritra Special Reserve , Pic d'Ivohibe Special Reserve , Amboasary Sud , Berenty Private Reserve , Anja Community Reserve , and marginally at Kirindy Mitea National Park. Unprotected forests that

5395-419: The ring-tailed lemur and the rest of Lemuridae have long snouts. However, differences in the relationship between the orbit (eye socket) and the muzzle suggest that the ring-tailed lemur and the true lemurs evolved their elongated faces independently. The relationship between the ring-tailed lemur and bamboo lemurs is the least understood. Molecular analysis suggests that either the bamboo lemurs diverged from

5478-417: The ring-tailed lemur may demonstrate regional variations, particularly a high mountain population at Andringitra Massif that has a thicker coat, lighter coloration, and variations in its tail rings. In 2001, primatologist Colin Groves concluded that this does not represent a locally occurring subspecies . This decision was later supported by further fieldwork that showed that the differences fell within

5561-468: The ring-tailed lemur may jump in the air and strike out with its short nails and sharp upper canine teeth in a behavior termed jump fighting . This is extremely rare outside of the breeding season when tensions are high and competition for mates is intense. Other aggressive behaviors include a threat-stare , used to intimidate or start a fight, and a submissive gesture known as pulled-back lips . Border disputes with rival troops occur occasionally and it

5644-439: The ring-tailed lemur uses numerous vocalizations , including calling for group cohesion and predator alarm calls . Experiments have shown that the ring-tailed lemur, despite the lack of a large brain (relative to simiiform primates), can organize sequences, understand basic arithmetic operations , and preferentially select tools based on functional qualities. Despite adapting to and breeding easily under captive care (and being

5727-588: The ring-tailed lemur will maintain a territory, but overlap is often high. When encounters occur, they are agonistic , or hostile in nature. A troop will usually occupy the same part of its range for three or four days before moving. When it does move, the average traveling distance is 1 km (0.62 mi). Population density ranges from 100 individuals per 1 km (0.39 sq mi) in dry forests to 250–600 individuals per km in gallery and secondary forests. The ring-tailed lemur has both native and introduced predators. Native predators include

5810-468: The ring-tailed lemur, making the group monophyletic and supporting the current two-genera taxonomy, or that the ring-tailed lemur is nested in with the bamboo lemurs, requiring Hapalemur simus to be split off into its own genus, Prolemur . The karyotype of the ring-tailed lemur has 56 chromosomes, of which four are metacentric (arms of nearly equal length), four are submetacentric (arms of unequal length), and 46 are acrocentric (the short arm

5893-564: The school at his death in 1908. He is the namesake of Vilas Hall on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus, as well as Vilas County, Wisconsin , and the towns of Vilas, Colorado , and Vilas, South Dakota . Vilas was born in Chelsea, Vermont , the son of Esther Greene (Smilie) and Levi Baker Vilas , a politician. His grandfather was Nathan Smilie, a Democratic politician who ran for Governor of Vermont in 1839 . Vilas moved to Madison, Wisconsin with his family in 1851. He graduated from

5976-481: The second. The palms are long and leathery, and like other primates, they have dermal ridges to improve grip. The feet are semi- digitigrade and more specialized than the hands. The big toe is opposable and is smaller than the big toe of other lemurs, which are more arboreal . The second toe is short, has a small terminal pad, and has a toilet-claw (sometimes referred to as a grooming claw ) specialized for personal grooming , specifically to rake through fur that

6059-410: The six-month period between December and May a few males migrate between groups. Established males transfer on average every 3.5 years, although young males may transfer approximately every 1.4 years. Group fission occurs when groups get too large and resources become scarce. In the mornings the ring-tailed lemur sunbathes to warm itself. It faces the sun sitting in what is frequently described as

6142-421: The species has been reported in include Ankoba , Ankodida , Anjatsikolo , Anbatotsilongolongo , Mahazoarivo , Masiabiby , and Mikea . Within the protected regions it is known to inhabit, the ring-tailed lemur is sympatric (shares its range) with as many as 24 species of lemur , covering every living genus except Allocebus , Indri , and Varecia . Historically, the species used to be sympatric with

6225-844: The spiny forests of Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve . This species is found as far east as Tôlanaro , inland towards the mountains of Andringitra on the southeastern plateau, among the spiny forests of the southern part of the island, and north along the west coast to the town of Belo sur Mer . Historically, the northern limits of its range in the west extended to the Morondava River near Morondava . It can still be found in Kirindy Mitea National Park , just south of Morondava, though at very low densities. It does not occur in Kirindy Forest Reserve , north of Morondava. Its distribution throughout

6308-415: The split at 24.9 ±3.6 mya. The ruffed lemurs are the first genus to split away (most basal ) in the family, a view that is further supported by analysis of DNA sequences and karyotypes . Additionally, Molecular data suggests a deep genetic divergence and sister group relationship between the true lemurs ( Eulemur ) and the other two genera: Lemur and Hapalemur . The ring-tailed lemur

6391-421: The two sacs of the scrotum are divided. The penis is nearly cylindrical in shape and is covered in small spines , as well as having two pairs of larger spines on both sides. Males have a relatively small baculum (penis bone) compared to their size. The scrotum, penis, and prepuce are usually coated with a foul-smelling secretion. Females have a vulva with a thick, elongated clitoris that protrudes from

6474-399: The wrist on the underside of the forearm. The ears are relatively large compared to other lemurs and are covered in hair, which has only small tufts if any. Although slight pattern variations in the facial region may be seen between individuals, there are no obvious differences between the sexes. Unlike most diurnal primates, but like all strepsirrhine primates, the ring-tailed lemur has

6557-405: The zoo over the next 10 years. Plans call for a new Arctic Passage exhibit and a redesigned Children's Zoo. The Arctic Passage, which includes a major expansion that includes a new restaurant, and new enclosures for seals and returning grizzly and polar bears opened May 23, 2015. The zoo hosts an annual Zoo Run Run with a 5K-10K run/walk. The race starts and finishes in the zoo, and uses portions of

6640-664: Was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention of 1896 , but withdrew after the adoption of the free-silver plank. He then became one of the chief organizers of the National Democratic Party , attended the convention at Indianapolis, and was chairman of its committee on resolutions. He was also the main drafter of the National Democratic Party's platform. Vilas, a favorite of the delegates, refused to run as

6723-682: Was a member of the United States Senate, in which, during President Cleveland's second term, he was recognized as the chief defender of the Administration, and he was especially active in securing the repeal of the silver purchase clause of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act . He was unsuccessful in an 1896 reelection bid, having been defeated by Senator John Coit Spooner , who held the seat before him and whom Vilas had defeated for reelection in 1890. Vilas

6806-434: Was an American lawyer, politician, and United States Senator . In the U.S. Senate, he represented the state of Wisconsin for one term, from 1891 to 1897. As a prominent Bourbon Democrat , he was also a member of the cabinet of U.S. President Grover Cleveland , serving as the 33rd Postmaster General and the 17th Secretary of the Interior . He was a major donor to the University of Wisconsin , leaving $ 30,000,000 to

6889-440: Was referring to the ghost-like appearance, reflective eyes , and ghostly cries of lemurs. It has also been speculated that Linnaeus may also have known that some Malagasy people have held legends that lemurs are the souls of their ancestors, but this is unlikely given that the name was selected for slender lorises from India. The species name, catta , refers to the ring-tailed lemur's cat-like appearance. Its purring vocalization

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