Afarensis is a 3.5-2.8 million year old hominin from the Kada Hadar member of the Hadar formation in the Middle Awash, Ethiopia. He is approximately 41 inches tall, weighs approximately 60 pounds and has a cranial capacity of a whopping 410 cc (approximately). Afarensis is currently considered to be transitional between apes and humans and displays some traits of both. Since he spends a lot of time on the couch watching monster movies, some observers question whether he is an obligate biped (although no one has observed him climbing a tree). He also has a blog called 
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An article in BMC Evolutionary Biology is reporting on three new species of lemur.
The picture above is of Lepilemur ruficadatus.
The paper specifically looks at the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Lepilemur (Sportive lemurs):
In order to establish their evolutionary relationships, a comparative cytogenetic and molecular study was performed. We sequenced the complete mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (1140bp) from 68 individuals representing all eight sportive lemur species and most major populations, and compared the results with those obtained from cytogenetic studies derived from 99 specimens.
One of the more interesting things mentioned in the paper was the number of chromosome rearrangements between species. Over all the diploid number for the genus ranges from 20-38 with 1-19 chromosomal rearrangements detected between species. Although there were no chromosomal differences detected between three populations of L. ruficaudatus molecular data suggests a high degree of genetic differences between the three populations. Leading the authors to suggest that they represent three distinct species.
The above is a picture of Lepilemur dorsalis. The paper also found differences between populations of L. dorsalis and suggested they represent two disticnt species.
You can find pictures, cladograms and additional info at the above link...
Comments
Is this too simpleminded?
The structure of scientific knowledge:
1. FACTS:experimental observations that can be repeated endlessly.
2. LAWS: summaries of facts e.g. Boyle's law etc.
3. Theories: attempts to explain FACTS and LAWS. We should not become wed to theories, remember phlogiston. I believe the supreme court "snookered" science when they equated theories as the essence of science! Use theories as long as they are useful.
Posted by: Horace Burrington | February 27, 2006 11:48 AM
What are you talking about? How is it relevant to speciation in lemurs?
Posted by: afarensis | February 27, 2006 12:26 PM
the second picture of the lemur looks like it's pregnet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: billy bob the blunt smoker | March 6, 2006 8:59 AM