Daubentoniidae

views updated

Daubentoniidae(aye-ayes; suborder Strepsirrhini (or Prosimii), infra-order Lemuriformes (or Chiromyiformes) A family of nocturnal primates in which all the digits except the big toe have claws rather than nails, and in which the third digit of the hand is elongated. There is one pair of incisors, which are enlarged, chisel-like, reminiscent of rodent incisors, and used for gnawing. The ears are large and movable. Aye-ayes are found only in Madagascar. There is one genus (Daubentonia), with two species.