The sources discuss the intriguing relationship between red-fronted lemurs and millipedes, highlighting the lemurs’ use of millipede secretions as a potential mosquito repellent and self-medication method.

  • Red-fronted lemurs, found in Madagascar, engage in a behaviour known as self-anointing, where they rub foreign substances on their bodies.
  • Researchers observed these lemurs chewing on a specific type of millipede, creating a mixture of saliva and millipede secretions that they then apply to their fur.
  • This behaviour is believed to serve several purposes, including repelling insects and treating or preventing parasitic infections.

Millipedes as a Source of Protection:

  • Millipedes secrete a variety of chemicals, including benzoquinone, as a defence mechanism against predators.
  • Benzoquinone is known to repel mosquitoes, and the lemurs may be utilising this property to protect themselves from mosquito bites and the diseases they transmit.
  • This is particularly important in a region like Madagascar where mosquito-borne illnesses, such as malaria, are prevalent.

Self-Medication and Parasite Control:

  • Researchers suggest that the lemurs also consume the chewed millipedes, potentially as a form of self-medication.
  • The millipede secretions may help to cleanse the lemurs’ digestive systems of parasites, particularly nematodes that cause skin irritation and itching.
  • The presence of bald patches, known as “sit spots,” on some lemurs further supports this theory, as these spots are likely caused by repeated rubbing in response to parasite-induced itching.

Further Research:

  • Researchers propose further investigation to compare primate species that practice self-anointing with and without consuming the millipede secretions.
  • This comparative study could provide insights into the specific benefits of ingestion and its potential link to parasite exposure.

The sources suggest that red-fronted lemurs have evolved a clever strategy for utilising millipede secretions as both a mosquito repellent and a potential treatment for parasitic infections. This fascinating behaviour highlights the resourcefulness of these primates and the complex relationship between animals and their environment.

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