A tamarind is a large tropical tree, native to Africa but also very
well established in India and Central America. The tree encloses its
seeds in long brown pods along with a juicy pulp. This pulp has a pleasant
taste reminiscent of apple butter if apple butter were also quite sour. People
use it in tangy sauces for meat, including vindaloo, and also mix it with
sugar water for a refreshing drink in the tropics.
But what does this have to do with prosimians? Tamarind trees were
introduced to Madagascar soon after human colonization of the island. They
hold their own in the dry spiny forests, but they are truly abundant along
the banks of rivers. The trees are a favorite hangout for lemurs, and
also a preferred food source. Tamarind pods are staples for many species
of lemurs, especially L. catta and L. fulvus.
See, I told you.
Anyway, I thought that calling this webpage the Virtual Tamarind Tree would
make the prosimians occupying it feel at home, and perhaps also attract more
prosimians to live here. So far it seems to be working!