Lemurs keep evolving new species, even after 50 million years

'Something special is happening on Madagascar.' Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Lemurs first arrived on the island of Madagascar 53.2 million years ago, probably hitching a ride on a vegetation raft from mainland Africa. The island was predator free, and the lemurs evolved into an abundance of species to thrive in its various habitats--an expansion that hasn't stopped since. Scientists typically expect such rapid species growth to eventually slow down. However, in a study recently published in the journal a team of researchers presents evidence that lemurs defy this evolutionary principle.