Biology:Greater galago

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Short description: Genus of primates

Otolemur[1]
Greater Bush Baby.jpg
Brown greater galago
(O. crassicaudatus)
Scientific classification e
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Strepsirrhini
Family: Galagidae
Genus: Otolemur
Coquerel, 1859
Type species
Otolemur agyisymbanus
Coquerel, 1859
( = Otolicnus garnetti Ogilby, 1838)
Species

Otolemur crassicaudatus
Otolemur monteiri
Otolemur garnettii

Northern greater galago (O. garnettii)

The greater galagos[1] or thick-tailed bushbabies are three species of strepsirrhine primates. They are classified in the genus Otolemur in the family Galagidae.

Historical classification and species discovery

The diversity of galago species has historically been grossly underestimated. In 1931, only 5 species were recognized, 4 in the genus Galago and 1 in Euoticus, and only one species that would later be placed in the genus Otolemur.[2] In 1979, the genus Otolemur was separated from Galago.[3] By 1986, eleven species were recognized with revamped systemic classification including Otolemur crassicaudatus and Otolemur garnettii.[4] Additionally, O. crassidautus and O. monteiri were recognized as separate species instead of O. monteiri as a nested subspecies.[4] By 2001, 23 species were recognized. Classification by vocalization has particularly become prevalent and helpful as a tool in understanding of these species. All Otolemur species exhibit trailing advertising calls.[2]

Distribution and habitat

The species is found in and around coastal regions of Southern and Southeastern Africa; north from the Juba River in Somalia, southwards through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique; west across Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana; southwest to northern South Africa and as far west as Angola and Namibia. For the most part, they live in woodlands and forests, but also are found in sparsely wooded grasslands and even planted city parks and gardens.

Taxonomy

Genus OtolemurCoquerel, 1859 – two species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Brown greater galago

Brown galago

O. crassicaudatus
É Geoffroy, 1812

Southern Africa
Map of range
Size: 29–38 cm (11–15 in) long, plus 41–48 cm (16–19 in) tail[5]

Habitat: Forest, savanna, and shrubland[6]

Diet: Gum and sap, as well as fruit and insects[5]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[6]

Northern greater galago

Brown galago

O. garnettii
(Ogilby, 1838)

Eastern Africa
Map of range
Size: 23–34 cm (9–13 in) long, plus about 36 cm (14 in) tail[7]

Habitat: Forest[8]

Diet: Fruit and insects[7]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[8]


References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Groves, C. P. (2005). "Genus Otolemur". in Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 126–127. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494. http://www.departments.bucknell.edu/biology/resources/msw3/browse.asp?id=12100151. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 Grubb, Peter; Butynski TM; Oates JF; Bearder SK; Disotell TR; Groves CP; Struhsaker TT (December 2003). "Assessment of the Diversity of African Primates". Internal Journal of Primatology 24 (6): 1301–1357. doi:10.1023/B:IJOP.0000005994.86792.b9. 
  3. Olson, T. R. (1979). Studies on Aspects of the Morphology and Systematics of the Genus Otolemur. London: Phd thesis, University of London. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 Olson, T. R. (1986). "Species Diversity and Zoogeography in the Galagidae". Primate Rep 214: 213. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 Lundrigan, Barbara; Harris, Julie (2000). "Otolemur crassicaudatus". University of Michigan. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Otolemur_crassicaudatus/. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 Masters, J.; Bearder, S. (2019). "Otolemur crassicaudatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T15643A17963699. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T15643A17963699.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/15643/17963699. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 Tao, Randa (2006). "Otolemur garnettii". University of Michigan. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Otolemur_garnettii/. 
  8. 8.0 8.1 de Jong, Y. A.; Butynski, T. M.; Perkin, A.; Svensson, M. (2019). "Otolemur garnettii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T15644A17963837. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T15644A17963837.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/15644/17963837. 

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q1190066 entry