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.
| Otolemur[1] | |
|---|---|
| |
| Brown greater galago (O. crassicaudatus) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| 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 | |
Historical classification and species discovery
editThe 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
editThe 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
edit| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown greater galago
|
O. crassicaudatus (É. Geoffroy, 1812) Three subspecies
|
Southern Africa
|
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
|
| Northern greater galago
|
O. garnettii (Ogilby, 1838) Four subspecies
|
Eastern Africa
|
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
|
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References
edit- ^ a b Groves, C. P. (2005). "Genus Otolemur". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M (eds.). 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.
- ^ a b 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. S2CID 24110272.
- ^ Olson, T. R. (1979). Studies on Aspects of the Morphology and Systematics of the Genus Otolemur. London: Phd thesis, University of London.
- ^ a b Olson, T. R. (1986). "Species Diversity and Zoogeography in the Galagidae". Primate Rep. 214: 213.
- ^ a b Lundrigan, Barbara; Harris, Julie (2000). "Otolemur crassicaudatus". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b Tao, Randa (2006). "Otolemur garnettii". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
- ^ a b 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.
External links
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