Greater galago

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Greater galagos[1]
Brown greater galago (Otolemur crassicaudatus)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Family: Galagidae
Genus: Otolemur
Coquerel, 1859
Type species
Otolemur agyisymbanus
Coquerel, 1859
( = Otolicnus garnetti Ogilby, 1838)
Species

Otolemur crassicaudatus
Otolemur monteiri
Otolemur garnettii

The greater galagos or thick-tailed bushbabies are everyday names for three species of strepsirrhine primates. They are classified in the genus Otolemur in the family Galagidae.

  • Genus Otolemur
    • Brown greater galago, Otolemur crassicaudatus
      • Otolemur crassicaudatus crassicaudatus
      • Otolemur crassicaudatus kirkii
    • Silvery greater galago, Otolemur monteiri
      • Otolemur monteiri monteiri
      • Otolemur monteiri argentatus
    • Northern greater galago, Otolemur garnettii
      • Otolemur garnettii garnettii
      • Otolemur garnettii lasiotis
      • Otolemur garnettii kikuyuensis
      • Otolemur garnettii panganiensis

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 genera 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]

References

  1. Groves, C. P. (2005). "Genus Otolemur". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 126–127. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. 
  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. 
  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. 

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.