Otolemur[1]
Brown greater galago
(O. crassicaudatus)
Scientific classification Edit this 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
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 Otolemur – Coquerel, 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

Three subspecies
  • O. c. crassicaudatus (South African greater galago)
  • O. c. kirkii (Tanganyika greater galago)
  • O. c. monteiri (Silvery greater galago)
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)

Four subspecies
  • O. g. garnettii (Zanzibar greater galago)
  • O. g. kikuyuensis (Kikuyu greater galago)
  • O. g. lasiotis (White-tailed greater galago)
  • O. g. panganiensis (Pangani greater galago)
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 2 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.
  2. 1 2 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.
  3. ↑ Olson, T. R. (1979). Studies on Aspects of the Morphology and Systematics of the Genus Otolemur. London: Phd thesis, University of London.
  4. 1 2 Olson, T. R. (1986). "Species Diversity and Zoogeography in the Galagidae". Primate Rep. 214: 213.
  5. 1 2 Lundrigan, Barbara; Harris, Julie (2000). "Otolemur crassicaudatus". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  6. 1 2 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.
  7. 1 2 Tao, Randa (2006). "Otolemur garnettii". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  8. 1 2 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.
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