Golden angwantibo

Golden angwantibo[1]
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[2]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Primates
Family:	Lorisidae
Genus:	Arctocebus
Species:	A. aureus
Binomial name
Arctocebus aureus de Winton, 1902
Golden angwantibo range
Synonyms
ruficeps Thomas, 1913

The golden angwantibo (Arctocebus aureus) is a strepsirrhine primate of the family Lorisidae. It shares the genus Arctocebus with the Calabar angwantibo (Arctocebus calabarensis) and together they are commonly called the golden pottos. The golden angwantibo is found in Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. Its usual habitat is rain forest, but it has also been known to live on farmland.

Like the Calabar angwantibo, the golden angwantibo weighs between 266 and 465 grams and has a stumpy tail, abbreviated index fingers, a specialised grooming claw on each foot and a white line on its face. It can be distinguished from its cousin largely by its colour. The fur on its back is red-gold, with a more muted red on its belly. Unlike the Calabar angwantibo, the golden angwantibo has no nictitating membrane.

The golden angwantibo is a nocturnal and arboreal species that is typically found on small branches 5–15 metres above ground. Its diet consists of around 85% insects (especially caterpillars) and 14% fruit. Its foraging, antipredator, social and reproductive behaviour are extremely similar to those of the Calabar angwantibo.

References

1. Groves, C.P. (2005). Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M., eds. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 122. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.
2. Bearder, S.; Oates, J. F. & Groves, C. P. (2008). "Arctocebus aureus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2008. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 1 January 2009.

External links

• Golden potto (Arctocebus aureus) at The Primata