Greater galago

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.

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]

References

  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.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 126–127. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.
  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.
  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.
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