Lemuriformes and Tarsiers
General Characteristics for Lemuriformes:
- Dental comb
- Grooming claw on the second toe
- More laterally placed eyes
- Better sense of smell due to an elongated snout with a moist rhinarium
- Large mobile ears
- No post-orbital plate
- Shorter gestation and maturation periods
Lemuriformes
Ring-tailed Lemurs
Common name: Ring-tailed lemur
Scientific name: Lemur catta Suborder: Strepsirhini Infraorder: Lemuriformes Superfamily: Lemuroidea |
Distribution: Madagascar and the Comoro Islands (off the East coast of Africa)
Habitat: They inhabit wooded forests throughout the above-mentioned islands.
Tail: Yes
Mode of locomotion: The ring-tail lemur engage in quadrapedal running while on the ground and vertical clinging and leaping while in the trees. According to Kavanaugh (1983), these animals spend 15% of their time on the ground, while the rest is spent in the trees. Ring tailed lemurs have an intermembral index of 69, which means that their forelimbs are shorter than their hindlimbs.
Size and weight: The ring-tailed lemur is approximately the size of a mature, domestic house cat (380mm). They weight approximately 2kg, and their tail is slightly longer than their body (Napier and Napier 1985).
Dental formula: The dental formula is 2:1:3:3 and a dental comb is noted in the mandible (see the Lesser Bush baby for a discussion on the dental comb).
Diet: Leaves, fruits, flowers, buds, bark and shoots comprise most of the diet of the ring-tailed lemur (Kavanaugh 1983).
Social life: Lemur catta are highly gregarious and live in multi-male and multi-female groups that may contain 10 to 30 individuals. The typical structure of this group is six adult males, nine adult female, four juveniles and four infants (Napier and Napier 1985:87). There is no sexual dimorphism present between male and female ring-tailed lemurs. To prevent inbreeding, the males leave their natal group when they are juveniles and may join at least two different groups within their lifetime. The female ring-tailed lemur remains in her natal group, as a result, are more dominant and territorial than males (Kavanaugh 1983). Both male and female ring-tailed lemurs engage in stink fights. During a stink fight, both lemurs saturate their tails with secretions from their external glands, which are located on their upper chest and inner forearm. They display these tails to their opponent, who either run away or retaliates with their teeth or scented tail (Kavanaugh 1983).
Diurnal/nocturnal: The ring-tailed lemur is diurnal, but several lemur species such as the mongoose lemur can alternate between diurnal and nocturnal depending on the season and the availability of food.
(Napier and Napier 1985; Jurmain et al. 2011-2012)
Habitat: They inhabit wooded forests throughout the above-mentioned islands.
Tail: Yes
Mode of locomotion: The ring-tail lemur engage in quadrapedal running while on the ground and vertical clinging and leaping while in the trees. According to Kavanaugh (1983), these animals spend 15% of their time on the ground, while the rest is spent in the trees. Ring tailed lemurs have an intermembral index of 69, which means that their forelimbs are shorter than their hindlimbs.
Size and weight: The ring-tailed lemur is approximately the size of a mature, domestic house cat (380mm). They weight approximately 2kg, and their tail is slightly longer than their body (Napier and Napier 1985).
Dental formula: The dental formula is 2:1:3:3 and a dental comb is noted in the mandible (see the Lesser Bush baby for a discussion on the dental comb).
Diet: Leaves, fruits, flowers, buds, bark and shoots comprise most of the diet of the ring-tailed lemur (Kavanaugh 1983).
Social life: Lemur catta are highly gregarious and live in multi-male and multi-female groups that may contain 10 to 30 individuals. The typical structure of this group is six adult males, nine adult female, four juveniles and four infants (Napier and Napier 1985:87). There is no sexual dimorphism present between male and female ring-tailed lemurs. To prevent inbreeding, the males leave their natal group when they are juveniles and may join at least two different groups within their lifetime. The female ring-tailed lemur remains in her natal group, as a result, are more dominant and territorial than males (Kavanaugh 1983). Both male and female ring-tailed lemurs engage in stink fights. During a stink fight, both lemurs saturate their tails with secretions from their external glands, which are located on their upper chest and inner forearm. They display these tails to their opponent, who either run away or retaliates with their teeth or scented tail (Kavanaugh 1983).
Diurnal/nocturnal: The ring-tailed lemur is diurnal, but several lemur species such as the mongoose lemur can alternate between diurnal and nocturnal depending on the season and the availability of food.
(Napier and Napier 1985; Jurmain et al. 2011-2012)
Lesser Bushbabies
Common Name: Lesser bushbaby or thick tailed bushbaby
Scientific Name: Galagos senegalensis/ Galagos moholi Suborder: Strepsirhini Infraorder: Lemuriformes Superfamily: Lorisoidea Genus: Galago |
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Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa
Habitat: Forest and woodland savannahs, primarily arboreal
Tail: Yes
Mode of locomotion: Vertical clinging and leaping, a common mode of locomotion for prosimians. The action of vertical clinging and leaping is similar to a coiled spring. For example, in a position of rest, the busbaby clings vertically to a tree or branch with his knees and ankles tightly flexed. When he moves from the rest state, energy is transmitted through his hind legs, which can propel him either forward or backwards. Galagos can leap an average of 2m high (Kavanagh 1983). They have a small intermembral index due to their long, powerful hindlimbs and very short forelimbs (IM = 56).
Size and weight: 10-15 cm and weigh approximately 2kg
Dental formula: The dental formula is 2:1:3:3 and a dental comb is present in the mandible. The dental comb is comprised of the incisors and canines, which are closely aligned with one another and are positioned horizontally. The function of this unique dental morphology is for scraping gum/sap from trees and for grooming. This dental formula is common in most lemurs and lorises, except for the sportive lemur and the indrii who have fewer teeth (Napier and Napier 1985).
Diet: The lesser bush baby is insectivorous but may also eat tree gum and fruit.
Social life: A multi-male and multi-female social group. The dominant male is larger than the beta males and females, and has visibly developed glands on the throat and scrotal skin (Kavanagh 1983). While patrolling their territories, the dominant male rubs his urine onto his coat as a way to advertise his status. Male busybabies leave the group in which they were born; whereas female bushbabies remain in their natal group.
Diurnal/nocturnal: Nocturnal
Characteristics: The characteristics of prosimians also apply to lesser Bush babies, which include:
Taken from (Napier and Napier 1985; Jurmain et al. 2011-2012)
Habitat: Forest and woodland savannahs, primarily arboreal
Tail: Yes
Mode of locomotion: Vertical clinging and leaping, a common mode of locomotion for prosimians. The action of vertical clinging and leaping is similar to a coiled spring. For example, in a position of rest, the busbaby clings vertically to a tree or branch with his knees and ankles tightly flexed. When he moves from the rest state, energy is transmitted through his hind legs, which can propel him either forward or backwards. Galagos can leap an average of 2m high (Kavanagh 1983). They have a small intermembral index due to their long, powerful hindlimbs and very short forelimbs (IM = 56).
Size and weight: 10-15 cm and weigh approximately 2kg
Dental formula: The dental formula is 2:1:3:3 and a dental comb is present in the mandible. The dental comb is comprised of the incisors and canines, which are closely aligned with one another and are positioned horizontally. The function of this unique dental morphology is for scraping gum/sap from trees and for grooming. This dental formula is common in most lemurs and lorises, except for the sportive lemur and the indrii who have fewer teeth (Napier and Napier 1985).
Diet: The lesser bush baby is insectivorous but may also eat tree gum and fruit.
Social life: A multi-male and multi-female social group. The dominant male is larger than the beta males and females, and has visibly developed glands on the throat and scrotal skin (Kavanagh 1983). While patrolling their territories, the dominant male rubs his urine onto his coat as a way to advertise his status. Male busybabies leave the group in which they were born; whereas female bushbabies remain in their natal group.
Diurnal/nocturnal: Nocturnal
Characteristics: The characteristics of prosimians also apply to lesser Bush babies, which include:
- Dental comb
- Grooming claw on the second toe
- More laterally placed eyes
- Better sense of smell due to an elongated snout with a moist rhinarium
- Large mobile ears
- No post-orbital plate
- Shorter gestation and maturation periods
Taken from (Napier and Napier 1985; Jurmain et al. 2011-2012)
Tarsiers
Tarsiers
Common name: Tarsiers
Scientific name: Tarsius Suborder: Haplorhini Infraorder: Tarsiiformes Family: Tarsiidae |
Species (examples): 1. Tarsius syrichta (Philippines tarsier), 2. Tarsius bancanus (Horsfield tarsier) and 3.Tarsius spectrum (Spectral tarsier) (Napier and Napier 1985).
Distribution: SE Asia: The Islands of Borneo and Philippines
Habitat: Tropical rain forest, secondary forest, thorn scrub, mangrove trees and urban gardens (Napier and Napier 1985:164).
Tail: Yes.
Mode of locomotion: Vertical clinging and leaping. The tarsier can leap an average of 6m high (Kavanagh 1983). They have a small intermembral index (56) and thus have very long hindlimbs in relation to their forelimbs. The tarsier acquired his name from his long tarsal bones that provide additional leverage during vertical clinging and leaping. Another unique feature is their fused tibia and fibula, which provide stability to the ankle joint (Napier and Napier 1985).
Size and weight: The tarsier is one of the smallest primates. The average tarsier is 125cm length and weighs 130grams.
Dental formula: The dental formula is 1:1:3:3 and no dental comb is present.
Diet: The tarsier consumes a variety of insects, which include moths, termites, crickets, cockroaches, beetles and occasionally lizards and birds (Napier and Napier 1985).
Social life: They have monogamous social groups that contain a set of parents and two offspring. Their home range is approximately 1 hectare, which the males mark with urine and special epigastric fluids at primary locations (Kavanaugh 1986). For the first three weeks of life, the baby tarsier is carried within the mothers' mouth and is only removed when she hunts for food (Napier and Napier 1985).
Diurnal/nocturnal: Nocturnal
Unique characteristics of the Tarsier:
Characteristics: There are several anatomical characteristics that place the tarsier closer to anthropoids than strepsirhini, which include:
Taken from (Kavanaugh 1983, Napier and Napier 1985; Jurmain et al. 2011-2012).
Distribution: SE Asia: The Islands of Borneo and Philippines
Habitat: Tropical rain forest, secondary forest, thorn scrub, mangrove trees and urban gardens (Napier and Napier 1985:164).
Tail: Yes.
Mode of locomotion: Vertical clinging and leaping. The tarsier can leap an average of 6m high (Kavanagh 1983). They have a small intermembral index (56) and thus have very long hindlimbs in relation to their forelimbs. The tarsier acquired his name from his long tarsal bones that provide additional leverage during vertical clinging and leaping. Another unique feature is their fused tibia and fibula, which provide stability to the ankle joint (Napier and Napier 1985).
Size and weight: The tarsier is one of the smallest primates. The average tarsier is 125cm length and weighs 130grams.
Dental formula: The dental formula is 1:1:3:3 and no dental comb is present.
Diet: The tarsier consumes a variety of insects, which include moths, termites, crickets, cockroaches, beetles and occasionally lizards and birds (Napier and Napier 1985).
Social life: They have monogamous social groups that contain a set of parents and two offspring. Their home range is approximately 1 hectare, which the males mark with urine and special epigastric fluids at primary locations (Kavanaugh 1986). For the first three weeks of life, the baby tarsier is carried within the mothers' mouth and is only removed when she hunts for food (Napier and Napier 1985).
Diurnal/nocturnal: Nocturnal
Unique characteristics of the Tarsier:
- Fusion of the tibia and fibula
- Rotation of head 180 degrees
- Toilet claw on the 2nd and 3rd digits of the foot
- The lower lateral incisors are absent for a total of 34 teeth.
Characteristics: There are several anatomical characteristics that place the tarsier closer to anthropoids than strepsirhini, which include:
- Placenta and gestation period is similar to anthropoids
- Dry rhiarium (Haplorhini)
- Fovea within the retina instead of a tapetum lucidea like all noctural lemuriformes
- Biochemically more similar to anthropoids.
- No dental comb
- Bony ear canal
Taken from (Kavanaugh 1983, Napier and Napier 1985; Jurmain et al. 2011-2012).