Chapter 4 - The Prosimians: Lemurs, Lorises, Galagos and Tarsiers

Abstract

This chapter reviews the systematics and distinguishing features, as well as the behavior and ecology, of prosimian primates - the strepsirrhines of Africa, Asia, and Madagascar and the tarsiers of Asia. There are two major groups of living strepsirrhines. The lorisoids consist of the galagos of Africa and the lorises of Africa and Asia. The most diverse group of strepsirrhines is the radiation of lemurs on the island of Madagascar, which includes five families. Lemurids, indriids, and cheirogaleids are diverse radiations of numerous genera. Lepilemurids and the daubentoniids each contain a single genus. In addition to these living lemurs there are numerous recently extinct genera of lemuriforms, all larger than the living species. Phylogenetic relationships among the families of Malagasy primates are largely unresolved. This diverse radiation of strepsirrhines include many diurnal, nocturnal, and cathemeral species . Likewise strepsirrhines include faunivores, frugivores and folivores, including species with very specific diets such as bamboo or insect secretions. Their locomotor habits include arboreal and terrestrial quadrupedalism, leaping and some hindlimb suspension. The extinct species were even more diverse. Nocturnal taxa are generally solitary foragers, but show many types of social interactions. Diurnal taxa live in groups of various size and organization.