Loris Lydekkerianus Research Articles

Occurrence and Abundance of Grey Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus) in Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu, India

Occurrence and Abundance of Grey Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus) in Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu, India

Phylogenetic insights on the delineation of Mysore and Malabar subspecies of the Grey Slender Loris Loris lydekkerianus in southern India

Slender lorises are a threatened genus of small and nocturnal strepsirrhine primates confined to India and Sri Lanka. The Grey Slender Loris Loris lydekkerianus is divided into several subspecies based on morphological variation and geographical distribution but not supported by molecular data. We investigated the phylogenetic divergence of two subspecies of the Grey Slender Loris in southern India: the Mysore Slender Loris Loris lydekkerianus ssp. lydekkerianus and the Malabar Slender Loris Loris lydekkerianus ssp. malabaricus. We generated whole genome shotgun sequence data and assembled the whole mitochondrial genomes of representative individuals from their distribution in southern India and compared them with publicly available mitogenomes of other lorises. We found that the Mysore and Malabar Slender Lorises vary by 2.09% in the COX1 and CYTB gene regions. Further, phylogenetic analysis of 13 protein-coding and two ribosomal RNA genes in the mitochondrial genome showed that the Mysore and Malabar Slender Lorises form distinct monophyletic clades that diverged about 1.049 million years ago, shortly after the divergence of Red Slender Loris Loris tardigradus. Considering this relatively high sequence variation and evolutionary divergence together with their already established morphological differences and geographically distinct habitats, we propose to recognize the Mysore and Malabar Slender Lorises as two distinct species Loris lydekkerianus and Loris malabaricus.

Status and Threats of Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus) at Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu, India

Status and Threats of Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus) at Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu, India

Good Luck or Bad Omen: Attitudes Towards the Slender Loris in the City of Bengaluru, India

Cities are characterised by social and cultural diversity. The management of urban wildlife requires developing a better understanding of cultural beliefs associated with wildlife in diverse urban settings. We document a range of cultural beliefs associated with the slender loris ( Loris lydekkerianus), an endemic, nocturnal primate, in the Indian megacity of Bengaluru. Many residents associate the loris with practices such as black magic, and they believe that the animal’s call is a bad omen that brings death and misfortune. Others consider it a harbinger of good luck that offers protection to young children. These superstitious beliefs may motivate illegal wildlife trafficking of the loris. Urbanisation has led to changes in these perceptions, and many respondents now report that they consider these beliefs to be old-fashioned superstitions that hold no place in a modern city. This study contributes to knowledge on changing urban attitudes to wildlife, which is vital to developing conservation strategies that involve local residents.

Impact of Road Traffic on Mysore Slender Loris Loris lydekkerianus lydekkerianus in Keelaveliyur, Tamil Nadu, India

Roads directly affect the wildlife by mortality through collisions with vehicles. Mysore slender loris Loris lydekkerianus lydekkerianus is distributed in drier regions of southern India. The present paper deals with the impact of road traffic on Mysore slender loris in Keelaveliyur, Tamil Nadu, India. Road kills were recorded from four roads varied in distance from 8 km to 11 km: Keelaveliyur to Thogaimalai, Keelaveliyur to Melapatti, Keelaveliyur to Othakadai, and Keelaveliyur to Pathiripatti. In total, 41 lorises, consisting of 21 adult females, 12 adult males, three subadult females, and five subadult males, were found killed on road by the road traffic from January 2017 to December 2021. Of the four roads differed in traffic volume, more number of roadkills was found on Keelaveliyur to Othakadai road, followed by Keelaveliyur to Pathiripatti, Keelaveliyur to Melapatti, and Keelaveliyur to Thogaimali. Keelaveliyur to Pathiripatty, though with lesser vehicular traffic, was found with more number of roadkills and can be attributed to the availability of more number of trees not only along the roadside but also perpendicular to the road. Besides, abundance of loris was more along this roadside. Extensive removal of trees along the roadside for developmental activities not only reduced the availability of trees but also the population of loris in and around Keelaveliyur in recent years.

Activity Budget and Behavioral Repertoire of Mysore Slender Loris Loris lydekkerianus lydekkerianus in Keelaveliyur, Tamil Nadu, India

Animal, to survive and reproduce, exhibits different types of behaviors and thus studying behavior is vital to fully understand the animal. In the present study, an attempt was made to study the behaviors and activity budget of Mysore slender loris Loris lydekkerianus lydekkerianus in Keelaveliyur, Tamil Nadu, India. In total, 1284 hours of observation were made on 46 lorises (16 adult males, 12 adult females, five sub-adult males, five sub-adult females, and eight infants) from Jan 2017-Jan 2018. Mysore slender lorises were nocturnal in the habit at Keelaveliyur, Tamil Nadu. Lorises awoke between 17:00 h and 18:00 h and ceased their activities between 07:00h and 08:00h. They were almost inactive between 07:00h to 17:00h. A total of 15 different categories, comprising 45 different behaviors were cataloged for the Mysore slender loris.

The effects of olfactory stimulation on the behaviour of captive slender lorises (Loris lydekkerianus)

Studies on primate sense of smell are scarce, even though odours represent the main communicative channel for many nocturnal primates such as gray slender lorises (Loris lydekkerianus). Here, we investigate the influence of natural odours on communicative and social behaviours on a group of slender lorises housed at the Frankfurt Zoo. Previously collected chemical marks from unknown conspecifics, urine from a natural predator (rusty-spotted cats) and a control setup were introduced in random order to the group enclosure. We recorded chemical communication behaviours, such as marking and sniffing, social behaviours and general activities. Using generalized linear mixed-effect models, we found that the odours did not have an effect on marking, but on sniffing behaviours of the animals. Conspecific odours decreased the sniffing frequencies of the animals (especially shortly after introduction). When predator odours were introduced, sniffing increased when compared to treatments with conspecific odours, but not in comparison to control treatments. The frequency of social behaviours, feeding and self-grooming did not change in response to predator or conspecific odours. Despite some limitations to our study, the data show a trend that natural odours may trigger some interest in group-kept slender lorises, and further examination of other novel odours may be worth studying (e.g. for potential chemical enrichment in zoos).

Medicine, black magic and supernatural beings: Cultural rituals as a significant threat to slender lorises in India

AbstractTrade of wildlife for use in traditional medicines, rituals, magical spells and cultural practices occurs globally and has been studied mostly in Africa and Asia.The grey slender lorisLoris lydekkerianusis used for both medicinal and ritual purposes, but little information is available on how the user is meant to extract their medicinal properties, or the potential impact these practices have on the species' populations.From 2014–2021, we used open‐ended interviews with 293 informants in three slender loris range states in Southern India to collect qualitative information on people's beliefs regarding the use of slender lorises in traditional medicine, black magic rituals and other cultural practices. To understand this further, we analysed data on 139 live slender loris rescues from three rescue and rehabilitation centres and one government organization in Bengaluru, India collected over an 18‐year period.We found that 116/139 live individuals had been involved in black magic rituals, including piercing, or burning the body and the eyes. These ritual practices occurred more often to female slender lorises and during the new moon. Data from 293 interviews revealed that astrologers regularly use live lorises for fortune‐telling or for warding off evil. Slender loris body parts are used to make traditional folk medicine, develop black magic potions that bring people harm, hypnotize people or to thwart evil.Habitat loss and anthropogenic pressures, coupled with the existing slender loris trade for cultural practices, are a cause for grave concern. Numerous deep‐rooted superstitious beliefs and rituals continue to thrive in modern India, and this is potentially one of the major threats to India's already imperilled slender loris population. More research into the prevalence of loris use for black magic is needed to assess the impact on species sustainability.Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.

Ecological Determinants of Malabar Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus malabaricus, Cabrera 1908) Occupancy and Abundance in Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Ghats, India

Precise knowledge of a species’ habitat requirements is essential for its conservation. Very little information exists on the habitat requirements of the Malabar slender loris (Loris lydekkerianus malabaricus), a nocturnal primate, making it difficult to formulate conservation action plans. The goal of this study was to evaluate the ecological determinants of t he Malabar slender loris at the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India. We conducted surveys in a 1-km2 area in the southwest end of the sanctuary. We overlaid the study site with 1-ha grids and selected 83 grids for sampling. We surveyed each grid on five consecutive nights for the presence and abundance of lorises. We measured tree species richness, basal area, mean tree height, percentage shrub cover, percentage climber cover, climber species richness, percentage canopy cover, tree felling and branch lopping, paths, and the time taken to walk the trail. We built 19 models for occupancy and 17 models for abundance using PRESENCE 12.9. We detected 69 lorises in total in a 57.05-km walk with an encounter rate of 1.33 ± 0.21 SE individuals/km. The detection probability was 0.25 ± 0.04 SE for occupancy, and 0.13 ± 0.04 SE for abundance. The naive occupancy estimate for loris was 0.48, but the occupancy estimate of the top model with covariates was 0.67 ± 0.12 SE. The estimate of abundance (λ) was 2.40 ± 1.04 SE per grid cell. Basal area, species richness of the trees, and tree felling and branch lopping were the major positive determinants of loris occupancy and abundance. In contrast, the percentage climber cover negatively influenced occupancy and abundance. This suggests that climbers do not provide a complete platform for the lorises to move, while tree species richness and basal area reflect a greater number of trees that provide more connectivity than climbers. Detailed investigations using the methods we employed can be undertaken throughout the range of this species to determine occupancy and formulate conservation and management plans.

Phylogenetic relationship among slender loris species (Primates, Lorisidae: Loris) in Sri Lanka based on mtDNA CO1 barcoding

There are 2 species of slender lorises found in Sri Lanka: the red slender loris, Loris tardigradus (Linnaeus, 1758), endemic to the wet zone and montane areas, and the grey slender loris, Loris lydekkerianus (Cabrera, 1908), which is widespread. In addition, currently there are 2 subspecies recognized for each of these 2 slender loris species of Sri Lanka. Yet their taxonomy, evolutionary history, and biogeography are still poorly understood, and there are some preliminary data suggesting the presence of other subspecies. In this study, we have analysed the partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene sequence of 21 Loris specimens collected from 7 different regions in Sri Lanka. The phylogenetic tree reconstructed based on the neighbour joining method and Bayesian approach revealed 2 clades with high branch supports (>60%), consistent with the 2 slender loris species. Moreover, the samples within the Loris lydekkerianus clade were divided into 3 taxa and the samples within the Loris tardigradus clade were divided into 4 taxa, all consistent with the 7 sampling zones. The results of the study have provided the first DNA barcoding analysis on slender lorises in Sri Lanka to resolve phylogenetic relationships. Further studies on Loris are necessary for decoding their taxonomic issues in Sri Lanka.

Habitat Selection of the Grey Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus) in the Popham’s Arboretum, Dambulla, Sri Lanka

The Popham’s Arboretum, a small regenerated forest patch located in a highly urbanized setting in Dambulla, is home to a small population of the Grey Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus). Here we report on the habitat selection of the Grey Slender Loris within the arboretum. Nocturnal surveys were conducted on 20 days during three sampling sessions between September 2016 to June 2017. The majority of the 55 loris sightings made during the survey period were concentrated within the core areas of the forest. These sightings were geo-referenced and marked for habitat sampling. A total of twenty 10x10 m quadrates centered on these sightings (n=13) and additional quadrates located where no sightings were made during the survey (n=7), were used for the habitat analyses. Six habitat parameters previously shown to be important for the loris; % canopy cover, mean DBH, total abundance of plants over 10 cm GBH, species richness of plants, number of creepers and the distance to the forest edge were recorded for each quadrate. Further, temperature and relative humidity within each of the quadrates were also recorded between 1900 and 1800 hrs. Results indicate a significant differences in four of these parameters (species richness of trees, canopy cover, distance to the forest boundary and relative humidity) between areas of the forest that were used and those that were not used by the loris (p<0.05). Interestingly, the PC1 and PC2 explaining approximately 60 % of the variation in the habitat (derived from PCA analyses) indicates that microhabitat features within used areas were different to those that were not used. Two plant species, the creeper Derris parviflora (Kala Wel) and the tree Diplodiscus verrucosus (Dikwanna), showed up as species that were preferentially used by the loris as indicated by the Selectivity Index, where the percentage usage far exceeded their percentage availability within the forest (% availability and % usage values were 5.19 and 27.3 for D. parviflora and 11.58 and 29.0 for D. verrucosus). The preference for areas with the creeper might be explained by the fact that it eases climbing and movement of the loris. However, no explanation could be given at this stage for its preference for the D. verrucosus tree. The findings nevertheless suggest that enrichment with preferred plants could be used to increase habitat utilization by the loris, which would be critical to ensure their survival in small and isolated forest fragments in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Keywords: Dry zone forest, Habitat selection, Loris

Fatal infection in three Grey Slender Lorises (Loris lydekkerianus nordicus) caused by clonally related Trueperella pyogenes

BackgroundTrueperella pyogenes is a worldwide known bacterium causing mastitis, abortion and various other pyogenic infections in domestic animals like ruminants and pigs. In this study we represent the first case report of three unusual fatal infections of Grey Slender Lorises caused by Trueperella pyogenes. Meanwhile, this study represents the first in-depth description of the multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) on T. pyogenes species.Case presentationThree Trueperella pyogenes were isolated from three different Grey Slender Lorises, which died within a period of two years at Frankfurt Zoo (Frankfurt am Main - Germany). The three Grey Slender Loris cases were suffering from severe sepsis and died from its complication. During the bacteriological investigation of the three cases, the T. pyogenes were isolated from different organisms in each case. The epidemiological relationship between the three isolates could be shown by four genomic DNA fingerprint methods (ERIC-PCR, BOX-PCR, (GTG)5-PCR, and RAPD-PCR) and by multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) investigating four different housekeeping genes (fusA-tuf-metG-gyrA).ConclusionIn this study, we clearly showed by means of using three different rep-PCRs, by RAPD-PCR and by MLSA that the genomic fingerprinting of the investigated three T. pyogenes have the same clonal origin and are genetically identical. These results suggest that the same isolate contaminated the animal’s facility and subsequently caused cross infection between the three different Grey Slender Lorises. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first epidemiological approach concentrating on T. pyogenes using MLSA.

Distribution of the Grey Slender Loris (Loris lyddekerianus Cabrera, 1908) in Tamil Nadu, Southern India

The grey slender loris Loris lydekkerianus, one of only two nocturnal primates of India, is found in the southern part of the country. Our understanding of its geographical distribution is largely based on historical records and short surveys, and little is known of its occurrence in southern India today. We sought to establish the relative abundance of this species in 26 districts in the state of Tamil Nadu and the union territory of Pondicherry in southern India. We sighted lorises in 19 districts, and their relative abundance ranged from 0.01 to 2.21/km. The south-central districts of Tamil Nadu showed the highest densities of lorises, while the western districts showed the lowest. Based on these results, we recommend increased protection measures for the forest patches of the Eastern Ghats mountains in order to ensure the long-term survival of the grey slender loris.

Improving diet and activity of insectivorous primates in captivity: Naturalizing the diet of Northern Ceylon gray slender loris, Loris lydekkerianus nordicus.

Data on in-situ diet and nutritional requirements should inform the provision of food to captive insectivorous primates. Despite the growing availability of such information an over-reliance on commercially available primate foods and fruit continues in many captive establishments. Wild slender lorises are almost exclusively insectivorous, yet captive conspecifics are fed a primarily frugivorous diet that is likely to contribute to behavioral and health problems. We investigated the effect of naturalizing diet in the Northern Ceylon grey slender loris (Loris lydekkerianus nordicus) by providing live insect prey to a captive group of five individuals. We calculated activity budgets in accordance with six established categories and recorded positional behaviors. We collected data over 30 hours for each of three conditions: pre-enrichment, enrichment, post-enrichment. We hypothesized that increased opportunity for the display of natural behaviors would be stimulated by the dietary enrichment of live insects and made the following predictions; 1) Percentage time spent foraging would increase and time spent inactive would decrease; 2) behavioral repertoires would increase; 3) foraging patterns would be more constant over time with reduced feeding-time peaks. We analyzed time budget and behavioral changes using Friedman tests. We found significant changes in activity budgets with inactivity reduced and foraging levels increased to levels seen in wild slender lorises. We found a significant increase in postures used in foraging and a wider behavioral repertoire. We discuss the benefits of providing free-ranging live food in relation to enhancing the temporal-spatial distribution of food acquisition, satisfying nutritional requirements, balancing energy intake, and expenditure, expanding sensory stimulation, and promoting behavioral competence. We discuss our findings in relation to other insectivorous primates.

Distribution and Relative Abundance of the Slender LorisLoris lydekkerianusin Southern Kerala, India

Two subspecies of slender loris, the Mysore slender loris, Loris lydekkerianus lydekkerianus, and the Malabar slender loris, Loris lydekkerianus malabaricus, are known from Peninsular India. Their distributions overlap along the southern ridges of the Western Ghats. Although the distribution and abundance of the species is known for part of the state of Kerala, the full extent of the range of the species remains unclear. We surveyed forested areas of southern Kerala for a more comprehensive understand- ing of their distribution pattern and relative abundance. The range of L. l. malabaricus is confined to the western slopes of the Western Ghats. The Ariankavu pass and Palghat gap have created a barrier over a period of time, which has resulted in separate populations of L. l. malabaricus. As such, L. l. malabaricus is divided into three populations in Kerala—(1) Neyyar Wildlife Sanc- tuary in the southern tip to the south of the Ariankavu pass, (2) north of Ariankavu pass north to the Palghat Gap, and (3) north of the Palghat gap to the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary. The relative abundance of L. l. malabaricus in most of the forest divisions of Kerala is <0.2 lorises/km, except in the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Konni, Thiruvanthapuram, Nemmara, and Chimmoney.

Current distribution and abundance of slender lorises (Loris tardigradus and L. Iydekkerianus) in Sri Lanka

Two species of slender lorises are currently recognized in Sri Lanka. They are Sri Lanka red slenderloris (Loris tardigradusj and Grey slender loris (L. lydekkerianus i, with four currently recognizedsub-species; viz. Western red slender loris (L. t. tardigradus), Montane slender loris (L. t.nycticeboidesi, Northern grey slender loris (L. 1.nordicusi, and Highland slender loris (L. 1.grandis).The objective of this survey was to map the distribution and estimate the abundance of lorises in SriLanka. The study was initiated in 2002 and continues to date. Thus far forty-five sites across all ofthe ecological zones have been surveyed covering approximately 400 krn-. In six of these sites, loriseswere not recorded. Of the other 39 sites, 223 sightings of slender loris (L. t. tardigradus (n = 86), L.t. nycticeboides (n = 3), L. 1. nordicus (n = 122), and L. l. grandis (n = 12). Abundance estimates, 'base on sightings of animals krn', were: L. t. tardigradus (0.5-8), L. t. nycticeboides (0.03), L. I.nordicus (0.7-13). and L. 1. grandis (0.3-4) were recorded. The abundance of lorises varied indifferent habitat types with the highest abundance oflorises occurring in the dry zone monsoon forests.The least abundance of lorises was recorded in the cloud forest.

Moolah, misfortune or spinsterhood? The plight of Slender Loris Loris lydekkerianus in southern India

In this communication, we document the local knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of slender lorises among the indigenous Kani community in the southern Western Ghats; document new records of Loris lydekkerianus lydekkerianus in the Agasthyamalai Hills; and discuss in detail a poorly known threat to these primates. Although not kept as pets due to their physical appearance, and belief that they would bring bad luck, the Kani community however captured slender lorises for wildlife photographers. Similar instances of loris abuse in various parts of south India were revealed upon analyzing photographs from a popular internet-based wildlife photography site. We recommend that strict guidelines be formulated for photographing lorises, and suggest that novel and ethical tourism initiatives be set up involving local communities to cater to wildlife photographers and tourists.

Distribution Patterns of Slender Loris Subspecies (Loris lydekkerianus) in Kerala, Southern India

Gray slender lorises (Loris lydekkerianus) are 1 of 2 nocturnal primate genera occurring in India. Although the distribution and abundance of the species is known for some parts of southern India, the relative distribution of the 2 subspecies, Loris lydekkerianus lydekkerianus and L. l. malabaricus, and their comparative densities and extent of overlap between their distributions remains largely unknown. We investigated the distribution pattern and relative density of slender lorises in the Western Ghats mountain range in the state of Kerala in southern India. We surveyed 36 forest ranges in 17 forest divisions of northern and central Kerala from February to November 2009 for the presence of lorises. We sighted slender lorises in 22 forest ranges in a variety of vegetation types, and the relative abundance of the species ranged from 0.02 to 1.44 lorises/km. Our results confirm that both loris subspecies are present in Kerala: Mysore slender lorises have a narrow patchy distribution on the eastern edges of the Western Ghats mountain range, and Malabar slender lorises have a fairly contiguous distribution on the western slopes of the Western Ghats. We recommend more detailed surveys in southern Kerala to identify the distribution patterns of the subspecies in these areas.

Stand structure of a primate rich rainforest region in the central Western Ghats of southern India

The Western Ghats of southern India are one of the most important biodiversity regions in the world, not only due to their faunal diversity and abundance but also due to different habitat types, floral diversity and the presence of several endemic plant species. The rainforests in the central Western Ghats are inhabited by several primate species. We investigated the vegetation pattern and tree species occupancy of one of the prime primate habitats in the central Western Ghats. Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus), Bonnet Macaque (Macaca radiata), Hanuman Langur (Semnopithecus entellus achates) and Malabar Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus malabaricus) inhabit the study area. We studied the density, dominance, frequency and Importance Value Index (IVI) of different tree species, using the belt transect method on randomly selected plots covering 4.1ha. We found that all the plant species that emerged to be the most dominant species with high IVI in the forest were also used by the diurnal primates for foraging. Knema attenuata and Syzygium gardneri were found to be the ‘keystone’ species. Since the forests of the study area do not come under the ‘protected area network’ for wildlife, the data obtained during this study will be helpful in the forestry management practices with a view for wildlife conservation of the region.

Mapping potential distribution of slender loris subspecies in peninsular India

The present study mapped the potential geographic distribution of subspecies of slen- der loris Loris lydekkerianus from peninsular India. We utilized occurrence records of more than 300 confirmed sightings of slender lorises to model the species' potential geographic distribution by applying an ecological niche modeling (ENM) framework using a desktop genetic algorithm for rule- set prediction (GARP) algorithm. Results indicate that the modeled potential distribution of a morpho- logically different and hitherto undescribed subspecies of slender loris is noticeably different in geo- graphic space from the 2 known subspecies found within peninsular India. The potential geographic distribution of this subspecies appears to occupy a distinct and intermediate climate region running along the eastern fringe of the southern Western Ghats. Among the 2 known subspecies, the modeled potential distribution of L. l. lydekkerianus corresponds with a relatively drier climate, largely occu- pying deciduous and open-scrub forest types, whereas the modeled potential distribution of L. l. mal- abaricus corresponds with wetter climates, ranging from deciduous to evergreen forest types. The presence of an undescribed subspecies of slender loris demonstrates an urgent need for a detailed exploration within the range modeled by the present study.