• DOI:10.1159/000052721
• Corpus ID: 202649686

Comparative Morphology and Speciation in Galagos

@article{JAnderson1998ComparativeMA,
  title={Comparative Morphology and Speciation in Galagos},
  author={Matthew J. Anderson},
  journal={Folia Primatologica},
  year={1998},
  volume={69},
  pages={325 - 331}
}

• Matthew J. Anderson
• Published 1 April 1998
• Environmental Science
• Folia Primatologica

Galagos (bushbabies) are distributed over most of sub-saharan Africa in savannahs, woodlands and forests. In contrast to most species of diurnal primates, which generally look very different from one another, galagos may appear almost identical (cryptic) although they do not interbreed. This is because they utilise primarily vocal and olfactory modes of communication rather than visual cues for recognition of potential mates [1]. The possible existence of unrecognised galago species is indicated by the analysis of bushbaby calls recorded in the field [2]. These calls reveal absolute differences between types which had been placed within the same species. To provide further evidence, galago morphology, behaviour and genetic makeup can also be considered. This paper is a preliminary study of penile morphology and hair structure of several species of galago. It examines intraand interspecific variation in specimens of two pairs of closely related species from two genera. These species, namely, Otolemur crassicaudatus (Large-eared greater galago) and Otolemur garnettii (Garnett’s greater galago), Galago senegalensis (Senegal lesser galago) and Galago moholi (Southern lesser galago) are already well established [3]. Preliminary results are also presented for other taxa in order to test the validity of the method as a means of discriminating between species.