Prosimians and Tarsiers

Lemur Locomotion

Many prosimians are vertical clingers and leapers Clinging to tree trunks, and then propelling themselves through the air

Tarsier Diet

The only primate to have a diet consisting only of animal pretty Most of their diet consists of insects They hunt during the night and sleep during the day

Body Size Energetics

What you eat is related to you body size - smallest of primates (<500 g) eat insects and gums - smaller primates (<10 kg) are typically frugivore-insectivores - larger primates (>10 kg) are typically frugivore-folivores) Many prosimian are smaller primates, we expect to find them consuming mostly insects, gums, and fruits

Many Prosimians have a Nocturnal Lifestyle

All prosimians (except tarsiers) have reflective tapetum, which is a layer in the retinal that reflects light and enhanced night vision

Tarsiers

- small body size, 4-5 ounces - hunt at night for animal prey (insects) - each of their eyes is bigger than their brain - can rotate their head 180 degrees

Grooming Claw and Dental Comb

"Toilet Claw" or "Grooming Claw": characteristic of all prosimians, it is a specialized claw or nail on the foot used for personal grooming "Tooth Comb": dental structure used in grooming (comprised of lower incisors and canine)

The Lemur Social Science

- Some lemurs have multi-male multi-female groups - However, more than 25% of lemurs live in monogamous pairs. Higher proportion that found in other primates or mammals in general. Could reflect an adaption to small food patches - Female dominance in lemurs (rare among other prosimian). Females have priority of access to food resources, which could be necessary to support offspring in marginal environments

Mouse Lemur Diet

Mouse lemur are among the smallest of primates, weighing from 1.4 oz to 1.7 oz The diet of these tiny primates consists mainly of gums, invertebrates, and insect secretions

Ring-tailed Lemur Diet

Ring-tailed lemurs (~5 lbs) are characterized as opportunistic omnivores Most of their diet consists of fruits, leaves, and flowers. They also eat flower stems, exudates, spiders, caterpillars, cicadas, bird, chameleons, and grasshoppers Tamarind tree is a keystone resource. may provide up to 50% of their diet during sometimes of year

The Loris, Potto and Galago Social Scene

Solitary or small groups However, recent research shows that many prosimians are more social that previously thought

Tarsier Trait resembling Anthropoids

Tarsiers... - do not have reflective tapetum, which strepsirhines have - do not have wet noses, which stresirhines have - their eye sockets have post-orbital closure, similar to anthropoids - monthly sexual swellings of female tarsiers are like those in anthropoids

Aye Aye

Genus represented by only one species, Daubenonia madagascariensis - found only in Madagascar - feeds on insects, has specialized middle finger - solitary lifestyle - post-orbital bar - dental formula: 1:0:1:3/1:0:0:3

Prosimian Diets

The diet of galagos, pottos and lorises have a large animal prey component But, each of these prosimians also consumes some fruit, to varying degrees

Where do you find Tarsiers?

found in the Philippines and Indonesia

Where do you find Pottos, Galagos, and Lorises?

Pottos and galagos: found in Africa Lorises: found in southern Asia

The tarsier social scene

Pairs or small social groups Park their infants rather than carrying them on their bodies during daily activities which limits social learning opportunities

Prosimians often lack on of the general characteristics of primates...

1. some have a single claw on each hand or foot 2. rely more on a sense of smell that do anthropoids 3. brains are generally smaller relative to body size than anthropoids 4. tend to be small and solitary 5. many are nocturnal

Dental Formula

Lemurs, Sifakas, Indriids, Lorises, Galagos 2:1:3:3/2:1:3:3 - 2 incisors - 1 canine - 3 premolars - 3 molars

Prosimians

Means "before simians" (monkeys and apes) More closely resemble early primate ancestors, than other living primates

Lemuroidea

- 101 different species - endemic to the island of madagascar - range in size from 1.1 oz to 20 lbs - many live in harsh environments

Dental Formula (tarsiers)

2:1:3:3/1:1:3:3 Upper jaw - 2 incisors - 1 canine - 3 premolars - 3 molars Lower jaw - 1 incisor - 1 canine - 3 premolars - 3 molars

Loridae

Both lorises and pottos have slow quadrupedal locomotion and do not leap They move slowly to avoid being detected by predators Also, this enables them to effectively hunt for insect prey Galagos are often referred to as "bush babies" because their vocalizations sound like a crying human baby They are good leapers, with hindlimbs longer than their forelimbs Many species look similar, but recent studies have shown that acoustics can be used to distinguish between them

Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group

Formed in 1988, Washington University and Saint Louis Zoo are founding members of this international consortium MFG works to help conserve the island's animal species through ... - Studies of reproduction, - Ecological field research - Training programs for rangers and wardens - Protection of native habitat on the island