Greater galago


The greater galagos or thick-tailed bushbabies are everyday names for three species of strepsirrhine primates. They are classified in the genus Otolemur in the family Galagidae.

Historical classification and species discovery

The diversity of galago species has historically been grossly underestimated. In 1931, only 5 species were recognized, 4 in the genus Galago and 1 in Euoticus, and only one species that would later be placed in the genus Otolemur. In 1979, the genus Otolemur was separated from Galago. By 1986, eleven species were recognized with revamped systemic classification including Otolemur crassicaudatus and Otolemur garnettii. Additionally, O. crassidautus and O. monteiri were recognized as separate species instead of O. monteiri as a nested subspecies. By 2001, 23 species were recognized. Classification by vocalization has particularly become prevalent and helpful as a tool in understanding of these species. All Otolemur species exhibit trailing advertising calls.

Distribution and habitat

The species are found in coastal regions of East Africa ranging from the Juba River in Somalia, through Mozambique and Tanzania down to the northern parts of South Africa and as far west as Angola. For the most part they live in woods but also in wooded grasslands and even city parks.

Taxonomy