Greater galago

The greater galagos^[1] or thick-tailed bushbabies are three species of strepsirrhine primates. They are classified in the genus Otolemur in the family Galagidae.

Otolemur[1]
Brown greater galago (O. crassicaudatus)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Primates
Suborder:	Strepsirrhini
Family:	Galagidae
Genus:	Otolemur Coquerel, 1859
Type species
Otolemur agyisymbanus Coquerel, 1859 ( = Otolicnus garnetti Ogilby, 1838)
Species
Otolemur crassicaudatus Otolemur monteiri Otolemur garnettii

Northern greater galago (O. garnettii)

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.^[2] In 1979, the genus Otolemur was separated from Galago.^[3] By 1986, eleven species were recognized with revamped systemic classification including Otolemur crassicaudatus and Otolemur garnettii.^[4] Additionally, O. crassidautus and O. monteiri were recognized as separate species instead of O. monteiri as a nested subspecies.^[4] 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.^[2]

Distribution and habitat

The species is found in and around coastal regions of Southern and Southeastern Africa; north from the Juba River in Somalia, southwards through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique; west across Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana; southwest to northern South Africa and as far west as Angola and Namibia. For the most part, they live in woodlands and forests, but also are found in sparsely wooded grasslands and even planted city parks and gardens.

Taxonomy

Genus Otolemur – Coquerel, 1859 – two species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Brown greater galago	O. crassicaudatus (É. Geoffroy, 1812) Three subspecies O. c. crassicaudatus (South African greater galago) O. c. kirkii (Tanganyika greater galago) O. c. monteiri (Silvery greater galago)	Southern Africa	Size: 29–38 cm (11–15 in) long, plus 41–48 cm (16–19 in) tail[5] Habitat: Forest, savanna, and shrubland[6] Diet: Gum and sap, as well as fruit and insects[5]	LC  Unknown [6]
Northern greater galago	O. garnettii (Ogilby, 1838) Four subspecies O. g. garnettii (Zanzibar greater galago) O. g. kikuyuensis (Kikuyu greater galago) O. g. lasiotis (White-tailed greater galago) O. g. panganiensis (Pangani greater galago)	Eastern Africa	Size: 23–34 cm (9–13 in) long, plus about 36 cm (14 in) tail[7] Habitat: Forest[8] Diet: Fruit and insects[7]	LC  Unknown [8]