Galago locomotion in Kibale National Park, Uganda.
Very few locomotor studies have been conducted on galagos. This is surprising given their interesting anatomy and ecology, as well as their increasing species diversity. In this study we investigated locomotion and postures in two sympatric galagos species (Galagoides thomasi and Galago matschiei) living in Kibale National Park, Uganda. G. thomasi uses arboreal quadrupedalism and leaping, while G. matschiei is more leaping-oriented. Both species utilize small oblique branches in the mid-canopy. These similarities in substrate use are most likely due to the similar body sizes and anatomies of the two species, as well as to the structure and availability of trees in Kibale National Park. Lastly, we compare the locomotor patterns of G. thomasi and G. matschiei with those observed in the few other quantitative locomotor studies available for galagos.
Off
Eileen C
EC
Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Science, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa. Eileen@science.uct.ac.za
Gebo
Daniel L
DL
D000818:Animals; D005701:Galago / Q000502:physiology*; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology*; D019370:Observation; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D014454:Uganda