Lorisoidea
Gray Schlanklori ( Loris lydekkerianus )
The Loriartigen ( Lorisiformes ) are a part of the order Primates. You combine the two families of Loris and Galagos and, together with the lemurs, the group of wet nose monkeys.
Features
Loriartige are relatively small primates. They reach a body length from 7 to 40 centimeters, the tail is at the Loris only a short stub at the Galagos he can, however, be longer than the trunk. The weight of these animals varied from 0.05 to 2 kilograms. The coat is held in inconspicuous gray or brown tones, the underside is usually somewhat brighter. In the construction of the musculoskeletal system to clearly show specifications to the respective life: The Slow Loris as a climber approximately equal length front and hind legs, the hands are transformed into " Tongs ". In contrast, the Galagos as adaptations to the jumping locomotion hind legs and the tarsus are greatly extended. As with all wet nose monkeys carry all fingers and toes nails with the exception of cleaning claw on the second toe. The head is rounded, the eyes are relatively large. As with all wet nose monkeys nose is equipped with a nose leather. The dental formula is I2/2-C1/1-P3/3-M3/3, for a total of 36 teeth. As with most wet nose monkeys form the lower incisors and canines a forward tooth comb.
Distribution and habitat
The Loriartigen are in central and southern Africa - but not on Madagascar - home and in the southern and southeastern Asia, where the Galagos are limited to Africa, however, the Loris occur on both continents. Habitat of these animals are forests and other wooded areas, there are in addition distinct rainforest dwellers representatives who live in dry forests or savannas.
Way of life
Both groups of Loriartigen are nocturnal and arboreal, otherwise the life of the families differ significantly. Galagos move quickly climbing and jumping away and communicate with cry sounds. The Loris, however, run a deliberate, hidden life: they climb slowly through the branches and give hardly sounds.
The food of Loriartigen is variable: in addition to species that feed on fruit or tree sap, there are also omnivorous and some mainly carnivorous representative. The composition of the diet varies not only between species, even within a species may vary depending on habitat or season pass strong differences in the diet.
System
The sister group of the Loriartigen are the lemurs, together they form the group of wet nose monkeys. Although the monophyly of Loriartigen and the sister group relationship is relatively secured to the lemurs based on genetic data, but there are few synapomorphies, ie morphological features which clearly distinguish them from the lemurs. These include the construction of the ear region of the skull and the blood supply - so the internal carotid artery is formed at the rear Loriartigen unlike most lemurs.
The internal system is not completely clarified. A total of nearly 30 species can be distinguished. The following list gives the system up to the genus level resist (after Wilson & Reeder, 2005):
- Galagos ( Galagonidae ) Ordinary galagos ( Galago ): 14 species
- Riesengalagos ( Otolemur ): 3 species
- Kielnagelgalagos ( Euoticus ): 2 species
- False Potto ( Pseudopotto martini ): Status controversial
- Bärenmakis ( Arctocebus ): 2 species
- Potto ( Perodicticus potto )
- Schlankloris ( Loris ): 2 species
- Slow Loris ( Nycticebus ): 8 species