[Mammalogy • 2017] Paragalago gen. nov. • A New Genus for the eastern Dwarf Galagos (Primates: Galagidae)

Abstract

The family Galagidae (African galagos or bushbabies) comprises five genera: Euoticus Gray, 1872; Galago Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1796; Galagoides Smith, 1833; Otolemur Coquerel, 1859; and Sciurocheirus Gray, 1872, none of which is regarded as monotypic, but some (Euoticus and Otolemur) certainly qualify as oligotypic. We argue for the recognition of a sixth genus, if the taxonomy is to reflect galagid evolution accurately. Genetic evidence has consistently demonstrated that the taxa currently referred to the genus Galagoides are not monophyletic but form two clades (a western and an eastern clade) that do not share an exclusive common ancestor; we review 20 years of genetic studies that corroborate this conclusion. Further, we compare vocalizations emitted by small-bodied galagids with proposed phylogenetic relationships and demonstrate congruence between these data sets. Morphological evidence, however, is not entirely congruent with genetic reconstructions; parallel dwarfing in the two clades has led to convergences in skull size and shape that have complicated the classification of the smaller species. We present a craniodental morphometric analysis of small-bodied galagid genera that identifies distinguishing characters for the genera and supports our proposal that five taxa currently subsumed under Galagoides (Galagoides cocos, Galagoides granti, Galagoides orinus, Galagoides rondoensis and Galagoides zanzibaricus) be placed in their own genus, for which we propose the name Paragalago.

Keywords: Biogeography, Bushbaby, Craniodental Morphometrics, Galagoides, Molecular Phylogeny, Paragalago, Vocalizations.

Map showing approximate geographic ranges of the two independent dwarf galago clades, Galagoides (red) and the eastern dwarf galagos [Paragalago] (blue). The type localities of the species comprising the genera are indicated by symbols. In the case of Galagoides demidoff, the type locality is estimated from Fischer’s (1806) description. 

A Kenya coast galago (Paragalago cocos).

Photo: Luca Pozzi

Judith C. Masters, Fabien Génin, Sébastien Couette, Colin P. Groves, Stephen D. Nash, Massimiliano Delpero and Luca Pozzi. 2017. A New Genus for the eastern Dwarf Galagos (Primates: Galagidae). Zool J Linn Soc. zlw028. DOI:  10.1093/zoolinnean/zlw028

twitter.com/LPozzi81/status/829722600515461120

African bush babies gain a new genus https://news.mongabay.com/2017/02/african-bush-babies-gain-a-new-genus/ via @mongabay

[Mammalogy • 2017] Galagoides kumbirensis • A Giant Among Dwarfs: A New Species of Galago (Primates: Galagidae) from Angola

Galagoides kumbirensis 

Svensson, Bersacola, Mills, Munds, Nijman, Perkin, Masters, Couette, Nekaris & Bearder. 2017

DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23175  

Abstract

Objectives

Based on vocalization recordings of an unknown galago species, our main objectives were to compare morphology and call structure with known closely-related taxa and describe a new species of galago.

Materials and methods

We conducted field surveys in three forest habitats along the escarpment region in western Angola (Kumbira Forest, Bimbe Area, and Northern Scarp Forest), and examined galago specimens from museums worldwide. We digitized and analyzed calls using Avisoft SASLab Pro software. We also compared museum specimens from Angola with other Galago and Galagoides specimens, and conducted comparative analyses (ANOVA and between group principle component analysis) based on a set of twelve linear measurements of skulls and teeth.

Results

We describe the new species to which we give the name Angolan dwarf galago, Galagoides kumbirensis sp. nov. The new species has a loud and characteristic crescendo call, used by other Galagoides spp. (sensu stricto) in West Africa to attract companions and repel rivals. However, this call shows species-typical differences from its closest relatives. Galagoides kumbirensis sp. nov. is also distinguished by differences in the skull morphology, pelage color and facial markings, as well as a larger body size, similar to that of Galago moholi, which is not known to be sympatric.

Conclusion

This discovery points to the importance of Angolan forests as refuges for endemic biodiversity. These forests are under severe threat from overexploitation, and there is an urgent need to establish conservation measures and designate protected areas.

KEYWORDS: Bushbaby, cryptic species, Galagoides, morphology, strepsirrhine

FIGURE 2 (A, B) Skin and skull of one of the syntypes of Galagoides kumbirensis sp. nov. (FMHN 81756);
(C) paratype (in situ Kumbira Forest) 

Etymology: The species was first observed in situ in Kumbira Forest, an area undergreat pressure from commercial logging (Bersacola et al., 2015; Cáceres et al., 2016). Kumbira is considered a hotspot for many endemic species in Angola (Cáceres et al., 2015) and by using this name we aim to draw attention to the area.  

Suggested common name: Angolan dwarf galago (English), galago angolano (Portuguese)

 Magdalena S. Svensson, Elena Bersacola, Michael S. L. Mills, Rachel A. Munds, Vincent Nijman, Andrew Perkin, Judith C. Masters, Sébastien Couette, K. Anne-Isola Nekaris and Simon K. Bearder. 2017.  A Giant Among Dwarfs: A New Species of Galago (Primates: Galagidae) from Angola.  American Journal of Physical Anthropology. DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23175 ResearchGate.net/publication/313882784_A_giant_among_dwarfs_a_new_species_of_galago_Primates_Galagidae_from_Angola

This new primate is a ‘giant’ among tiny bush babies https://news.mongabay.com/2017/02/this-new-primate-is-a-giant-among-tiny-bushbabies/ via  @mongabay

New species of bushbaby found in disappearing forests of Angola https://www.newscientist.com/article/2121970-new-species-of-bushbaby-found-in-disappearing-forests-of-angola

[Primatology • 2016] Cheirogaleus shethi • A New Species of Dwarf Lemur (Cheirogaleidae: Cheirogaleus medius Group) from the Ankarana and Andrafiamena-Andavakoera Massifs, Madagascar

Ankarana or Sheth’s Dwarf Lemur  |  Cheirogaleus shethi 

Frasier, Lei, McLain, Taylor, Bailey, Ginter, Nash,
Randriamampionona, Groves, Mittermeier & Louis, 2016

Abstract

A new species of dwarf lemur, Cheirogaleus shethi sp. nov., of the C. medius group is described from the dry and transitional forests of northern Madagascar. This species can be found along the forest corridor from Ankarana Special Reserve east to the Analamerana Special Reserve down to the Bekaraoka forest in the Loky-Manambato Protected Area. This species is genetically distinct from other members of the C. medius species group and is sister to a poorly known lineage in Sambava. The identification of this new species highlights the importance of northern Madagascar as a reservoir of biodiversity.

Key Words: Dwarf lemurs, primate, Strepsirrhini, taxonomy

Figure 5. Illustration of Cheirogaleus shethi (Stephen D. Nash © Conservation International) and
photographs of KAR15.1 taken at Ankarana Special Reserve (photos by Richard Randriamampionona). 

Cheirogaleus shethi

Formerly Cheirogaleus sp. nov. 4, also CCS6 (Lei et al. 2014);
 in part C. sp. Bekaraoka Sambava (Thiele et al. 2013).

Distribution: Known from northern Madagascar, from Ankarana east to Bekaraoka in dry and transitional forests. Found in the Ankarana Special Reserve, Andrafiamena-Andavakoera Protected Area, Analamerana Special Reserve, and Loky-Manambato Protected Area. 

Etymology: This new species is named after Brian Sheth, the Chair of the Board of the NGO Global Wildlife Conservation. Brian is deeply committed to biodiversity conservation worldwide, and is a leading philanthropist for species and ecosystem conservation. He has supported many projects in Madagascar, including research and the establishment and management of nature reserves. His passion and drive to help save the diversity of life on our planet has been an inspiration to all around him. 

Vernacular names: Ankarana or Sheth’s Dwarf Lemur.

Figure 4. Map of Madagascar with the ranges of Cheirogaleus sp. nov. 4 and closely related Cheirogaleus species highlighted to show the geographic distance between lineages. Identification numbers on the map correspond to ID numbers of animals listed in Table 1. Photographs of C. andysabini and C. sp. nov. 4 are provided to show a clear difference in pelage and the distance between the ranges of the two lineages from different species groups. 

Cynthia L. Frasier, Runhua Lei, Adam T. McLain, Justin M. Taylor, Carolyn A. Bailey, Azure L. Ginter, Stephen D. Nash, Richard Randriamampionona, Colin P. Groves, Russell A. Mittermeier and Edward E. Louis Jr. 2016. A New Species of Dwarf Lemur (Cheirogaleidae: Cheirogaleus medius Group) from the Ankarana and Andrafiamena-Andavakoera Massifs, Madagascar.   Primate Conservation. (30); 59–72.   

http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/1200343/27358083/1480545032610/PC30_Frasier_et_al_Cheirogaleus_shethi.pdf?token=SRINo0un7v1IwIAooUv39tSF%2FIs%3D
ResearchGate.net/publication/311848011_A_New_Species_of_Dwarf_Lemur_Cheirogaleidae_Cheirogaleus_medius_Group_from_the_Ankarana_and_Andrafiamena-Andavakoera_Massifs_Madagascar

Stare into the Soulful Eyes of This Newly Discovered Dwarf Lemur Species https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/extinction-countdown/stare-into-the-soulful-eyes-of-this-newly-discovered-dwarf-lemur-species/

https://madagascarpartnership.org/2016/12/22/newly-identified-lemur-species/