Skip to main content
Log in

Predation on a wild Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta)

  • Short Communication
  • Published:
acta ethologica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Little is known about predation on the Philippine tarsier. Only one other case of predation, probably by a cat, has previously been reported. In our study, we present two events of predation, one on a female tarsier by a water monitor lizard, another on an infant tarsier by an unknown predator. We also describe the behaviour of the tarsier mother after losing her infant. Our observations extend current knowledge about predation pressure on the Philippine tarsier.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Cheney DL, Wrangham RW (1987) Predation. In: Smuts BB, Cheney DL, Seyfarth RM, Wrangham RW, Struhsaker TT (eds) Primate societies. Chicago University Press, Chicago, pp 227–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Clutton-Brock TH, Harvey PH (1977) Primate ecology and social organization. J Zool 183:1–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crompton RH, Sellers WI (2007) A consideration of leaping locomotion as a means of predator avoidance in prosimian primates. In: Gursky SL, Nekaris KAI (eds) Primate anti-predator strategies, developments in primatology: progress and prospects. Springer, New York, pp 127–145

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagosto M, Gebo DL, Dolino C (2001) Positional behavior and social organization of the Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta). Primates 42:233-243

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodman SM, O’Connor S, Langrand O (1993) A review of predation on lemurs: implications for the evolution of social behavior in small, nocturnal primates. In: Kappeler PM, Ganzhorn JU (eds) Lemur social systems and their ecological basis. Plenum, New York, pp 51–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Gursky S (1998) Effects of radio transmitter weight on small nocturnal primate. Am J Primatol 46:145–155

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gursky S (2002a) Determinants of gregariousness in the spectral tarsier (Prosimian: Tarsius spectrum). J Zool 256:401–410

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gursky S (2002b) Predation on a wild spectral tarsier (Tarsius spectrum) by a snake. Folia Primatol 73:60–62

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gursky S (2002c) The behavioral ecology of the spectral tarsier, Tarsius spectrum. Evol Anthropol 11:226–234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gursky S (2003a) Lunar philia in a nocturnal primate. Int J Primatol 24:351–367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gursky S (2003b) Predation experiments on infant spectral tarsiers (Tarsius spectrum). Folia Primatol 74:272–284

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gursky S (2005a) Associations between adult spectral tarsiers. Am J Phys Anthropol 128:74–83

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gursky S (2005b) Predator mobbing in Tarsius spectrum. Int J Primatol 26:207–221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jachowski DS, Pizzaras C (2005) Introducing an innovative semi-captive environment for the Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta). Zoo Biol 24:101–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neri-Arboleda I, Stott P, Arboleda NP (2002) Home ranges, spatial movements and habitat associations of the Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) in Corella, Bohol. J Zool 257:387–402

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rasoloarison RM, Rasolonandrasana BPN, Ganzhorn JU, Goodman SM (1995) Predation on vertebrates in the Kirindy forest, Western Madagascar. Ecotropica 1:59–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanford CB (2002) Avoiding predators: expectations and evidence in primate antipredator behavior. Int J Primatol 23:741–757

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Terborgh J, Janson CH (1986) The socioecology of primate groups. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 17:111–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Schaik CP (1983) Why are diurnal primates living in groups? Behaviour 87:120–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Schaik CP, van Hooff JARAM (1983) On the ultimate causes of primate social systems. Behaviour 85:91–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright PC, Martin LB (1995) Predation, pollination and torpor in two nocturnal prosimians: Cheirogaleus major and Microcebus rufus in the rain forest of Madagascar. In: Alterman L, Doyle G, Izard K (eds) Creatures of the dark. Plenum, New York, pp 45–60

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank for the financial support especially to Decin Zoo and following funding agencies and sponsors—Primate Conservation, Inc., Mobility Fund of Charles University, “Nadání Josefa, Marie and Zdeňky Hlávkových” Foundation, Hedvábná stezka, Koktejl, Humi, Evropská cestovní pojišťovna, Sambar sport, Storm and others. We thank to our local partners in the field—The Philippine Tarsier Foundation, Inc., Simply Butterflies Conservation Centre and Bohol Island State University for cooperation and support. Special thanks to volunteers who helped us with field research—Radka Jupová, Ondřej Husák and Pavel Hrouzek, and all other co-workers helping us with the Tarsius Project, especially Václav Řehák, Cristy Burlace, Felix Sobiono, Jose Travero, Sherry Ramayla and Bonn Aure. We thank Carlito, Julius and their assistants for their help with catching of tarsiers and Bryan and Brian Hopkins for language corrections. Thanks to DENR Philippines for providing the permits necessary for our research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Milada Řeháková-Petrů.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Řeháková-Petrů, M., Peške, L. & Daněk, T. Predation on a wild Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta). acta ethol 15, 217–220 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10211-011-0096-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10211-011-0096-7

Keywords

Navigation