Abstract
Disputes over galago taxonomy have meant that studies often use different names for identical populations, making comparative analysis difficult for the untrained researcher. A main objective of this study was to assess whether hand and foot pad morphology, nail shape and toothscraper structure reveal adaptations to exudate eating and show differences which reflect taxonomy in order to identify species. A total of 714 museum specimens were examined between May and July 2007, revealing six pads on each hand and foot which vary in shape and orientation across taxa. Three nail shapes and two variations in toothscraper position were identified. The results indicate that variance in pad size reflects species boundaries and shows adaptations to allow access to large-diameter substrates. No consistent dental variation was identified when comparing species with high and low proportions of exudates in their diet, although the highly gummivorous Euoticus elegantulus possessed a relatively longer, more procumbent toothscraper than other species.
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Acknowledgments
Many thanks to Dr. Nekaris for her invaluable help, and to the Powell-Cotton (Kent) and Natural History (London) museums, in particular Malcolm Harman and Paula Jenkins.
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Stephenson, I.R., Bearder, S.K., Donati, G., Karlsson, J. (2010). A Guide to Galago Diversity: Getting a Grip on How Best to Chew Gum. In: Burrows, A., Nash, L. (eds) The Evolution of Exudativory in Primates. Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6661-2_12
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