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Age differences in locomotion of two subtropical galaginae

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Abstract

The locomotor behaviour ofGalago senegalensis andG. crassicaudatus (Primates: Lorisidae) was quantified in an 11-month field study in the Northern Transvaal of South Africa. This paper assesses the distinction between the behaviour of adults, and that of infants at the age when they first began foraging independently, taking into account seasonal variations in adult behaviour. Infants of both species differ significantly from adults in the types of locomotion they use, postures, activity, support use, height of observation and tree use. While all these factors are inter-connected, it is concluded that infants exploit a quantitatively different part of the arboreal habitat from adults, because of factors such as locomotor maturation and gross body size. Dietary differences are also possible but the present study cannot establish or deny this possibility.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong

    Robin Huw Crompton

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  1. Robin Huw Crompton
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Crompton, R.H. Age differences in locomotion of two subtropical galaginae. Primates 24, 241–259 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02381086

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02381086

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