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Primates
Id code: amd043Galagonidae
Euoticus elegantulus
(Le Conte, 1857)
(Eng) Western needle-clawed bushbaby (South
)(Fre) Galago élégant ou mignon du sud
Taxonomic notes
Formerly includedin the genus Galago, it has been recognised as distinct by Groves (1989) and recently accepted as such by the IUCN (Oates, 1996).
IUCN threat category
Lower Risk, near threatened (LR: nt).
Available information
Literature available on the ecology of this species is limited. Information on the main aspects of the ecology of this species is found in Charles-Dominique (1971, 1977). A description of the habitat in which the species occurs is reported in Bourlière (1985), Charles-Dominique (1971), and Nash et al. (1989). Data on its occurrence are available for Angola (Feiler, 1990) and Gabon (Blom et al., 1992). General information on its ecology and distribution is found in Charles-Dominique (1971), Estes (1991), Kingdon (1997), and Stuart & Stuart (1997). Status, threats, and distribution are discussed in Oates (1996).
Known extent of occurrence
The range of Euoticus elegantulus stretches along Gabon, Congo, Eq. Guinea and Cameroon, being separated from that of E. pallidus by the Sanaga River (Wilson & Reeder, 1993). Its southern limit is along the Zaire River (Kingdon, 1997). The distribution map in Fig. 2.2.1.a was obtained from Nash et al. (1989) and revised using the river network to adjust its boundaries in accordance with the information in Oates (1996) and Kingdon (1997).
Categorical-discrete (CD) distribution model
This species lives in both primary and secondary forests (Bourlière, 1985; Kingdon, 1997).
Based on these environmental preferences, the following scores were assigned (Fig. 2.2.1.b) (Tab. 2.2.1.a):
|
Score |
|
|
1 |
Forests. |
|
2 |
Forest mosaics. |
|
3 |
Savannas and croplands. |
|
suitable |
moderately suitable |
unsuitable |
Total |
||||
|
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
|
615 291 |
69 |
159 825 |
18 |
112 175 |
13 |
887 291 |
100 |
Tab 2.2.1.a: Cumulative size (km2) of areas pertaining to each environmental suitability class within the Extent of Occurrence.
|
Number Patches (NP) |
Mean Patch Size (MPS) km2 |
Patch Size SD (PSSD) km2 |
Largest Patch Index (LPI) % |
Mean Shape Index (MSI) |
Area-Weighted Mean Shape Index (AWMSI) |
|
|
suitable |
272 |
2 250 |
35 884 |
76.63 |
1.24 |
19.1 |
|
moderately suitable |
780 |
207 |
2 180 |
7.04 |
1.25 |
5.93 |
|
Total AO |
62 |
12 481 |
96 936 |
99.45 |
1.39 |
14.75 |
Tab 2.2.1.b: Area of Occupancy fragmentation indexes.
Probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model
The output of the probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model is shown in Fig. 2.2.1.c.
Validation
|
% of EO in sample areas |
Number of valid plots |
Index of Accordance (%) |
|
19.77 |
32 |
84.38 |
Tab 2.2.1.c: Categorical-discrete (CD) distribution model validation parameters.
Comments and conservation issues
The EO of this species is largely suitable (87%) with little fragmentation. Unsuitable areas are more frequent in the southern part of the range in central Congo and Gabon and both models indicate them. The 84.38% Index of Accordance shows a high degree of correspondence between field work results and the CD model. The species is classified as Lower Risk but further research on its ecology and habitat requirements is needed. About 5% of the total AO is included in existing protected areas.
|
SUITABILITY CLASS |
inside |
outside |
Total |
|
suitable |
3.37 |
65.97 |
69.34 |
|
moderately suitable |
0.94 |
17.07 |
18.01 |
|
unsuitable |
0.84 |
11.80 |
12.64 |
|
Total |
5.15 |
94.85 |
100 |
Tab 2.2.1.d: Percent of environmental suitability classes within EO (as obtained from the categorical-discrete distribution model) inside and outside the protected areas.
References
Blom A., Alers M.P.T., Feistner A.T.C., Barnes R.F.W., Barnes K.L. (1992). Primates in Gabon - current status and distribution. Oryx: 26(4), 223-234.
Bourlière F. (1985). Primate communities: their structure and role in tropical ecosystems. Int J. Primatol.: 6, 1-26.
Charles-Dominique P. (1971). Eco-éthologie des prosimiens du Gabon. Biol. Gabonica: 7, 121-228.
Charles-Dominique P. (1977). Ecology and Behavior of Nocturnal Primates. Prosimians of Equatorial West Africa. Columbia University Press, New York.
Estes R.D. (1991). The Behavior Guide to African Mammals. Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, Primates. The University of California Press.
Feiler A. (1990). Distribution of mammals in Angola and notes on biogeography. Vertebrates in the tropics (Peters, G & R Hutter, eds). Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn.: 221-236.
Groves C.P. (1989). A theory of human and primate evolution. Oxford University Press, New York.
Kingdon J. (1997). The Kingdon field guide to African Mammals. Academic Press, London and New York: Natural World.
Nash L.T., Bearder S.K., Olson T.R. (1989). Synopsis of Galago species characteristics. Int J. Primatol.: 10, 57-80.
Oates J.F. (1996). African Primates Status Survey and Conservation Action plan. IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group.
Stuart C., Stuart T. (1997). Field guide to the larger mammals of Africa. Struik Publishers.
Wilson D.E., Reeder D.M. (Eds) (1993). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C.