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Primates
Id code: amd300Galagonidae
Galago moholi
A. Smith, 1836
(Eng) South African lesser bushbaby
(Fre) Galago moholi ou sud-africain
Taxonomic notes
Formerly included in G. senegalensis (Oates, 1996).
IUCN threat category
Not listed.
Available information
A very detailed account of the species' ecology and distribution in Southern Africa is found in Mills & Hes (1997) and Skinner & Smithers (1990). Behavioural aspects of the species' ecology are described in Harcourt & Bearder (1989), where authors reviewed the information available on this species in South Africa. A captive study on the reproduction was carried out by Izard & Simons (1986). General information on the species' ecology and distribution is found in Doyle & Bearder (1977), Estes (1991), Kingdon (1971-77, 1997), Nash et al. (1989), and Stuart & Stuart (1997). Status and threats are discussed in Leuthold & Leuthold (1976).
Known extent of occurrence
The species' geographic range extends from most of Southern Africa northwards to south-western Tanzania and eastern former Zaire. Fig. 2.2.6.a, derived from Nash et al. (1989), was updated using Kingdon (1997) and Mills & Hes (1997).
Categorical-discrete (CD) distribution model
This species lives in woodlands, bushlands and thickets, but also in forest fringes; it tends to avoid close forests and open grasslands (Skinner & Smithers, 1990; Doyle & Bearder, 1977; Kingdon, 1997; Mills & Hes, 1997).
Based on these environmental preferences, the following scores were assigned (Fig. 2.2.6.b) (Tab. 2.2.6.a):
|
Score |
|
|
1 |
Woodlands, bushlands and thickets. |
|
2 |
Woodlands mosaics and transitions and bushland mosaics. |
|
3 |
Grasslands; deserts; forests and croplands. |
|
suitable |
moderately suitable |
unsuitable |
Total |
||||
|
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
|
1 568 998 |
31 |
2 835 668 |
56 |
638 862 |
13 |
5 043 528 |
100 |
Tab 2.2.6.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 |
4 005 |
391 |
11 227 |
14.99 |
1.28 |
24.31 |
|
moderately suitable |
2 200 |
1 290 |
44 042 |
45.99 |
1.3 |
38.97 |
|
Total AO |
324 |
13 593 |
243 062 |
99.5 |
1.23 |
28.5 |
Tab 2.2.6.b: Area of Occupancy fragmentation indexes.
Probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model
The output of the probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model is shown in Fig. 2.2.6.c.
Validation
|
% of EO in sample areas |
Number of valid plots |
Index of Accordance (%) |
|
5.78 |
79 |
43.04 |
Tab 2.2.6.c: Categorical-discrete (CD) distribution model validation parameters.
Comments and conservation issues
A rather low Index of Accordance (43.04%) suggests some caution in reading the following comments. The known EO of this species is classified as substantially suitable (31% suitable and 56% moderately suitable), but it is also very fragmented in a mosaic of areas of different suitability levels. The total AO is not compact and unsuitable areas are frequent throughout the EO, as shown by the CD model and the high AWMSI. The species is not endangered and about 13% of the total AO is included in existing protected areas.
|
SUITABILITY CLASS |
inside |
outside |
Total |
|
suitable |
3.69 |
27.42 |
31.11 |
|
moderately suitable |
6.30 |
49.93 |
56.22 |
|
unsuitable |
1.68 |
10.99 |
12.67 |
|
Total |
11.67 |
88.33 |
100 |
Tab 2.2.6.d: Percent of environmental suitability classes within EO (as obtained from the categorical-discrete distribution model) inside and outside the protected areas.
References
Doyle G.A., Bearder S.K. (1977). The Galagines of South Africa. In: Bourne G.H. (Ed.). Primate Conservation. Academic Press, London and New York; chap. 1: 2-37.
Estes R.D. (1991). The Behavior Guide to African Mammals. Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, Primates. The University of California Press.
Harcourt C.S., Bearder S.K. (1989). A comparison of Galago moholi in South Africa with Galago zanzibaricus in Kenya. Int J. Primatol.: 10, 35-45.
Izard M.K., Simons E.L. (1986). Management of reproduction in a breeding colony of bushbabies. In: Else J.G., Lee P.C. (Eds). Primate ecology and conservation. Selected Proceedings of the 10th Congress Int. Primatological Society, Nairobi, Kenya (July 1984). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, U.K: chap. VI.6, 315-324.
Kingdon J. (1971-77). East African Mammals. VOL I: primates, hyraces, pangolins, protoungulates, sirenians. VOL IIA: Insectivores and bats. VOL IIB: hares and rodents. VOL IIIA: carnivores. VOL IIIB: large mammals. VOL IIIC: bovids. VOL IIID: bovids. Academic Press, London and New York.
Kingdon J. (1997). The Kingdon field guide to African Mammals. Academic Press, London and New York: Natural World.
Leuthold W., Leuthold B.M. (1976). Density and biomass of ungulates in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya. E. Afr. Wildl. J.: 14, 49-58.
Mills G., Hes L. (1997). The complete book of Southern African mammals. Struik Publishers.
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.
Skinner J.D., Smithers R.H.N. (1990). The mammals of the Southern African subregion. University of Pretoria, Pretoria.
Stuart C., Stuart T. (1997). Field guide to the larger mammals of Africa. Struik Publishers.