Studies on the behaviour of the African lorisiforms are scarce, but there are clear morphological, ecological and behavioural differences between the robust pottos (Perodicticus spp.) and the smaller, gracile angwantibos (Arctocebus spp.). Pottos have a wide distribution across the African rainforest zone, while angwantibos are restricted to the forests of western equatorial Africa. African lorisiforms are not as obviously gregarious as some of their diurnal primate relatives and have thus often been described as solitary animals. This description does not mean these animals do not exhibit any social behaviour – as Charles-Dominique (1977a) wrote, solitary is not the opposite of social, but of gregarious. Indeed, increased research attention and improved methods have slowly revealed an extensive repertoire of nocturnal primate social behaviour. In this chapter, we review existing research on social behaviour, mating and parental care, feeding and food acquisition, as well as positional and defensive behaviour in pottos and angwantibos. We also highlight their major differences and recommend areas for future research.
Svensson, Magdalena S.Luhrs, Averee M.
Department of Social Sciences
Year of publication: 2020Date of RADAR deposit: 2020-03-18
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