Sciurocheirus cameronensis (Peters, 1876)
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6657019 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6656991 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03D2E067-FFC4-FFED-FF82-F77762EBFA46 |
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treatment provided by |
Jonas |
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scientific name |
Sciurocheirus cameronensis |
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Cross River Squirrel Galago
Sciurocheirus cameronensis View in CoL
French: Galago du Cameroun / German: Kamerun-Buschwaldgalago / Spanish: Géalago ardilla de Camerun
Other common names: Cross River Bushbaby
Taxonomy. Otolicnus alleni var. cameronensis Peters, 1876 ,
Cameroon, Duala.
This species is genetically and vocally distinct from its sister taxon S. gabonensis , and it shows variation from probably at least one other taxon in this genus; more research is required to verify taxonomic distinctions. Monotypic.
Distribution. Forested regions between the Niger and Sanaga rivers in SE Nigeria and NW Cameroon; squirrel galagos, perhaps this species, have been reported from Ivory Coast. View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head—body 17-19 cm, tail 22-28 cm; weight 200-350 g. The Cross River Squirrel Galago is smaller and darker than the Bioko Squirrel Galago (S. allen), with relatively larger ears. The head of the Cross River Squirrel Galago is entirely dark with usuallyjust a gray nasal streak. The tail is very dark gray, nearly black.
Habitat. Primary and secondary montane, lowland deciduous, and monsoon forest.
Food and Feeding. The Cross River Squirrel Galago is a frugivore, eating mainly fruits and gums, supplemented with young leaves and certain types of wood. Some invertebrates and frogs are also eaten. It is frequently seen in banana trees where it selects the ripest fruits; ripe fruits of Rothmannia (Rubiaceae) trees and false nutmeg ( Pycnanthus angolensis, Myristicaceae ) are also eaten in secondary forest. It forages in the low to mid-canopy and on the ground.
Breeding. Births of the Cross River Squirrel Galago occur throughout the year, with a noticeable peak in January. Infants, juveniles, and lactating females are seen on Mount Kupé in March-April, and parked juveniles are seen in Korup in early April. One (sometimes two) young are born per year after gestation of 133 days. The mother carries the infant in her mouth for the first six weeks. Sexual maturity occurs at 8-10 months. Copulation may be preceded by urine marking of the substrate by both partners. A male mounts a female in a dorsoventral position; he engages in a copulatory lock that can last for an hour. Individuals can live up to twelve years.
Activity patterns. The Cross River Squirrel Galago is nocturnal and arboreal. Like other bushbabies,it has elongated hindlimbs and a long tail for vertical clinging and leaping. It can leap 2-4 m between vertical supports.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Males are mainly solitary and live in home ranges of 2:8-3-6 ha. Females occupy home ranges of 0-06-3-4 ha. Groups of two to seven females are associated with one central male. Home ranges of central males overlap those of several females. Females are somewhat more gregarious than males, and their home ranges overlap. There is evidence of matriarchies. Male—female relations are stable throughout the year and are maintained by frequent contact (50% of the time throughout the night). Males emigrate at puberty; females continue to sleep with their mothers. Hollow trees are preferred sleeping sites. Liana tangles are favored for resting and parking young. Individuals forage by night among small vertical supports in the undergrowth, and they sleep by day in one of several favored hollow branches or in specially built nests located near the tops of the tallest trees. Males sleep alone, and females sleep in groups of 3-6. Because they cannot tolerate exposure to sunlight or heavy rainfall, their sleeping places are invariably sheltered. Regular vocal contact is kept among conspecifics when they are dispersed. These contact calls also help in species identification. A harsh, low-frequency croak is used for long distance contact and is common to all squirrel galagos. Long whistles given as single units or in phrases of one to six descending units characterize this species. Variations on this call are used for contact, spacing, cohesion, and mild alarm. Whistles and “kwoks” are also uttered.
Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix II. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List (as S. alleni cameronensis ). The Cross River Squirrel Galago occurs in the protected areas of Afe Mountain, Banyang-Nbo Wildlife Sanctuary, and Korup National Park in Cameroon and Cross River National Park in Nigeria.
Bibliography. Ambrose (2003), Oates (2011), Pimley (2002), Pimley et al. (2005a).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
