Taxonomic classification and phylogeny
Galagos are currently grouped into six genera. '' Euoticus'' is a basal sister taxon to all the other galagids. The 'dwarf' galagids recently grouped under the genus '' Galagoides'' have been found, based on genetic data, and supported by analysis of vocalisations and morphology, to actually consist of two clades, which are not sister taxa, in eastern and western/central Africa (separated by the rift valley). The latter are basal to all the other non-''Euoticus'' galagids. The former group is sister to ''Galago'' and has been elevated to full genus status as '' Paragalago''. The genera '' Otolemur'' and '' Sciurocheirus'' are also sisters. Family Galagidae - galagos, or bushbabies * Genus '' Euoticus'', needle-clawed bushbabies ** Southern needle-clawed bushbaby, ''E. elegantulus'' ** Northern needle-clawed bushbaby, ''E. pallidus'' *Genus '' Galago'', lesser galagos, or lesser bushbabies **''Galago senegalensis'' group *** Somali bushbaby, ''G. gallarum'' *** Mohol bushbaby, ''G. moholi'' *** Senegal bushbaby, ''G. senegalensis'' **''Galago matschiei'' group *** Dusky bushbaby, ''G. matschiei'' *Genus '' Galagoides'', western dwarf galagos ** Prince Demidoff's bushbaby, ''Gs. demidovii'' ** Angolan dwarf galago, ''Gs. kumbirensis'' ** Thomas's bushbaby, ''Gs. thomasi'' *Genus †'' Laetolia'' **†'' Laetolia sadimanensis'' *Genus '' Otolemur'', greater galagos, or thick-tailed bushbabies ** Brown greater galago, ''O. crassicaudatus'' ** Northern greater galago, ''O. garnettii'' ** Silvery greater galago, ''O. monteiri'' *Genus '' Paragalago'', eastern dwarf galagos **''Paragalago zanzibaricus'' group *** Kenya coast galago, ''P. cocos'' *** Grant's bushbaby, ''P. granti'' *** Zanzibar bushbaby, ''P. zanzibaricus'' **''Paragalago orinus'' group *** Uluguru bushbaby, ''P. orinus'' *** Rondo bushbaby, ''P. rondoensis'' *Genus '' Sciurocheirus'', squirrel galagos ** Bioko Allen's bushbaby, ''S. alleni'' ** Cross River bushbaby, ''S. cameronensis'' ** Gabon bushbaby, ''S. gabonensis'' ** Makandé squirrel galago, ''S. makandensis'' The phylogeny of Galagidae according to Masters ''et al.'', 2017 is as follows:Characteristics
Galagos have large eyes, allowing them good night vision, in addition to other characteristics, like strong hind limbs, acute hearing, and long tails that help them balance. Their ears are bat-like and allow them to track insects in the dark. They catch insects on the ground or snatch them out of the air. They are fast, agile creatures. As they bound through the thick bushes, they fold their delicate ears back to protect them. They also fold them during rest. They have nails on most of their digits, except for the second toe of the hind foot, which bears a grooming claw. Their diet is a mixture of insects and other small animals, fruit, and tree gums. They have pectinate (comb-like) incisors called toothcombs, and the dental formula: They are active at night. After aJumping
Galagos have remarkable jumping abilities. The highest reliably reported jump for a galago is . According to a study published by the Royal Society, given the body mass of each animal and the fact that the leg muscles amount to about 25% of this, galago's jumping muscles should perform six to nine times better than those of a frog. This is thought to be due to elastic energy storage in tendons of the lower leg, allowing far greater jumps than would otherwise be possible for an animal of their size. In mid-flight, they tuck their arms and legs close to the body; they bring them out at the last second to grab a branch. In a series of leaps, a galago can cover ten yards in mere seconds. The tail, which is longer than the length of the head and body combined, assists the legs in powering the jumps. They may also hop like a kangaroo or simply run or walk on four legs. Such strong, complicated, and coordinated movements are due to the rostral half of the posterior parietal cortex that is linked to the motor, premotor, and visuomotor areas of the frontal cortex.Behaviour
Generally, the social structure of the galago has components of both social life and solitary life. This can be seen in their play. They swing off branches or climb high and throw things. Social play includes play fights, play grooming, and following-play. During following-play, two galagos jump sporadically and chase each other through the trees. The older galagos in a group prefer to rest alone, while younger ones are in constant contact with one another. This is observed in the ''Galago garnetti'' species. Mothers often leave infants alone for long periods and do not try to stop them from leaving. On the other hand, the offspring tries to stay close to, and initiate social interactions with the mother. Grooming is a very important part of galago daily life. They often groom themselves before, during, and after rest. Social grooming is done more often by males in the group. Females often reject attempts by males to groom them.Relationship with humans
The name “bush baby” also refers to a myth that is used to scare children to stay indoors at night. Their baby-like cry is most likely the basis of the myth, about a powerful animal that can kidnap humans. It is also said that wild bush babies/galagos in Nigeria can never be found dead on plain ground. Rather, they make a nest of sticks, leaves or branches to die in. Endangerment of the species in sub-Saharan Africa has made this claim difficult to verify.References
External links
{{Taxonbar, from=Q185239 01 . Primates of Africa Taxa named by John Edward Gray Taxa described in 1825