Red slim lory

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Red slim lory
Sri Lankan Slender Loris 1.jpg

Red slender lory ( Loris tardigradus )

Systematics
Order : Primates (Primates)
Subordination : Wet-nose primates (Strepsirrhini)
Partial order : Lori-like (Lorisiformes)
Family : Loris (Lorisidae)
Genre : Slim Loris ( Loris )
Type : Red slim lory
Scientific name
Loris tardigradus
( Linnaeus , 1758)

The red slender lory ( Loris tardigradus ) is a species of primate from the Loris family (Lorisidae). In the past, all slender lory were grouped under the scientific name Loris tardigradus , today a second species is distinguished with the gray slender lory .

features

With a head body length of 18 to 26 centimeters, the red slim loris are very small primates. There is no tail, the limbs are extremely thin. The fur is colored red-brown on the upper side, the underside is almost the same color. The head is characterized by the large, round eyes, which are surrounded by red-brown spots. A whitish stripe runs between the eyes.

Distribution, subspecies and habitat

Red slender lories are endemic to the island of Sri Lanka , where they inhabit the southwestern parts - the north and east of the island are home to the gray slender lory.

There are three or four subspecies:

  • The nominate form L. tardigradus tardigradus lives in the southwest in the districts of Colombo , Kalutara , Ratnapura , Kegalla , Galle and Matara . The climate there is always humid. The fur of the animals is yellow-brown to dark brown or gray. The dark circles under the eyes are egg-shaped and much narrower below than above. With a maximum weight of 170 g, L. tardigradus tardigradus is the smallest subspecies of the red and gray slim loris.
  • The Horton Plains slender lory ( L. tardigradus nycticeboides ) occurs in the Nuwara Eliya district , where the Horton Plains National Park is also located. Its habitat is at an altitude of 1700 to 1800 meters above sea level and is an ever-humid and evergreen, relatively cool mountain rainforest . The fur of the animals is dark brown to blackish brown in color and is long, thick and woolly. The dark circles are pear-shaped, the white border around the circles is noticeable. The arms and legs of the Horton-Plains-Schlankloris are shorter than those of the nominate form, the skull is larger, so that the animals look more plump.
  • L. tardigradus parvus lives in the north-west of the distribution area of ​​the red slim loris, in the districts of Gampaha and Kurunegala . The area belongs to the always humid climatic zone of Sri Lanka and to the transition zone to the dry climatic zone. The fur of the animals is dark golden brown. The dark circles under the eyes are wide.
  • Another form of the red slender lory occurs in the mountains of Deniyaya and Rakwana in the southwest of the distribution area of ​​the red slender lory. The habitat of the form, which has not yet been described as an independent subspecies, is always moist. These slender lorises live at altitudes of more than 800 meters above sea level. The fur of the animals is gray-brown or blackish-brown. The dark circles are pear-shaped and without a white border.

Way of life

These primates are nocturnal tree dwellers. During the day they sleep in the branches, at night they go in search of food. Like all Loris, their movements are careful and deliberate. They climb slowly, but thanks to their modified paws they have a firm, secure grip around the branches. Little is known about their social behavior. At least they go solitary in search of food, but presumably the territory of one male overlaps with that of several females. With these females, there is also reproduction and possibly further contacts such as going to daytime sleeping places together.

These animals are mainly fed by insects . When hunting, they cautiously sneak up on the prey and then grab hold of it with both hands at lightning speed.

Danger

Red loris are an endangered species. The main reasons for this are the destruction of their habitat and hunting - also for medical and superstitious reasons. Their distribution area is very fragmented, the total population is estimated by the World Conservation Union IUCN to be less than 2500 adult animals, whereby no individual population comprises more than 250 adult animals. The IUCN lists the species in the Red List of Threatened Species as ( "high risk" Endangered ).

The Horton Plains Slender Lorikeet was discovered in 1937 in the Horton Plains National Park Sri Lanka. In the period up to 1939 there were only 4 sightings, after which the animal was considered extinct. In 2010 a team from the London Zoological Society succeeded in photographing a male specimen and capturing it for a brief examination.

The species is no longer kept in Europe, former owners are Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, Bremen, Antwerp, Mechelen, Vienna, Stockholm, London, Bristol, Trinity and Yalta.

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d e Saman N. Gamage, Colin P. Groves, Fais MMT Marikar, Craig S. Turner, Kalinga UKG Padmalal & Sarath W. Kotagama: The Taxonomy, Distribution, and Conservation Status of the Slender Loris (Primates, Lorisidae : Loris ) in Sri Lanka. Primate Conservation 2017 (31)
  2. ^ A b K. Anne-Isola Nekaris: Family Lorisidae (Angwantibos, Pottos and Lorises) in Russell A. Mittermeier , Anthony B. Rylands & Don E. Wilson : Handbook of the Mammals of the World: Primates: 3rd ISBN 978- 8496553897 , page 232.
  3. ^ Der Spiegel , accessed November 10, 2013.
  4. ↑ [1] ZTL 17.6

Web links

Commons : Roter Schlanklori ( Loris tardigradus )  - Collection of images, videos and audio files