Peleng Island Tarsier (Tarsius pelengensis)

MORPHOLOGY:
This nocturnal species has large eyes and large ears that are mobile. The Peleng island tarsier has a special adaptation in its neck vertebrae to help it turn its head 180 degrees. It needs to do this because its eyes cannot move. The dental formula of this species is 2:1:3:3 on the upper jaw and 1:1:3:3 on the lower jaw (Nowak, 1999). The lower third molar is shortened in this species (Groves, 2001). This species has relatively small upper canines (Nowak, 1999). This species lacks a tapetum lucidum found in most nocturnal animals. The Peleng island tarsier has two grooming claws on each foot instead of just one. The pelage of this species is redder than that of the species Tarsius spectrum and Tarsius sangirensis (Groves, 2001). The tips of the hairs on the thighs are colored cream (Groves, 2001).

RANGE:
The Peleng island tarsier is found on Peleng island, which is off of the coast of Indonesia (Groves, 2001).

ECOLOGY:
This species is a carnivorous species.

LOCOMOTION:
This species is a vertical clinger and leaper.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR:

VOCAL COMMUNICATION:

OLFACTORY COMMUNICATION:

VISUAL COMMUNICATION:


TACTILE COMMUNICATION:

REPRODUCTION:

REFERENCES:
Nowak, R.M. 1999. Walker's Primates of the World. The Johns Hopkins University Press: Baltimore.

Groves, C.P. 2001. Primate Taxonomy. Smithsonian Institution Press: Washington, D.C.

Last Updated: October 15, 2003.
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