About This Project

Unlike the internet-famous Asian slow and slender lorises, Africa's loris species, the potto and the angwantibo, have remained largely unknown. Lorises are a weird and wonderful group of primate with a fascinating array of unique traits. I am studying the African lorises using radio telemetry, surveys, and behavioural observations in the wild jungles of Africa. The goal is to answer major questions about diet, social structure, habitat use, and conservation status.

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What is the context of this research?

Regardless of the Asian slow lorises' infamy as some of the world's most trafficked primates, research on all loris species remains lacking. This is especially true for the African lorises, pottos and angwantibos, which remain almost entirely unstudied in the wild. This PhD research aims to uncover the behavioural ecology of some of the world's "least studied primates" in order to make informed management decisions and taxonomic classifications. In addition, these primates retain a series of "ancient" traits that may be useful for testing various popular primate origin theories. Pottos and angwantibos are fascinating and unique primates. Who knows what secrets they may hold?

What is the significance of this project?

Asian loris research has revealed a variety of unique traits, such as venom in the slow loris. The few studies on the African pottos and angwantibos suggest a similar trove of undiscovered traits. For example, the potto has elongated vertebral spines called a "scalpular shield," the function of which is generally unknown. In West Africa, habitats are rapidly changing due to deforestation and hunting. A recent study found that although researchers believed nocturnal species were not affected by hunting or trade, pottos were the most-hunted primate in the study area, with 72% of survey respondents consuming their meat each month. Research on these cryptic primates is vital for future conservation management.

What are the goals of the project?

We will conduct nightly behavioural follows to further understand the diet (with a focus on the role of vision and capture method, see lab note), habitat preference, social structure, behaviour, and substrate use for both pottos and angwantibos using radio telemetry and infrared light filming.

Vegetation surveys will be conducted to assist in characterising the study area, understanding what plants may be important to these animals, and why.

Village surveys will be conducted to investigate the relationship between local Cameroonians and African lorises. This will help determine how these animals are perceived, and if they play a role in Cameroonian daily life.