Tarsier or loris ?

I also think Carsten Niemitz is incredibly lucky to have both described a new species and to have it named after him (I think it is infinitely cooler to have a tarsier named after you than a beetle, fly or parasite).

Isn't it highly frowned upon to name a species after yourself?
The tarsier wasn't described by Niemitz.

The citation of the paper is Shekelle, M., Groves, C. P., Maryanto, I., Mittermeier, R. A., Salim, A., & Springer, M. S. (2019). A new tarsier species from the Togean Islands of Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, with references to Wallacea and conservation on Sulawesi. Primate Conservation, 33.
 
The tarsier wasn't described by Niemitz.

The citation of the paper is Shekelle, M., Groves, C. P., Maryanto, I., Mittermeier, R. A., Salim, A., & Springer, M. S. (2019). A new tarsier species from the Togean Islands of Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, with references to Wallacea and conservation on Sulawesi. Primate Conservation, 33.

I'll take a look at that, thank you for sharing.

So it seems that someone else named it after him I suppose.
 
Yes thank you, @Chlidonias. I always thought it was an honor to have a species named after yourself, now I know unless if you named it.

I think the honor is greater still if your colleagues name the species after you, for example the Anderson's salamander (Ambystoma andersoni) of Mexico (most beautiful of the Mexican mole salamanders in my opinion) was named after the American herpetologist James Anderson by his colleagues.

Unfortunately Anderson never got to learn of this as the species was scientifically described and was given this name by his colleagues 8 years after he had died.

Niemitz I think has the enormous distinction and privilege of both having an incredible species named after him by his colleagues and still being alive to appreciate this.
 
Last edited:
I think the honor is greater still if your colleagues name the species after you, for example the Anderson's salamander (Ambystoma andersoni) of Mexico (most beautiful of the Mexican mole salamanders in my opinion) was named after the American herpetologist James Anderson by his colleagues.

Unfortunately Anderson never got to learn of this as the species was scientifically described and was given this name by his colleagues 8 years after he had died.
Anderson's salamanders are really pretty! I can't remember if I've seen one though. Are they kept in captivity?
 
Anderson's salamanders are really pretty! I can't remember if I've seen one though. Are they kept in captivity?

Yes, in quite a few zoos actually in both the United States, Europe and also within Mexico.

If you check the zoochat media gallery for the species you are bound to find a zoo in the USA which holds them and can plan a future visit to see them.

They are quite beautiful animals (and distinctive looking among the Ambystoma) with their constrasting brown and white colouration, leopard-like spots and reddish coloured external gills.

The conservation situation of the species in the wild (and in fact all of the Ambystoma) though is far from improving sadly.
 
Last edited:
To get back to the original question - I'm sorry that it's horribly difficult to answer it.
Like @Tim May I saw tarsiers at Frankfurt and Bristol (although I didn't see them at RSCC) and I would be delighted to see one again. But I would be equally delighted to see an angwantibo again - I'm sure Tim remembers them in the Moonlight World at the Clore, together with the potto, slow and slender lorises (a full house in the early 1970s before the lorises were split into different species and the pygmy slow loris was kept in captivity). The diversity and distribution of the loris species makes that group interesting; while my impression, which may be incorrect, is that the differences between the tarsier species are relatively smaller. On the other hand, tarsiers are so cute and so interesting, that I can't vote against them.
So I'll have to cheat and my only reply to the question tarsier or loris is "Yes please"
 
To get back to the original question - I'm sorry that it's horribly difficult to answer it.
Like @Tim May I saw tarsiers at Frankfurt and Bristol (although I didn't see them at RSCC) and I would be delighted to see one again. But I would be equally delighted to see an angwantibo again - I'm sure Tim remembers them in the Moonlight World at the Clore, together with the potto, slow and slender lorises (a full house in the early 1970s before the lorises were split into different species and the pygmy slow loris was kept in captivity). The diversity and distribution of the loris species makes that group interesting; while my impression, which may be incorrect, is that the differences between the tarsier species are relatively smaller. On the other hand, tarsiers are so cute and so interesting, that I can't vote against them.
So I'll have to cheat and my only reply to the question tarsier or loris is "Yes please"
Interesting. I have always wanted to see a Angwantibo in the wild or in a zoo, and I have to admit I am a little jealous that you got to see one!:p. What was the last place that held angwantibos? They aren't in captivity anymore right?
 
I am going to vote for the lorises, I find both groups very fascinating and have enjoyed the more recent discoveries of species. Both groups are so distinct, the lorises, some of the few venomous mammals, and the tarsiers, the only primarily carnivorous primates. However, I hold a bit of a grudge on the tarsiers because at Ouwehands Zoo their enclosure was closed every time I tried to visit. When it was finally open when I was there, the animals had passed away.
 
Interesting. I have always wanted to see a Angwantibo in the wild or in a zoo, and I have to admit I am a little jealous that you got to see one!:p. What was the last place that held angwantibos? They aren't in captivity anymore right?
No angwantibos in Europe now: last ones at London until 1978 and Rotterdam until 1984 (if ZTL is accurate).
I have poor photos of an angwantibo at London and a tarsier at Frankfurt in our Gallery.
 
Last edited:
No angantibos in Europe now: last ones at London until 1978 and Rotterdam until 1984 (if ZTL is accurate).
I have poor photos of an angwantibo at London and a tarsier at Frankfurt in our Gallery.
Cool photos! The tarsier one especially is a really nice shot!
 
I am going to vote for the lorises, I find both groups very fascinating and have enjoyed the more recent discoveries of species. Both groups are so distinct, the lorises, some of the few venomous mammals, and the tarsiers, the only primarily carnivorous primates. However, I hold a bit of a grudge on the tarsiers because at Ouwehands Zoo their enclosure was closed every time I tried to visit. When it was finally open when I was there, the animals had passed away.

Lorises now in the lead again, I totally agree the venomous ability of lorises and the carnivory of tarsiers is something that definitely enhances my interest in both of them (though the venomous loris is slightly more interesting for me).

That is such a shame ! I feel your pain, I really do. :(

Of course it is no fault of the tarsiers, but I can see why you are disappointed as I would be too considering that it is such a once in a lifetime opportunity.
 
Last edited:
To get back to the original question - I'm sorry that it's horribly difficult to answer it.
Like @Tim May I saw tarsiers at Frankfurt and Bristol (although I didn't see them at RSCC) and I would be delighted to see one again. But I would be equally delighted to see an angwantibo again - I'm sure Tim remembers them in the Moonlight World at the Clore, together with the potto, slow and slender lorises (a full house in the early 1970s before the lorises were split into different species and the pygmy slow loris was kept in captivity). The diversity and distribution of the loris species makes that group interesting; while my impression, which may be incorrect, is that the differences between the tarsier species are relatively smaller. On the other hand, tarsiers are so cute and so interesting, that I can't vote against them.
So I'll have to cheat and my only reply to the question tarsier or loris is "Yes please"

Thank you for your reply Alan !

Yes, it certainly is a very difficult one indeed,:D. Even I have struggled to answer it decisively as I too find both the loris and the tarsier to be amazing animals.

As you have given a detailed answer regarding your personal experiences with the species and what interests you about each I'll make a one off exception, don't worry ;)

I dont think I've ever seen an angwantibo but I have seen the closely related potto still kept at ZSL which would have to be one of my favourite prosimians and primates in general. Did you notice anything in particular that set the angwantibo apart from the potto in its behaviour or physical appearance ?

Which do you find more aesthetically appealing in its appearance the loris or the tarsier ?


Great shot of the tarsier here ! It makes me really want to see one of these in the flesh as I have only seen rather desiccated taxidermy specimens in natural history museums such as Tring.
 
Like @Tim May I saw tarsiers at Frankfurt and Bristol (although I didn't see them at RSCC) ....I would be equally delighted to see an angwantibo again - I'm sure Tim remembers them in the Moonlight World at the Clore, together with the potto, slow and slender lorises...
No angwantibos in Europe now: last ones at London until 1978 and Rotterdam until 1984 (if ZTL is accurate).
Indeed I do remember when the Clore Pavilion housed angwantibo, potto, slender loris and slow loris. And I believe London Zoo holds the longevity record of thirteen years for a captive angwantibo.

However, despite making my first visit to Rotterdam in 1984, I have no recollection of seeing angwantibo there that year. (Incidentally my main memory of that particular visit was seeing my first takin.)
 
Back
Top