The Genera and Species of Tarsiidae

Colin Groves*, Myron Shekelle

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    57 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    We revise the taxonomy of the primate family Tarsiidae. We classify extant tarsiers in 3 genera-Tarsius, Cephalopachus, and Carlito-each of which originated in the Miocene, or earlier, and each of which is allopatrically distributed within a distinct biogeographic region: Sulawesi, Sundaland, and Greater Mindanao, respectively. Within the genus Tarsius, formerly regarded as a single species, Tarsius spectrum, we recognize 8 allopatric and parapatric species, 9 if the inclusion of pumilus is warranted, and note that more are likely to be described in the near future. We restrict Tarsius tarsier, the senior taxon of the genus, to the island of Selayar, off the tip of the southwestern peninsula of Sulawesi. In doing so, it is required that we resurrect Tarsius fuscus Fischer 1804, for the population of tarsiers from the southwestern peninsula near the city of Makassar. We note that neither Cephalopachus nor Carlito has been the subject of anywhere near as much field research as has Tarsius; thus we question if the currently accepted α taxonomy for these genera is based on knowledge or ignorance.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1071-1082
    Number of pages12
    JournalInternational Journal of Primatology
    Volume31
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Dec 2010

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