While the topic specifically mentions "monkey species with long eyelashes," the information provided actually focuses on two distinct primate groups: tarsiers and proboscis monkeys, with a brief mention of lemurs, specifically Indri lemurs, possessing long eyelashes. Therefore, this article will explore these primates, highlighting their unique characteristics and, where applicable, mentioning their notable eyelashes.
Tarsiers are small haplorhine primates belonging to the family Tarsiidae, the only extant family within the infraorder Tarsiiformes. Although fossils of tarsiiform primates have been discovered across Asia, Europe, and North America, modern tarsiers are confined to several Southeast Asian islands.
The phylogenetic placement of tarsiers within the order Primates has been a subject of debate throughout the 20th century. They have been classified alongside strepsirrhine primates in the suborder Prosimii, or as the sister group to the simians (Anthropoidea) in the infraorder Haplorhini. The analysis of SINE insertions, a type of macromutation in DNA, provides compelling evidence for the monophyly of Haplorhini. This evidence sways some systematists to conclusively favor a monophyletic Haplorrhini, even when other lines of evidence, such as DNA sequence data, remain ambiguous. Similar to simians, tarsiers have a mutation in the L-gulonolactone oxidase (GULO) gene, preventing their bodies from synthesizing vitamin C, necessitating its acquisition through diet.
Historically, all tarsiers were placed in the genus Tarsius, with debates regarding the division of species into two (a Sulawesi and a Philippine-western group) or three separate genera (Sulawesi, Philippine, and western groups). Species-level taxonomy is intricate, with morphology often proving less useful than vocalizations. Further complicating matters was the validity of certain names; for instance, the widely used T. dianae was found to be a junior synonym of T. dentatus, and T. spectrum is now considered a junior synonym of T.
In 2010, Colin Groves and Myron Shekelle proposed dividing the genus Tarsius into three genera: Carlito (Philippine tarsiers), Cephalopachus (western tarsiers), and Tarsius (eastern tarsiers). This division was based on differences in dentition, eye size, limb and hand length, tail tufts, tail sitting pads, the number of mammae, chromosome count, socioecology, vocalizations, and distribution. The senior taxon of the species, T. tarsier was restricted to the population of a Selayar island, requiring the resurrection of the defunct taxon T.
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A genetic study published in 2014, encompassing the range of the Philippine tarsier, revealed previously unrecognized genetic diversity. The established taxonomy recognizes three subspecies: Carlito syrichta syrichta from Leyte and Samar, C. syrichta fraterculus from Bohol, and C. syrichta carbonarius from Mindanao. The analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences suggested that ssp. syrichta and fraterculus may represent a single lineage, while ssp. carbonarius may represent two lineages - one occupying the majority of Mindanao and the other in northeastern Mindanao and the nearby Dinagat Island, termed the 'Dinagat-Caraga tarsier'.
Several Tarsier species are: Dian's tarsier (T), Makassar tarsier (T), Lariang tarsier (T), Niemitz's tarsier (T), Peleng tarsier (T), Sangihe tarsier (T), Gursky's spectral tarsier (T), Jatna's tarsier (T), Spectral tarsier (T), Siau Island tarsier (T), Pygmy tarsier (T), Wallace's tarsier (T).
Tarsiers are small animals characterized by their enormous eyes; each eyeball measures approximately 16 millimeters (0.63 in) in diameter, equaling or exceeding the size of their entire brain. This unique cranial anatomy is an adaptation to balance their large eyes and heavy head, allowing them to silently stalk prey. The tarsier's strong auditory sense is reflected in its distinct auditory cortex. Their elongated hind limbs, particularly the tarsus bones of the feet, give them their name and contribute to their specialization for vertical clinging and leaping.
The body length of tarsiers ranges from 10 to 15 cm, while their hind limbs are about twice as long (including the feet). They possess a slender tail measuring 20 to 25 cm. Their fingers are also elongated, with the third finger being approximately the same length as the upper arm. Most digits have nails, but the second and third toes of the hind feet have claws used for grooming.
The tarsier's brain exhibits a unique arrangement of connections between the eyes and the lateral geniculate nucleus, the main region of the thalamus receiving visual information, distinguishing it from other primates. Philippine tarsiers can hear frequencies as high as 91 kHz.
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All tarsier species are nocturnal, with varying levels of daytime activity among individuals. They are generally shy and sensitive to bright lights, loud noises, and physical contact. Due to their small size, tarsiers are vulnerable to various predators. They primarily inhabit the lower vegetation layers, facing threats from terrestrial predators like cats, lizards, and snakes, as well as aerial predators like owls and birds. Tarsiers are known to mob predators, emitting a warning vocalization that attracts other tarsiers to harass the predator, reducing the risk of attack. These groups usually consist of adult males, with occasional females.
Tarsiers are the only entirely carnivorous extant primates, primarily insectivorous, preying on invertebrates by leaping at them. Gestation lasts about six months, resulting in a single offspring. Young tarsiers are born furred with open eyes and can climb within a day of birth, reaching sexual maturity by the end of their second year.
A sanctuary near Corella on the Philippine island of Bohol has achieved some success in restoring tarsier populations. The Philippines Tarsier Foundation has established a large, semi-wild enclosure known as the Tarsier Research and Development Center, founded by Carlito Pizarras, also known as the "Tarsier man." This center allows visitors to observe tarsiers in their natural habitat.
The first quantitative study on the activity patterns of captive Philippine tarsiers (Tarsius syrichta) was conducted at the Subayon Conservation Centre for the Philippine Tarsier in Bilar, Bohol. Observations from December 2014 to January 2016 tracked the time allocated to normal activities during non-mating versus mating seasons for both female and male T. syrichta. During the non-mating season, scanning was a significant activity, followed by resting, foraging, and traveling. Feeding, scent-marking, self-grooming, social activities, and other activities were minimal. Scanning remained a common activity among paired sexes during the mating season.
The proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) is an arboreal Old World monkey characterized by its unusually large nose (or proboscis), reddish-brown skin, and long tail. It belongs to the subfamily Colobinae of the Old World monkeys.
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Two subspecies are recognized: N. l. larvatus and N. l. orientalis. However, the difference between the subspecies is small, and not all authorities recognize N. l. The proboscis monkey is a large species, being one of the largest monkey species native to Asia, with pronounced sexual dimorphism. Males have a head-body length of 66 to 76.2 cm (26.0 to 30.0 in) and typically weigh 16 to 22.5 kg (35 to 50 lb), with a maximum known weight of 30 kg (66 lb).
The proboscis monkey has a long coat; the fur on the back is bright orange, reddish brown, yellowish brown, or brick-red. The underfur is light-grey, yellowish, or greyish to light-orange. Infants are born with a blue-colored face that darkens to grey at 2.5 months. By 8.5 months of age, the face becomes cream-colored like the adults. Both sexes have bulging stomachs, resembling a pot belly. The large nose or proboscis of the male, which can exceed 10.2 cm (4.0 in) in length and hangs lower than the mouth, further adds to the dimorphism. The nose is smaller in the female and upturned in the young. Nevertheless, the nose of the female is still fairly large for a primate.
The proboscis monkey is endemic to the island of Borneo and can be found in all three nations that divide the island: Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia. It is most common in coastal areas and along rivers and is restricted to lowland habitats that may experience tides. The species favors dipterocarp, mangrove, and riverine forests and can also be found in swamp forests, stunted swamp forests, rubber forests, rubber plantations, limestone hill forests, nypa swamps, nibong swamps, tall swamp forests, tropical heath forests, and steep cliffs. This species usually stays within at least a kilometer from a water source and is perhaps the most aquatic of the primates, capable of swimming up to 20 m (66 ft) underwater.
Proboscis monkeys generally live in groups composed of one adult male, some adult females, and their offspring. All-male groups may also exist. Some individuals are solitary, mostly males. Monkey groups live in overlapping home ranges, with little territoriality, in a fission-fusion society, with groups gathering at sleeping sites as night falls. Bands arise when groups come together and slip apart, and sometimes groups may join to mate and groom. Groups gather during the day and travel together, but individuals only groom and play with those in their own group. One-male groups consist of 3 to 19 individuals, while bands can consist of as many as 60 individuals. Serious aggression is uncommon among the monkeys, but minor aggression does occur. Overall, members of the same bands are fairly tolerant of each other. A linear dominance hierarchy exists between females.
Males of one-male groups can stay in their groups for six to eight years. Females become sexually mature at the age of five years and experience sexual swelling, which involves the genitals becoming pink or reddened. At one site, matings largely take place between February and November, while births occur between March and May. Copulations tend to last for half a minute. The male will grab the female by the ankles or torso and mount her from behind. Both sexes will encourage mating, but they are not always successful. When soliciting, both sexes will make pouted faces. In addition, males will sometimes vocalize, and females will present their backsides and shake their head from side to side. Mating pairs are sometimes harassed by subadults. Proboscis monkeys may also engage in mounting with no reproductive purpose, such as playful and same-sex mounting, and females will attempt to initiate copulation even after they have conceived.
Gestation usually lasts 166-200 days or slightly more. Females tend to give birth at night or in the early morning. The mothers then eat the placenta and lick their infants clean. The young begin to eat solid foods at six weeks and are weaned at seven months old. The nose of a young male grows slowly until reaching adulthood.
Proboscis monkeys are known to make various vocalizations. When communicating the status of a group, males will emit honks. They have a special honk emitted towards infants, which is also used for reassurance. Males will also produce alarm calls to signal danger. Both sexes give threat calls, but each is different. In addition, females and immature individuals will emit so-called "female calls" when angry. Honks, roars, and snarls are made during low-intensity agonistic encounters.
As a seasonal folivore and frugivore, the proboscis monkey eats primarily fruit and leaves. It also eats flowers, seeds, and insects to a lesser extent. At least 55 different plant species are consumed, "with a marked preference for Eugenia sp., Ganua motleyana and Lophopetalum javanicum". Young leaves are preferred over mature leaves, and unripe fruits are preferred over ripe fruit. Being a seasonal eater, the proboscis monkey eats mostly fruit from January to May and mostly leaves from June to December.
Groups usually sleep in adjacent trees, tending to sleep near rivers, if they are nearby. Proboscis monkeys will start the day foraging and then rest further inland. Their daily activities consist of resting, traveling, feeding, and keeping vigilant. Occasionally, they chew their cud to allow more efficient digestion and food intake. As night approaches, the monkeys move back near the river and forage again.
Predators (potential or confirmed) of the proboscis monkey include crocodilians like false gharials and saltwater crocodiles, the Sunda clouded leopard, sun bears, and reticulated pythons as well as, for probably young or sickly monkeys, large eagles (such as the crested serpent eagle or black eagle), large owls, and monitor lizards. Monkeys will cross rivers at narrows or cross arboreally if possible.
The proboscis monkey is assessed as endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and listed in Appendix I of CITES. Its total population has decreased by more than 50% in the past 36-40 years to 2008 due to ongoing habitat loss because of logging and oil palm plantations, and hunting in some areas due to the species being treated as a delicacy, as well as its use in traditional Chinese medicine. The population is fragmented: the largest remaining populations are found in Kalimantan; there are far fewer in Sarawak, Brunei, and Sabah. The proboscis monkey is protected by law in all regions of Borneo.
While the primary focus of the provided text revolves around tarsiers and proboscis monkeys, a brief mention is made of Indri lemurs, noting their "impossibly long eyelashes." Indri lemurs are the largest living lemurs, known for their distinctive songs that resonate through the forests of Madagascar. Their calls, often compared to whalesong, serve as a form of communication and territorial marking. While the text humorously suggests a possible connection between their long eyelashes and singing ability, it's more likely that the eyelashes serve a protective function, shielding their eyes from debris in their forest habitat.
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