Synopsis of Galago species characteristics

At the time of the symposium, "Variability Within the Galagos," at the 1986 IPS Congress, most participants were still using Hill's (1953) classification and nomenclature of galago species. All participants expressed some degree of dissatisfaction with Hill's species groups. Many described how it was proving increasingly problematic and inadequate as a means to organize newly collected laboratory, museum, and field data. By the end of the symposium, a consensus about species diversity had emerged which synthesized the current state of knowledge about galagos. The consensus of the participants was that the 11 species, identified by Olson (1979, 1986), most closely approximates the available data about galago species diversity. The 11 species are described.