
Call types of the small-eared greater galago (Otolemur garnettii)
Supplement
Bettridge, C.M., Kenworthy, S.P., Butynski, T.M., De Jong, Y.A. & De Kort, S.R. 2019. Vocal repertoire and intraspecific variation within loud calls of the small-eared greater galago (Otolemur garnettii) in Tanzania and Kenya. Folia Primatologica 90(5).
Recordings by the authors.
Call Name | Call Description | Example |
Squawk | Single or double hat-shaped unit loud calls. Second unit often brief. Often given as single repeated units with uniform pauses of >1 second. |
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Choral Repeated Squawk | Two or more squawk units with long pauses between an individual’s bout. Overlaps with squawks from at least one other individual. |
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Clustered Squawk | Two or more squawk units with short (<1 second) interunit pauses. Can be irregularly spaced. Often precedes a repeated squawk. Can induce a trailing call from another individual (ca. 8% of recorded cases). |
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Trailing Call | Rapid series of loud notes, trailing towards the end. Often fluctuates in frequency within a unit. Often starts with one or two low and slow units, building in intensity towards a peak and trailing away towards the end. Often with more notes at the end. Can be repeated. Can induce a responsive trailing call from another individual (ca. 50% of recorded cases). |
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Creak | Units of short duration, repeated in regularly spaced intervals. |
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Knock | Units of short duration, repeated in regularly spaced intervals. More defined structure than creaks (tent-shaped). |
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Cackle | Series of drawn-out descending notes. Sometimes containing multiple notes per unit. |
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Chatter | Undulating in pitch, often high. Not a consistent and distinguishable call type. Appears to be a random mix of cackles, knocks, creaks and squawks. |
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Zipping Call | Rapidly ascending and descending calls. More consistent than chatter. |
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Moans/ Groans | Low pitch rumbling notes between other calls. |
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Squeal | High pitch notes, inconsistent in structure. | |

Small-eared greater galago Otolemur garnettii, Voo, Kenya. Photograph by Yvonne A. de Jong & Tom M. Butynski.