Locomotion, Postures, and Substrate Use in Captive Southern Pygmy Slow Lorises (Strepsirrhini, Primates): Implications for Conservation

Studies of positional (=locomotor and postural) behavior are central to understanding how animals interact with the challenges imposed by their environment and are crucial for conservation management. The present study investigates, for the first time, the positional behavior and substrate use of the endangered southern pygmy slow loris <i>Xanthonycticebus pygmaeus</i>. Despite their very specialized morphology and ecology, the positional behavior of lorises is understudied. Behavioral data were collected using 30-s scan instant sampling on seven captive animals housed in a large, enriched enclosure of the Poznań Nowe Zoo (Poland) during February-June 2013. Pygmy slow lorises were almost exclusively arboreal and most activities occurred on multiple substrates (82.93%). Small (57.91%) and large (28.28%) substrates were extensively used. Horizontal (42.11%) and oblique (38.47%) substrates dominated. Clamber (39.39%), quadrupedalism (33.77%), and vertical climb (17.62%) were the main locomotor modes. Standing was the dominant posture (47.23%), followed by hanging (27.32%) and clinging (11.31%). Our results concur with the limited observations available on other lorisines; pygmy slow lorises employed a diverse and flexible positional repertoire as an adaptation to the exploitation of the continuous forest layers with intertwined small substrates of various inclinations. Consequently, protecting and managing these habitats, supported by ex situ reintroduction programs, can effectively contribute to the conservation of the species' populations.