✔ What is the scientific name of the animal?

Classification

 Kingdom - Animalia (animals)

 Phylum – Chordata
 Subphylum - Vertebrata (vertebrates)
 Class - Mammalia (mammals)
 Order - Primates (primates)
 Family - Tarsiidae (tarsiers)
 Genus - Tarsius (tarsiers)
 Species - Tarsius pumilus (pygmy tarsier) – pumilus because dwarf

✔ What is their conservation level?

classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN
2015), appearing on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

✔ Are they critically endangered?

 No

✔ Why are they endangered?

 They have a small area of occupancy and are known from only two isolated locations –
Mt. Nokilalaki and Mt. Rantemario (scientists have been unable to exhaustively study the
species)

 The species is likely undergoing a decline in the quality of habitat from expanding human
settlements.
 Habitat loss and degradation
 Hunting and fires set by humans
 Illegal logging
 Transmigration
 Local clearance

 Some areas of Central Sulawesi near known pygmy tarsier sites are conflict zones, where
factional fighting has seen the dislocation of large human populations that are then
resettled in refugee camps.

THREATS:
  Residential & commercial development – housing and urban areas

 Human intrusion & disturbance – war, civil unrest, and military exercises

 Agriculture & aquaculture – annual and perennial non-timber crops

 Its distribution is in all likelihood restricted to isolated mountain tops; it is known to

occur in only two isolated locations. One threat to these habitats is the
encroachment of human populations into montane regions to satisfy the needs of a
growing human population. The destruction of montane forests in more densely
populated south Sulawesi indicates that this fate may well be in store for Central
Sulawesi's montane forests as the human population expands. Some areas of Central
Sulawesi near known Tarsius pumilus sites are conflict zones, where factional
fighting has seen the dislocation of large human populations that are then resettled
in refugee camps. One such site lies along the main route to the Rorekatimbu
capture locality.

✔ Fun Facts about the animal to draw interest.

 Also called mountain tarsier, the lesser spectral tarsier, or the Sulawesi Mountain
Tarsier.
 Believed extinct until rediscoveries in 2000 and 2008
 The pygmy tarsier was believed to have become extinct in the early 20th century.
Then, in 2000, Indonesian scientists accidentally killed one while trapping rats.

 The first pygmy tarsiers seen alive since the 1920s were found by a research
team led by Dr. Sharon Gursky and Ph.D. student Nanda Grow from Texas A&M
University on Mount Rore Katimbo in Lore Lindu National Park in August 2008.
The two males and single female (a fourth escaped) were captured using nets,
and were radio collared to track their movements. As the first live pygmy tarsiers
seen in 80-plus years, these captures dispelled the belief among some
primatologists that the species was extinct.

 Listed as Data Deficient by the IUCN, there is not enough information on their numbers
or the stability therein to determine a status
 Can rotate their head 180 degrees
 Being acrobatic comes natural to the pygmy tarsier as they can leap over 16 feet in a
single jump!

✔ General information: Habitat, Eating Habits, Life Span, etc.

HABITAT

 The Indonesian island of Sulawesi is home to the pygmy tarsier (Tarsius pumilus) endemic
  Pygmy tarsiers come from Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. They inhabit montane cloud
forests in the central Sulawesi Mountains at altitudes from 1800 to 2200 m. They
often inhabit the lower canopy among trunks of saplings and the forest floor.

 Sulawesi is one of the four Greater Sunda Islands. The world's eleventh-largest
island, it is situated east of Borneo, west of the Maluku Islands, and south of
Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago.
 The Greater Sunda Islands (Indonesian and Malay: Kepulauan Sunda Besar) are four
tropical islands situated within Indonesian Archipelago, in the Pacific Ocean. The
islands, Borneo, Java, Sulawesi and Sumatra, are internationally recognized for their
ecological diversity and rich culture.

 Sulawesi is part of Wallacea, meaning it has a mix of Indomalayan and Australasian

species that crossed the island by crossing deep-water oceanic barriers.

 Tarsius pumilus is among the least known primates in existence. It has only recently
(August 2008) been rediscovered in the wild, captured, radio-collared,
photographed, and filmed. Morphological analysis of museum specimens indicates
adaptations for life in colder, montane cloud forests (Musser and Dagosto 1987).
Moss forests are characteristic of the presumed habitat.

 Hilly and mountainous regions in elevations between 1,800–2,200 m with trees

covered in liverworts and mosses. Feeds on live animal prey as insects and lizards.
Nocturnal and arboreal in habit.

 Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane

EATING HABITS

 Pygmy tarsiers are insectivorous and favor arthropods with heavily keratinized exoskeletons,
such as spiders.
 Small vertebrates are also included in the pygmy tarsier meal plan.
 Pygmy tarsiers drink by lapping water.

LIFE SPAN

 Lifespan for these tiny primates is unknown, although scientists posit it to be between 12
and 20 years. 

SIZE & WEIGHT

 The pygmy tarsier is about the size of a small mouse. Weighing less than 2 oz (57 g) and
measuring less than 4 in (10 cm) from head to tail, with the tail accounting for most of this
length, pygmy tarsiers are about 75 percent the size of other tarsier species.
  Tarsiers get their namesake from the incredibly elongated tarsus bones in their feet. Their
hind legs and feet, combined, are twice as long as their body!

APPEARANCE

  A modest reddish-brown or gray-colored pelage cloaks their diminutive body. 

 Their soft fur is longer and thicker than other tarsier species, an adaptation to the
sometimes cold and wet climate of their forested montane habitat, and their long, scaly,
and rat-like tail is hairless from its base to about one-third of its total length before it turns
into a furry plume.

 This animal’s coat is longer and curlier than that of other tarsiers, perhaps as an
adaptation to its cold damp environment. Its coat is very soft, ranging in color from
buff to grayish brown or dark brown.

HABITS & LIFESTYLE

 Tarsiers are crepuscular or nocturnal and are mainly arboreal (live their lives in
trees). During the day they spend most of their time amongst dense vegetation
sleeping on vertical branches or perhaps in hollow trees. When disturbed during
resting they may move up or down the branch facing the threat, their mouth open,
and their teeth bared. When they are waking, they continuously crinkle or furl their
ears. These animals spend much time looking for prey while low down on tree
trunks. They do not make nests but may return to sleep in the same tree.

 Unlike other tarsiers, the pygmy tarsier does not mark territorial boundaries by
means of scent glands. As with all primates, tactile communication between Pygmy
tarsier mothers and offspring, as well as between mates, is important.

 This species of primate is known as precocial (young are relatively mature and

mobile from the moment of birth).

 These little pygmies are ambush predators. They have even been seen catching prey
in midflight by pouncing on their victims, with the use of their elongated hind limbs

MATING
 The pygmy tarsier is monogamous (mates for life). Some groups, however, have
demonstrated polygyny (one male mating with multiple females).
 Females are pregnant for around 6 months and give birth to a single infant.
 ✔ Why do they matter and what makes them important?

 As insectivores, these small primates help keep insect populations’ structure within their
environment. Their diet impacts local food webs (interdependent food chains) and they are
prey for diurnal raptors.
 Feral cats, small carnivores, owls, large snakes, and large birds of prey all hunt these
diminutive critters.

✔ How can humans help?

 All species must be protected from illegal hunting and capture.

 Less human intervention for the tarsiers, the better.
 They should not be shown to the public as pets.
 Local communities should be more engaged in the protection of these primates since they
share the same ecosystem with wildlife.
 Existing wildlife laws must be enforced and local groups must encourage the government to
fulfill its mission to apply laws.

CONSERVATION ACTIONS:
 It is listed on CITES Appendix II. The species is known to occur in at least one protected area
(Lore Lindu National Park), although the form likely receives some protection on Mount
Rantemario (M. Shekelle pers. comm.). Protected in Lore Lindu National Park and somewhat
protected in Mount RanteMario.

References:
Pygmy Tarsier - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio. (n.d.). https://animalia.bio/pygmy-
tarsier

Robinson, S., & Man, C. (2022). The Eyes of the Pygmy Tarsier. Critter Science.
https://critter.science/the-eyes-of-the-pygmy-tarsier/

Scientist, N. (2008, November 19). Real-life 'gremlin' rediscovered in the wild. New Scientist.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16078-real-life-gremlin-rediscovered-in-the-wild/

Shekelle, M. (2015, November 23). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Tarsius pumilus. IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/21490/17977980
 PHYLUM CHORDATA

General Characteristics of Phylum Chordata

 Although not the largest, Chordates are the most diverse phylum in the animal kingdom.
 Chordates have bilateral symmetry at some stage of the life cycle
 A degree of cephalization
 Have a closed circulatory system (the blood is closed at all times within vessels – it does not fill
body cavities).

Some anatomical terms before we begin:

·      Anterior – Towards the front of the animal

·      Posterior – Towards the tail of the animal

·      Ventral – Towards the belly of the animal
·      Dorsal – Towards the back of the animal

Figure 1: Open vs. Closed circulatory systems

 Chordates must have these four characteristics at some stage in their life cycle.

1. Notochord
 The notochord is a rigid structure that lies just in front of the nerve chord.
 Support and protects the nerve chord.
 In vertebrates, the notochord is present in embryonic development and later develops into the
vertebral column.

2. Dorsal Nerve Cord

 In the vertebrates, the vertebrae (developed notochord) surround and protect the nerve cord
creating the spine.
 Hollow structure containing the nerve chord.

3. Pharyngeal (throat) Slits

 Only visible during embroyonic stages.

 In water-breathing animals these become

gills or gill slits.
 In air-breathing animals, these have many roles – not involved in respiration in human.
F2: Amphixous with labelled Chordate characteristics

4. Post Anal Tail

 Extension of nerve cord from behind anus.

Along with these traits, chordates also have an endoskeleton

 Varies greatly among chordates – from simple notochord (figure 2) to human skeleton.

 Advantages of endoskeleton

 More flexible -> ability to grow is easier

 Grows with organism
 Less energy expenditure
 Can support greater weight without being impractically heavy.

 Disadvantages of endoskeletons

 Doesn’t provide overall protection

Exoskeleton Endoskeleton

Doesn’t provide overall protection,

Provides overall protection (External) however most key organs are well
  protected in many (skull, spine, rib cage in
humans as example)

Must be molted for organism to grow –

Does not have to be molted – grows with
makes organism vulnerable during molting
organism
times

Size restricted – if organism is too big the
weight will be overwhelming
Ex: Largest terrestrial animal with
exoskeleton: Coconut crab (Birgus latro)
Can support greater weight
Ex: Largest terrestrial animal with
endoskeleton: African Bush Elephant
(Loxodonta africana)
 Higher energy expenditure Lower energy expenditure

Made of chitin (arthropods), calcium Made of bone and/or cartilage.

carbonate

 Subphylum Cephalochordata

 Invertebrate chordates (no vertebral column)

 Maintain all four key characteristics throughout all life stages.
 The pharynx has ~100 pharyngeal slits  which are used in feeding (filter food particles out of the
water).
Primitive or simple -> similar to chordate ancestors that gave rise to vertebrates.
F3: Unlabeled Amphixous

 Ex. Lancets (Amphixous)

 Subphylum Tunicata (Urochordata)

 Invertebrate chordates (no vertebral column)
 Have all four characteristics during larval stage but not adult form.
 Larval stage are free swimming
 Most adults tunicates are sessile (non-motile) and filter feeding (pharyngeal slits are modified
for filter feeding).
 The larvaceans are a group of tunicates that remain in the larval form and do not become the
sessile adult.
 Potential evolutionary link to free swimming fishes.Figure 5: Tunicate larvae (b) and adult
tunicate (c). Adult tunicates lose most of the chordate characteristics.
 Figure 5: Tunicate larvae (b) and adult tunicate
Figure 4: Adult Bluebell tunicates (c). Adult tunicates lose most of the chordate
characteristics. (Clavelina moluccensis)

 Subphylum Vertebrata
 Members of subphylum vertebrate are called vertebrates.
 During development, the notochord is replaced with segmented series of bones called
vertebrae. The dorsal nerve cord is modified into the spinal cord and brain in vertebrates. The
vertebrae provide flexibility and protection to the spinal cord, which is protected by the neural
arch.
 Vertebrate characteristics:

1. Vertebrae made of bone or cartilage that surround and protect the dorsal nerve cord. The
vertebrae form a vertebral column or spine.
2. A cranium or skull to protect the brain.
3. An endoskeleton composed of bone or cartilage.

 Major evolutionary advancement – presence of a vertebral column, which protects the nerve
cord
 Vertebrates first appear in the fossil record 550 million years ago.
 Today there are ~ 60,000 species of vertebrates.
 About 55% of vertebrates are fish.

 We divided subphylum vertebrata into seven classes:

1. Class Agnatha (Jawless fish)
2. Class Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous fish)
3. Class Osteichthyes (Bony fish)
4. Class Amphibia (Amphibians)
5. Class Reptilia (Reptiles)
6. Class Aves (Birds)
7. Class Mammalia (Mammals)

F6: Development of vertebrae

 Most biologists divide Tarsiidae into three genera (Tarsius, Cephalopachus,

and Carlito [Philippine tarsiers]) and recognize 13 or more species. 

 Philippine tarsier is Carlito syrichta

o Listed as near threatened by the IUCN
o Weighs 80 – 165 grams
o 3.35 – 6.30 inches in height
o Gestation lasts 178 days.
o Are precocial, and offspring are soon able to follow their kin.
o Tend to prefer lowland forests and are distributed across southern Philippine islands
such as Bohol, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao.

 Pygmy tarsier is Tarsius pumilus

o Listed as endangered by the IUCN
o Easily distinguished from other tarsiers by their small body size, which averages
approximately 50 grams, less than half the size of lowland tarsier species.
o Their head and body length (3.15 – 3.94 inches) are approximately 75% that of other
tarsiers.
o Have long gestation period of around 6 months and produce only 1 offspring per
year.
o Precocial also.
o Restricted to very high mountainous forests of Sulawesi, Indonesia.