SPECIATION IN THE LESSER GALAGOS

Species and their origins remain one of the outstanding enigmas of evo lutionary biology. Many different views of the problem exist, but few have concrete predictions that open the problem to investigation. This study formalises predictions arising from the Recognition Concept of species (RC) and the Organization Theory of Speciation (OTS), and appl ies them to the pattern demonstrated by the lesser galago radiation. T he RC and OTS are in agreement that one of the primary adaptive respon ses during animal speciation events involves the system of sexual reco gnition and reproduction, and indeed the lesser galago taxa show signi ficant divergences in their communication systems relating to specific -mate recognition. On the other hand, only the RC predicts a concomita nt adaptive response to the ecological conditions prevailing during sp eciation, and there are strong indications of shifts in habitat prefer ence among these taxa. The predictions of the RC are supported above t hose of the OTS.