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This data article presents the first complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of an endangered slow loris subspecies, Nycticebus coucang insularis Robinson, 1917 from Tioman Island, Pahang. Once considered as extinct, an individual of the subspecies was captured alive from the island during the 2016 Biodiversity Inventory Programme as highlighted in the related research article entitled "Rediscovery of Nycticebus coucang insularis Robinson, 1917 (Primates: Lorisidae) at Tioman Island and its mitochondrial genetic assessment" Rovie-Ryan et al., 2018. Using MiSeq™ sequencing system, the entire mitogenome recovered is 16,765 bp in length, made up of 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and one control region. The mitogenome has been deposited at DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank under the accession number NC_040292.1/MG515246.

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Several slow loris (Nycticebus) sightings have occurred on the island of Pulau Tioman, Peninsular Malaysia, from 2011 to 2018. Records discussed here represent the first confirmed sightings and photographic evidence of Nycticebus on Tioman since its discovery in 1915, refuting presumptions that the Tioman slow loris is extinct. Although originally considered a subspecies of the Sunda slow loris (Nycticebus coucang), several morphological characteristics apparent in all observed individuals, including the white interocular stripe, rufous colouration and pale dorsal stripe, are similar to the Philippine slow loris (Nycticebus menagensis). Further, the broad snout and ears may be unique to this population and suggest that the population may be distinct. I, therefore, recommend that future studies consider the taxonomic status of remote and isolated Nycticebus populations given the possibility that they may represent distinct and unrecognised taxa.

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OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that the vertical leaper Galago senegalensis will have epaxial extensor muscles with a fast fiber phenotype to facilitate rapid spinal extension during leaping in comparison to the slow-moving quadruped Nycticebus coucang. To test this, we determined the percentage of fiber cross-sectional area (%CSA) devoted to Type 2 fibers in epaxial muscles of G. senegalensis compared to those of N. coucang. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to identify Type 1, Type 2, and hybrid fibers in iliocostalis, longissimus, and multifidus muscles of G. senegalensis (n = 3) and N. coucang (n = 3). Serial muscle sections were used to estimate and compare proportions, cross-sectional areas (CSAs), and %CSAs of Type 1, Type 2, and hybrid fibers between species. RESULTS: Epaxial muscles of G. senegalensis were comprised predominantly of Type 2 fibers with large CSAs (%CSA range ≈ 83-94%; range of mean CSA = 1,218-1,586 µm2 ). N. coucang epaxial muscles were comprised predominantly Type 1 fibers with large CSAs (%CSA range ≈ 69-77%; range of mean CSA = 983-1,220 µm2 ). DISCUSSION: The predominance of Type 2 fibers in G. senegalensis epaxial muscles facilitates rapid muscle excursion and spinal extension during leaping, and is consistent with their relatively long muscle fibers. The predominance of Type 1 fibers in N. coucang epaxial muscles may aid in maintaining stable postures during bridging and cantilevering behaviors characteristic of slow-climbing. These histochemical characteristics highlight the major divergent locomotor repertoires of G. senegalensis and N. coucang.

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Recent reports suggest that dietary ethanol, or alcohol, is a supplemental source of calories for some primates. For example, slow lorises (Nycticebus coucang) consume fermented nectars with a mean alcohol concentration of 0.6% (range: 0.0-3.8%). A similar behaviour is hypothesized for aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis) based on a single point mutation (A294V) in the gene that encodes alcohol dehydrogenase class IV (ADH4), the first enzyme to catabolize alcohol during digestion. The mutation increases catalytic efficiency 40-fold and may confer a selective advantage to aye-ayes that consume the nectar of Ravenala madagascariensis. It is uncertain, however, whether alcohol exists in this nectar or whether alcohol is preferred or merely tolerated by nectarivorous primates. Here, we report the results of a multiple-choice food preference experiment with two aye-ayes and a slow loris. We conducted observer-blind trials with randomized, serial dilutions of ethanol (0-5%) in a standard array of nectar-simulating sucrose solutions. We found that both species can discriminate varying concentrations of alcohol; and further, that both species prefer the highest available concentrations. These results bolster the hypothesized adaptive function of the A294V mutation in ADH4, and a connection with fermented foods, both in aye-ayes and the last common ancestor of African apes and humans.

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A slow loris, Nycticebus coucang , was brought to Ji Dong Beom Animal Hospital from the National Institute of Ecology due to globe enlargement and frequent blepharospasm of the right eye. Ophthalmic diagnoses included glaucoma with posterior lens luxation and cataract. Because this animal was on exhibition at the National Institute of Ecology, preservation of the eyeball by intraocular silicone implantation following evisceration rather than enucleation was selected. Before the surgery, examination of the normal left eye was performed using Retcam and spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Three months later, the globe size was almost the same as the left eye; however, corneal edema remained.

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Cancer is one of the leading health concerns for human and animal health. Since the tumorigenesis process is not completely understood and it is known that some viruses can induce carcinogenesis, it is highly important to identify novel oncoviruses and extensively study underlying oncogenic mechanisms. Here, we investigated a case of diffuse histiocytic sarcoma in a 22 year old slow loris (Nycticebus coucang), using a broad spectrum virus discovery technique. A novel parvovirus was discovered and the phylogenetic analysis performed on its fully sequenced genome demonstrated that it represents the first member of a novel genus. The possible causative correlation between this virus and the malignancy was further investigated and 20 serum and 61 organ samples from 25 animals (N. coucang and N. pygmaeus) were screened for the novel virus but only samples collected from the originally infected animal were positive. The virus was present in all tested organs (intestine, liver, spleen, kidneys, and lungs) and in all banked serum samples collected up to 8 years before death. All attempts to identify a latent viral form (integrated or episomal) were unsuccessful and the increase of variation in the viral sequences during the years was consistent with absence of latency. Since it is well known that parvoviruses are dependent on cell division to successfully replicate, we hypothesized that the virus could have benefitted from the constantly dividing cancer cells and may not have been the cause of the histiocytic sarcoma. It is also possible to conjecture that the virus had a role in delaying the tumor progression and this report might bring new exciting opportunities in recognizing viruses to be used in cancer virotherapy.

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This study examines the positional and activity behavior of a captive slow loris, Nycticebus coucang. The male individual was housed in a primate facility providing a seminatural environment and was subjected to a series of videotape recordings from which 1,878 point observations were taken. The enclosure was designed to allow maximum flexibility of substrate use. Quantitative information detailing activity, positional mode, and substrate geometry was collected using a checklist of 15 variables. Data were tabulated and compared as frequency distributions to describe activity budgets, the use of locomotor and postural modes, and the relation of posture to activity behavior and substrate geometry. The results indicated that almost 90% of the active day may be devoted to behaviors directly or indirectly related to dietary functions. For locomotor behavior, both climbing and walking were associated with the use of diagonal couplets. The loris devoted 52% of its positional behavior to postural modes, favoring the quadrupedal stand, triplets, and sitting. Suspension was found to be used more often in posture than locomotion. Overall, the loris's repertory of positional modes accommodated a wide range of substrate geometries.