Wow ! ! ! The Smallest Monkey......

The Philippine Tarsier


The Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta or Carlito syrichta), known locally as the Maumag in Cebuano/Visayan and Mamag in Luzon, is an endangered species of tarsier endemic to the Philippines.  It is found in the southeastern part of the archipelago, particularly in the islands of Bohol Island, Samar Island, Leyte Island and Mindanao. It is a member of the approximately 45 million year old family Tarsiidae, whose name is derived from its elongated "tarsus" or ankle bone.

Its geographic range also includes Maripipi Island, Siargao Island, Basilan Island and Dinagat Island. Tarsiers have also been reported in Sarangani, although they may be different subspecies.

It was only introduced to Western biologists in the 18th century.

Anatomy and morphology

The Philippine Tarsier is not a large animal; it measures only about 85 to 160 millimetres (3.35 to 6.30 in) in height, making it one of the smallest primates. The small size makes it difficult to spot. The mass for males is between 80–160 g (2.8–5.6 oz), usually lighter for females, somewhat heavier than otherTarsius such as the Pygmy Tarsier. The average adult is about the size of a human fist and will fit very comfortably in the human hand.

Like all tarsiers, the Philippine Tarsier's eyes are fixed in its skull; they cannot turn in their sockets. Instead, a special adaptation in the neck allows its round head to be rotated 180 degrees. The eyes are disproportionately large, having the largest eye-to-body size ratio of all mammals. These huge eyes provide this nocturnal animal with excellent night vision. The large membranous ears are mobile, appearing to be almost constantly moving, allowing the tarsier to hear any movement.

The Philippine Tarsier has thin, rough fur which is colored gray to dark brown. The narrow tail, usually used for balance, is naked or bald except for a tuft of hair at the end, and is about twice the body length. Its elongated "tarsus," or ankle bone, which gives the tarsier its name, allows it to jump at least three meters from tree to tree without having to touch the ground. Its long digits are tipped with rounded pads that allow T. syrichta to cling easily to trees and to grip almost any surface. The thumb is not truly opposable, but the first toe is. All of the digits have flattened nails, except for the second and third toes, which have sharp claws specialized for grooming.

Range and distribution

The Philippine Tarsier, as its name suggests, is endemic to the Philippine archipelago. T. syrichta populations are generally found in the southeastern part of the archipelago. Established populations are present primarily on the islands of Bohol, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao. It has also been found on various isolated islands within its known range, such as Maripipi Island, Siargao Island, Basilan Island and Dinagat Island.

Habitat

The Philippine Tarsier's habitat is the second growth, secondary forest, and primary forest from sea level to 700 m (2,300 ft). Its habitat also includes tropical rainforest with dense vegetation and trees that offer it protection like tall grasses, bushes and bamboo shoots. It prefers dense, low-level vegetation in secondary forests, with perching sites averaging 2 meters above the ground.

Ecosystem roles

Besides human hunters, feral cats banished from nearby communities are the species' main predators, though some large birds are known to prey on it as well. Because of its nocturnal and arboreal habits, the Philippine Tarsier is most likely to fall prey to owls, or to small carnivores which it can encounter in its canopy homes.

Communication

The Philippine Tarsier uses varied means of communication. Although less vocal than many primate species, it uses calls which are often associated with territorial maintenance and male-female spacing. Its "loud call" is a loud piercing single note. When content, it emits a sound similar to a soft sweet bird-like twill. And when several tarsiers come together, they have a chirping, locust-like sound.

Its vocal communication is the distress call made by infants when they are separated from their mothers. It is also the call made by males to their mates during mating season. Its olfactory communication is the marking of a scent from the circumoral gland which the female uses to mark her mate with the gland located around the mouth. It is also the marking of a male's territory with the use of urine. Its tactile communication is the social grooming done when one tarsier grooms the other, removing dead skin and parasites, observed in females on adult males, as well as in females on their offspring.

Where to Meet the Tarsier

You can visit the tarsier at the Philippine Tarsier Foundation, and see it in its natural habitat.

The Philippine Tarsier Foundation,
Km. 14 Canapnapan Corella, Bohol 6300 Philippines
Tel: (0912) 5163375
Mobile: (0918) 6021326
Email: tarsier@mozcom.com
Website: http://www.philippinetarsier.org/.




Please avoid visiting the tarsiers kept in cages along Loboc river. Here, these shy animals have a miserable live, and normally don't survive for long.

A weird species.....

ROMANESCO BROCCOLI

Romanesco broccoli, or Roman cauliflower, is an edible flower of the species Brassica oleracea, and a variant form of cauliflower.

DON’T FORGET TO REMEMBER ! ! ! ! ! !

• Powerful vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage fight against colon, breast and prostate gland cancer. Being loaded with beta-carotene is another of the many health benefits of broccoli. Beta-carotene converts to Vitamin A once inside the body, becoming an antioxidant.
• Incentives to eat cabbage are certainly significant, not just because it tastes good, but because it offers many health benefits. A cup of cabbage (approximately 150 grams) has only 33 calories.

Romanesco is an edible flower and very healthy too. Different countries call it different names like: Romanesco Broccoli, Roman Cauliflower, Broccoflower, and Romanesco Cauliflower. God created this Vegetable with a very beautiful design. At the same time, not only is it beautiful on the outside, it is also very good and healthy on the inside. The nutrients that you can find in a Romanesco are:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B1, Thiamin
- Vitamin B2, Riboflavin
- Vitamin B3, Niacin
- Vitamin B5, Pantothenic Acid
- Vitamin B6, Pyridoxine
- Vitamin B9, Folate
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Dietary Fiber
- Manganese
- Magnesium
- Protein
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Tryptophan
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids

The Health Benefits that people can very possibly get from Romanesco Cauliflower or Broccoli are:
- Improves Eyesight
- Supports Vision
- Helps fight viral infections
- Protects from free radicals
- Lowers Risk of many cancers
- Improves healing
- Helps protect from colds
- Helps protect from flu
- Helps protect from infections
- Improves Lung health
- Supports red cell health
- Improves Bone health
- Improves Brain function
- Reduces Depression
- Reduces Constipations
- Improves Cholesterol Levels
- Improves Blood Sugar Levels
- Improves Blood Pressure Levels
- Supports Muscles
- Supports Nerves
- Supports Heart Health

HISTORY

Romanesco broccoli was first documented in Italy (as broccolo romanesco) in the sixteenth century. It is sometimes called broccoflower, but that name is also applied to green-curded cauliflower cultivars.

DESCRIPTION

Also known as coral broccoli, Romanesco broccoli is rich in vitamin C, fiber, and carotenoids.

The vegetable resembles a cauliflower, but is of a light green color and the inflorescence (the bud) has an approximate self-similar character, with the branched meristems making a logarithmic spiral. In this sense the broccoli's shape approximates a natural fractal; each bud is composed of a series of smaller buds, all arranged in yet another logarithmic spiral. This self-similar pattern continues at several smaller levels.

In appearance, Broccoli Romanesco is truly bizarre. The vegetable illustrates a fractal pattern, growing a spiral head composed of conical florets which also prove to be spirals upon close examination. The vegetable has a greenish tinge, and giant waxy leaves which can almost entirely conceal the edible heads of the plant. Mathematicians sometimes use the plant to illustrate fractals, since it is stunning to look at in addition to being edible after class.

FRACTAL PATTERN

The head of Romanesco broccoli is a visually striking example of an approximate fractal in nature. The pattern is only an approximate fractal since the pattern eventually terminates when the feature size becomes sufficiently small. In computer graphics, its pattern has been modeled as a recursive helical arrangement of cones.

GROWING

Broccoli Romanesco grows best in temperate climates over the cooler months, preferring temperatures no higher than 25°C (77°F) and no lower than -2°C (28°F).
It requires a partially shaded location with plenty of space and slightly alkaline soil.
These plants grow upto 3 ft in height.

COOKING

Although in Italy there are a number of recipes dedicated to Romanesco broccoli, in the rest of the world it is usually prepared like conventional broccoli. Like conventional broccoli, overcooking Romanesco will result in a texture some people find unpleasant. The texture is more tender than cauliflower, making it suited to raw use as crudités.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size	1 cup
Amount Per Serving
Calories	35
Calories from Fat	0
% Daily Value*
Total Fat	0.0 g	0 %
Cholesterol	0 mg	0 %
Sodium	20 mg	1 %
Potassium	0 mg	0 %
Total Carbohydrate	5 g	2 %
Dietary Fiber	3 g	12 %
Protein	3.0 g	6 %
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.