Abstract:

Background: Lorises, a general term for small, arboreal, and nocturnal primates of the family Lorisidae, are primarily distributed across tropical regions of Africa and Asia. They exhibit a series of unique physiological and behavioral characteristics, such as ultrasonic communication, torpor at low temperatures, and venom use. Two species, the Bengal slow loris (Nycticebus bengalensis) and the pygmy loris (Xanthonycticebus intermedius), are distributed in China.

Method: Through a comprehensive literature review, we analyzed the current status and developmental trends of loris research globally and domestically, summarized the existing problems in loris conservation within China, and proposed targeted recommendations.

Review resultsGlobally, research on lorises had shown steady growth in recent years, with hotspots focusing on functional adaptation mechanisms—such as gummivory, venom production, and torpor—as well as the conservation of threatened populations. In contrast, relevant research in China started later. From the 1980s to the present, it had evolved through three phases: foundational exploration, developmental deepening, and integrated conservation. Notably, the past decade had witnessed a marked upward trend in research output. In phylogenetics and genomics, domestic scholars had employed mitochondrial gene and whole-genome analyses to clarify the taxonomic relationship between the Bengal slow loris and the pygmy loris. These studies had also revealed adaptive evolution in genes related to metabolic regulation, muscle development, and circadian rhythms. Regarding population distribution and habitat, recent systematic surveys had preliminarily delineated the fragmented distribution patterns of the two loris species in provinces such as Yunnan and Guangxi in China. It had been found that their populations are mostly confined to the edges of nature reserves or within fragmented forest patches. In conservation biology and the application of new technologies, domestic research demonstrated interdisciplinary integration. Gut microbiome studies had uncovered the critical influence of captive environments and diet on loris health, providing a basis for optimizing nutritional management of rescued individuals. Artificial intelligence had been applied for the first time in facial recognition, posture analysis, and stereotypic behavior detection in lorises, enabling efficient, non-invasive individual management and welfare assessment. In terms of reintroduction and rewilding research, preliminary protocols had been established for rehabilitating the locomotor abilities of captive Bengal slow lorises. Radio-tracking technology had been utilized to conduct initial monitoring of post-release home ranges and habitat selection, offering important references for scientifically informed reintroduction practices.

Perspectives Despite these advances in multiple areas, loris conservation in China still faces severe challenges. Illegal pet trade, habitat loss and fragmentation, and hunting for traditional medicine constitute major threats. Current conservation efforts are hampered by insufficient baseline data, non-standardized rescue and captive management protocols, and the high cost and low efficiency of field monitoring. To effectively promote loris conservation in the future, it is essential to further integrate interdisciplinary research approaches and systematically conduct population surveys and genetic diversity assessments. Technical guidelines for rescue, rewilding, and reintroduction should be improved. Simultaneously, efforts must be strengthened in law enforcement, community co-management, and international cooperation, alongside enhancing public awareness of conservation. This is a systematic project requiring the joint advancement of legal, administrative, scientific research, and community involvement efforts, and its successful implementation will also provide important insights for the conservation of other endangered arboreal primates.

Key words: Bengal slow loris, pygmy loris, research history, threaten factors, conservation strategies