The eastern dwarf galagos (P. cocos, P. granti, P. orinus, P. rondoensis, and P. zanzibaricus) have been moved to their own genus, Paragalago, based on genetic evidence and differences in vocalization.

[2] The two genera are not sister taxa and thus may have evolved their small sizes via parallel evolution.

[2] The first genus to be introduced to scientific literature was Galago by Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire.

The genus was based on a smaller species from West Africa.

[2][3] The day-sleeping nests may be shared by groups of females or occasionally by visiting males.