Northern muriqui

Last updated

Northern muriqui [1]
Brachyteles hypoxanthus.jpg
Female and infant, in Caratinga, Brazil.
CITES Appendix I (CITES) [3]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Haplorhini
Infraorder: Simiiformes
Family: Atelidae
Genus: Brachyteles
Species:
B. hypoxanthus
Binomial name
Brachyteles hypoxanthus
(Kuhl, 1820)
Northern Muriqui area.png
Northern muriqui range

The northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus) is one of two species of muriqui. They are also known as woolly spider monkey because they exhibit the woollen pelt of woolly monkeys and the long prehensile tail of spider monkeys. Muriquis are the largest extant New World monkeys. They can reach 4.3 feet or 1.3 metres long and weight up to 7 to 10 kilograms (15 to 22 lb). [4] The northern muriqui is a critically endangered species, it is estimated that there are less than 1000 mature individuals in the wild. [2] The species is unusual among primates in that they display egalitarian tendencies in their social relationships. This species is endemic to the Atlantic Forest region of Brazilian states of Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais and Bahia. Their diets, travel patterns and reproductive cycles are seasonally determined. The size of each group can fluctuate as females will move between groups of monkeys.

Contents

Morphology and identification

Northern muriquis have natural pale facial marks. Northern Muriqui 9.jpg
Northern muriquis have natural pale facial marks.

Northern muriquis exhibit features that allow them to utilize all of their limbs and tail for travel and obtaining food items. As they spend much of their life in the canopy of forests, they use brachiation as a form of locomotion utilizing all four limbs and their tail. [5] Evolutionary features that further aid these large atelids are elongated hook-like fingers, and shoulder that allows for a wide range of movement. [4] As these monkeys are primarily suited for life in trees, they still venture down to the ground to drink from water sources, consume soil or to obtain ripe fruit that has fallen. [5] Northern muriquis can be individually recognized by their natural markings and facial features, such as fur color and patterning, ear shape, and face shape and pigmentation. [6] Although southern muriqui exhibit sexual dimorphism in canine length, northern muriqui show none. In another difference, northern muriqui retain vestigial thumbs that are completely absent in their sister species. [7]

Ecology

Diet

Northern muriqui are frugivorous and folivorous, but they also rely on seeds, flowers, nectar, bark, twigs, stems, vines and soil to supplement additional nutritional needs. [8] [5] [9] Northern muriqui consume the fruits of Margaritaria nobilis , Andira species, Anadenanthera species, Plathymenia foliolosa , Palicourea tetraphylla, Psychotria wamingii, Genipa americana and Carpotroche brasiliensis, as well as the seeds of Mabea fistulifera. [9] The amount of what each group eats depends on seasonality, wherein they will consume foods higher in calories, which results in higher fruit consumption during the wet season, and increased leaf consumption in the dry season. [10] This affect how groups of B. hypoxanthus travel as they forage for food, as bigger family groups need to travel further to attain adequate food sources. The muriqui also utilize vertical niches when foraging, as they can access all levels of forest, from the floor to the canopy. Muriqui group home ranges overlap, so unrelated groups of muriqui will avoid each other by traveling to or foraging for food by using these niche levels. [11]

Social structure

Northern muriqui live in egalitarian, fission-fusion societies, [11] where the males are philopatric, and females will leave the natal group to join other muriqui groups at an average age of 6 years old before they reach puberty. [12] Male muriqui have been documented to form social cliques within their natal groups, with groups that are differentiated between older males and younger males. [13] Males display tendencies to form cooperative associations between cliques, and therefore leads to diminished intragroup conflicts compared to other species of primate. These tendencies make themselves apparent during mating season as there is little to no aggression displayed between males vying for mating opportunities, or when dealing with other natal groups of muriqui when traveling or defending their own homerange. [13] Different muriqui groups will interact with each other as group home ranges overlap. [11] During these interactions, females can enter new groups by vocalizing and interacting with new group members by hugging or touching them. Female muriquis are more independent than males; they leave their natal groups at an age of about six years. [14] Male muriquis have almost no interaction with infants. When there is an interaction between the two, the infant would be the one to initiate it. [15] Muriqui social groups are dominated by females, and males will continue to associate closely with their mothers into adulthood. It is through their mothers that adult males gain access to more females. [16]

Mating and reproduction

The Northern muriqui's reproductive cycle is based on the seasonality of their environment. Infants are generally born during the dry season so that when there is a high amount of fruit production during the wet season, they can access calorie dense foods as they are weaned off of their mothers milk. [10] Females will on average be ready to mate at the age of nine, wherein they can copulate with several partners in order to conceive, however, some males can be shown preferential treatment by females. [7] Evidence points to having multiple partners in order to confuse paternity, limit male aggression, or improving odds of fertilization. [17] The gestation period for northern muriquis is a little over 7 months. The visual determination of sex can be seen within a week or so of birth, based on the shape and positioning of their genitalia. [18] There is no definitive research on the average life span of the northern muriqui, there are documented individuals reaching past the age of 30 years of age. [19]

Conservation and status

B. hypoxanthus is one of the world's most critically endangered primates, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. [2] It is threatened by hunting and (in common with most other primates of the region) destruction and fragmentation of its Atlantic Forest habitat. [2] Among the scattered populations of northern muriqui only one population, living in Caratinga is considered, as of now, viable for the next 100 years. [20] The northern muriqui also suffers from very low genetic diversity [21] and is poorly understood, causing problems in conservation. [22] The estimated wild population of northern muriquis was raised from about 500 to 1000 individuals in 2005, due to new discoveries and research in other forests. [18]

Predation

Northern muriqui can be preyed upon by ocelots, tayra, and some birds of prey. If a threat or predator is observed, a group of muriqui will vocally call out to warn others. [5]

Human evolution relevance

The northern muriqui has been argued to be important to understanding human evolution, since it is one of the few primates that has tolerant, nonhierarchial relationships among and between males and females, a feature shared with hunter-gatherer humans, but which contrasts with the ranked relationships of most other primates. [23] Group aggression is also rare. [23] The success of males fathering offspring links to the maternal investment they gain from their mothers and coresident female kin. This provides support to the grandmother hypothesis. [23]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woolly monkey</span> Genus of New World monkeys

The woolly monkeys are the genus Lagothrix of New World monkeys, usually placed in the family Atelidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Howler monkey</span> Genus of mammals

Howler monkeys are the most widespread primate genus in the Neotropics and are among the largest of the platyrrhines along with the muriquis (Brachyteles), the spider monkeys (Ateles) and woolly monkeys (Lagotrix). The monkeys are native to South and Central American forests. They are famous for their loud howls, which can be heard up to three miles away through dense rain forest. Fifteen species are recognized. Previously classified in the family Cebidae, they are now placed in the family Atelidae. They are primarily folivores but also significant frugivores, acting as seed dispersal agents through their digestive system and their locomotion. Threats include human predation, habitat destruction, illegal wildlife trade, and capture for pets or zoo animals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Proboscis monkey</span> Primate species

The proboscis monkey or long-nosed monkey is an arboreal Old World monkey with an unusually large nose, a reddish-brown skin color and a long tail. It is endemic to the southeast Asian island of Borneo and is found mostly in mangrove forests and on the coastal areas of the island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atelidae</span> Family of New World monkeys

The Atelidae are one of the five families of New World monkeys now recognised. It was formerly included in the family Cebidae. Atelids are generally larger monkeys; the family includes the howler, spider, woolly, and woolly spider monkeys. They are found throughout the forested regions of Central and South America, from Mexico to northern Argentina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muriqui</span> Genus of New World monkeys

The muriquis, also known as woolly spider monkeys, are the monkeys of the genus Brachyteles. They are closely related to both the spider monkeys and the woolly monkeys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brown howler</span> Species of New World monkey

The brown howler, also known as brown howler monkey, is a species of howler monkey, a type of New World monkey that lives in forests in southeastern Brazil and far northeastern Argentina (Misiones). It lives in groups of two to 11 individuals. Despite the name "brown howler", it is notably variable in colour, with some individuals appearing largely reddish-orange or black.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black howler</span> Species of New World monkey

The black howler or black-and-gold howler, is among the largest New World monkeys and a member of the Alouatta genus. The black howler is distributed in areas of South America such as Paraguay, southern Brazil, eastern Bolivia, northern Argentina, and Uruguay. This species is sexually dimorphic, with adult males having entirely black fur and adult females and babies of both sexes having an overall golden colouring; which emphasizes black-and-gold in the name. The IUCN Red List has classed the black howler as Near Threatened as a result of a recent population reduction due to a variety of human-caused factors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buffy-headed marmoset</span> Species of New World monkey

The buffy-headed marmoset is a rare species of marmoset endemic to the rainforests of south-eastern Brazil. It occurs in southern Espírito Santo and possibly northern Rio de Janeiro and its distribution extends into Minas Gerais.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wedge-capped capuchin</span> Species of New World monkey

The wedge-capped capuchin or Guianan weeper capuchin is a capuchin monkey from South America. It is found in northern Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela. Cebus olivaceus is known to dwell in tall, primary forest and travel over long distances during the day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-fronted titi monkey</span> Species of mammal

The black-fronted titi monkey is a species of titi, a type of New World monkey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peruvian spider monkey</span> Species of New World monkey

The Peruvian spider monkey, also known as the black-faced black spider monkey, is a species of spider monkey that lives in Peru, as well as in Brazil and in Bolivia. At 60 centimetres long, they are relatively large among species of monkey, and their strong, prehensile tails can be up to 1 m (3 ft) long. Unlike many species of monkey, they have only a vestigial thumb, an adaptation which enables them to travel using brachiation. Peruvian spider monkeys live in groups of 20–30 individuals, but these groups are rarely all together simultaneously. The size and dynamics of the resulting subgroups vary with food availability and sociobehavioral activity. They prefer to eat fleshy fruit, but will change their diet in response to scarcity of ripe fruit. Individuals of this species also eat small animals, insects and leaves based on availability. Females separate from the band to give birth, typically in the fall. These females inhabit a group of core areas where resources are abundant in certain seasons. Typically, males exhibit ranging over longer distances than females, with movement of individuals enhancing the fluidity of subgroup size. Peruvian spider monkey are independent at about 10 months, with a lifespan of about 20 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern muriqui</span> Species of New World monkey

The southern muriqui is a muriqui species endemic to Brazil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blond capuchin</span> Species of New World monkey

The blond capuchin is a species of capuchin monkey endemic to northeastern Brazil. This endangered species was rediscovered in 2006. It can live in exceptionally large groups of over 150 individuals, and like other capuchin species, exhibits a complex and high level of sociality. It is threatened by loss of habitat due to agriculture, primarily sugarcane fields. In many cases this has caused sugarcane to make up a large portion of their diet, which would otherwise consist of mostly fruit and small animals. The blond capuchin is known to inhabit both the Atlantic forest and Caatinga biomes, although the habitation of the Caatinga may be a recent choice caused by human encroachment into its former habitats. Like other primate species, the blond capuchin is also threatened by poaching and capture for the illegal pet trade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern brown howler</span> Subspecies of New World monkey

The northern brown howler is the type subspecies of the brown howler, native to Brazil. It is listed as critically endangered, with fewer than 250 individuals restricted to the vicinity of the Jequitinhonha River. The species feeds on fruits, flowers, and by preference immature leaves which are easier to digest than mature leaves; foraging for these foods in hillside habitats was shown to require more energy expenditure than in valley habitats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gracile capuchin monkey</span> Genus of mammals belonging to the capuchin and squirrel monkey family of primates

Gracile capuchin monkeys are capuchin monkeys in the genus Cebus. At one time all capuchin monkeys were included within the genus Cebus. In 2011, Jessica Lynch Alfaro et al. proposed splitting the genus between the robust capuchin monkeys, such as the tufted capuchin, and the gracile capuchins. The gracile capuchins retain the genus name Cebus, while the robust species have been transferred to Sapajus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crested capuchin</span> Species of New World monkey

The crested capuchin or robust tufted capuchin is a species of robust capuchin monkey. It is endemic to Brazil. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the black capuchin but is now considered by some to be a separate species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feliciano Miguel Abdala Private Natural Heritage Reserve</span>

Feliciano Miguel Abdala Private Natural Heritage Reserve, formerly the Fazenda Montes Claros and then the Caratinga Biological Station, is a privately owned sustainable-use protected area in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. It contains an example of Atlantic Forest biome. The reserve is home to rare buffy-headed marmosets and to one of the last wild populations of northern muriqui woolly spider monkeys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Humboldt's white-fronted capuchin</span> Species of New World monkey

Humboldt's white-fronted capuchin is a species of gracile capuchin monkey. It is found in Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, and potentially the island of Trinidad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marañón white-fronted capuchin</span> Species of New World monkey

The Marañón white-fronted capuchin also or known as Peruvian white-fronted capuchin or Andean white-fronted capuchin is a species of gracile capuchin monkey from the upper Amazon Basin. It had been regarded as synonymous with the shock-headed capuchin, which was then considered a subspecies of Humboldt's white-fronted capuchin, but it was classified as a separate species by Mittermeier and Rylands based on genetic studies by Boubli.

References

  1. ↑ Groves, C. P. (2005). "Order Primates". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 151. ISBN   978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC   62265494.
  2. 1 2 3 4 de Melo, F.R.; Boubli, J.P.; Mittermeier, R.A.; Jerusalinsky, L.; Tabacow, F.P.; Ferraz, D.S.; Talebi, M. (2021). "Brachyteles hypoxanthus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T2994A191693399. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T2994A191693399.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  3. ↑ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  4. 1 2 Iurck, Maria F.; Nowak, Matthew G.; Costa, Leny C.M.; Mendes, Sérgio L.; Ford, Susan M.; Strier, Karen B. (2013). "Feeding and Resting Postures of Wild Northern Muriquis ( B rachyteles hypoxanthus ): Northern Muriqui Postural Behavior". American Journal of Primatology. 75 (1): 74–87. doi:10.1002/ajp.22085. PMID   23070942. S2CID   20692405.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Mourthé, Ítalo M.C.; Guedes, Danusa; Fidelis, Janaína; Boubli, Jean P.; Mendes, Sérgio L.; Strier, Karen B. (2007). "Ground use by northern muriquis (Brachyteles hypoxanthus)". American Journal of Primatology. 69 (6): 706–712. doi: 10.1002/ajp.20405 . PMID   17253634. S2CID   27932823.
  6. ↑ Chaves, Paulo B.; Magnus, Tielli; Jerusalinsky, Leandro; Talebi, Maurício; Strier, Karen B.; Breves, Paula; Tabacow, Fernanda; Teixeira, Rodrigo H. F.; Moreira, Leandro; Hack, Robson O. E.; Milagres, Adriana; Pissinatti, Alcides; Melo, Fabiano R.; Pessutti, Cecília; Mendes, Sérgio L.; Margarido, Tereza C.; Fagundes, Valéria; Di Fiore, Anthony; Bonatto, Sandro L. (December 2019). "Phylogeographic evidence for two species of muriqui (genus Brachyteles )". American Journal of Primatology. 81 (12): e23066. doi:10.1002/ajp.23066. hdl: 10923/20562 . PMID   31736121. S2CID   182008678.
  7. 1 2 Lemos de Sá, Rosa M.; Pope, Theresa R.; Struhsaker, Thomas T.; Glander, Kenneth E. (1993). "Sexual dimorphism in canine length of woolly spider monkeys (Brachyteles arachnoides, E. Geoffroy 1806)". International Journal of Primatology. 14 (5): 755–763. doi:10.1007/BF02192189. hdl: 10161/6405 . ISSN   0164-0291. S2CID   10300226.
  8. ↑ de Carvalho Jr, Oswaldo; Ferrari, Stephen F.; Strier, Karen B. (2004-07-01). "Diet of a muriqui group (Brachyteles arachnoides) in continuous primary forest". Primates. 45 (3): 201–204. doi:10.1007/s10329-004-0079-7. ISSN   1610-7365. PMID   15042413. S2CID   19208306.
  9. 1 2 "Brachyteles hypoxanthus (Northern muriqui)". Animal Diversity Web .
  10. 1 2 Strier, Karen B.; Mendes, Sergio L.; Santos, Rogerio R. (2001). "Timing of births in sympatric brown howler monkeys (Alouatta fusca clamitans) and northern muriquis (Brachyteles arachnoides hypoxanthus)". American Journal of Primatology. 55 (2): 87–100. doi:10.1002/ajp.1042. ISSN   0275-2565. PMID   11668527. S2CID   19959494.
  11. 1 2 3 Lima, Marlon; Mendes, Sérgio L.; Strier, Karen B. (2019). "Habitat Use in a Population of the Northern Muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus)". International Journal of Primatology. 40 (4–5): 470–495. doi:10.1007/s10764-019-00098-7. ISSN   0164-0291. S2CID   199378037.
  12. ↑ Martins, Waldney P.; Strier, Karen B. (2004-01-01). "Age at first reproduction in philopatric female muriquis ( Brachyteles arachnoides hypoxanthus )". Primates. 45 (1): 63–67. doi:10.1007/s10329-003-0057-5. ISSN   0032-8332. PMID   14505181. S2CID   25463269.
  13. 1 2 Tokuda, Marcos; Boubli, Jean P.; Izar, Patrícia; Strier, Karen B. (2012-04-01). "Social cliques in male northern muriquis Brachyteles hypoxanthus". Current Zoology. 58 (2): 342–352. doi: 10.1093/czoolo/58.2.342 . ISSN   2396-9814.
  14. ↑ Strier, KB, SL Mendes, and K. "Web of Knowledge [v5.6]." Genetic Diversity and Population History of a Critically Endangered Primate, the Northern Muriqui 17.2 (2011): 53-69. Web.
  15. ↑ Oliveria Guimaraes, Vanessa. "Adult Male-infant Interactions in Wild Muriquis (Brachyteles Arachnoides Hypoxanthus)." N.p., Oct. 2001. Web. 26 Oct. 2012.
  16. ↑ Barry, Doug (9 November 2011). "All The Cool Monkey Moms Help Their Sons Get Laid". Jezebel. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  17. ↑ Possami, Carla. "Socio-Sexual Behavior of Female Northern Muriquis." Socio-Sexual Behavior of Female Northern Muriquis 69.7 (2007). Web.
  18. 1 2 Strier, Karen B, Jean P. Boubli, Carla B Possamai, and Se ́ rgio L. Mendes4. "Population Demography of Northern Muriquis (Brachyteles Hypoxanthus) at the Estac ̧ a ̃ O Biolo ́ Gica De Caratinga/Reserva Particular Do Patrimoˆ Nio Natural-Felı`ciano Miguel Abdala, Minas Gerais, Brazil."AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY (2006): 1-3.
  19. ↑ Strier, Karen B. (2014), Yamagiwa, Juichi; Karczmarski, Leszek (eds.), "Northern Muriqui Monkeys: Behavior, Demography, and Conservation", Primates and Cetaceans, Primatology Monographs, Tokyo: Springer Japan, pp. 233–247, doi:10.1007/978-4-431-54523-1_12, ISBN   978-4-431-54522-4 , retrieved 2022-04-12
  20. ↑ Brito, Daniel; Grelle, Carlos Eduardo V. (2006). "Estimating Minimum Area of Suitable Habitat and Viable Population Size for the Northern Muriqui". Biodiversity and Conservation. 15. Springer: 4197–4210. doi:10.1007/s10531-005-3575-1. S2CID   23807488.
  21. ↑ Chaves, Paulo B.; Alvarenga, Clara S.; Possamai, Carla de B.; Dias, Luiz G.; Boubli, Jean P.; Strier, Karen B.; Mendes, Sérgio L.; Fagundes, Valéria (3 June 2011). "Genetic Diversity and Population History of a Critically Endangered Primate, the Northern Muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus)". PLOS ONE. 6 (6): e20722. Bibcode:2011PLoSO...620722C. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020722 . PMC   3108597 . PMID   21694757.
  22. ↑ Daniel, Brito. "Lack of Adequate Taxonomic Knowledge May Hinder Endemic Mammal Conservation in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest." Google Scholar. N.p., 2004. Web. 26 Oct. 2012.
  23. 1 2 3 Strier, K.B., Chaves, P.B., Mendes, S.L., Fagundes, V., Di Fiore, A. (2011). Low paternity skew and the influence of maternal kin in an egalitarian, patrilocal primate, PNAS, 108, 18915–18919 doi : 10.1073/pnas.1116737108
Silhouette of adult using its prehensile tail Brachyteles hypoxanthus3.jpg
Silhouette of adult using its prehensile tail
Sitting muriqui Brachyteles hypoxanthus4.jpg
Sitting muriqui
At Caratinga Biological Station Brachyteles hypoxanthus northern muriqui.jpg
At Caratinga Biological Station
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