Capuchin-like

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Capuchin-like
White-shouldered Capuchin (Cebus capucinus)

White-shouldered Capuchin ( Cebus capucinus )

Systematics
without rank: Euarchonta
Order : Primates (Primates)
Subordination : Dry- nosed primates (Haplorrhini)
Partial order : Monkey (anthropoidea)
without rank: New World Monkey (Platyrrhini)
Family : Capuchin-like
Scientific name
Cebidae
Bonaparte , 1831
Common squirrel monkey ( Saimiri sciureus )

The Capuchin-like (Cebidae) are a primate family from the group of the New World monkeys (Platyrrhini) within the dry-nosed monkeys . The family has an eventful taxonomic history; in the form used here, it comprises three genera, the uncrowned capuchin ( Cebus ), the hooded capuchin ( Sapajus ) and the squirrel monkey ( Saimiri ) with a total of around 30 species. Sometimes the marmosets are also counted as a subfamily of the Capuchin-like species.

description

The two genera resemble each other in their tooth proportions and skull structure, but are not very similar externally. They reach a head body length of 25 to 55 centimeters, with the tail being just as long. Squirrel monkeys weigh between 0.7 and 1.1 kilograms, while capuchin monkeys weigh between 2 and 4 kilograms. Their fur is short and dense, it is usually black, brown or gray, sometimes with a contrasting color. The trunk is elongated, the long tail is partially graspable (in squirrel monkeys, however, only in young animals), but not provided with a hairless touch area as in the spotted monkeys . The fingers and toes are always provided with nails.

The head is rounded, the muzzle is short, the eyes are close together. The dental formula is as in most Primate I 2  C 1  P 3  M 3, ie, they have a total of 36 teeth.

distribution and habitat

Capuchins live on the American continent . Its distribution area extends from Central America ( Honduras ) over the Amazon basin to central Bolivia and southeastern Brazil . Their habitat are forests, although they can occur in a wide variety of forest types.

The genus Panamacebus , which was fossilized by a few teeth and occurred 20.9 million years ago in the area of ​​today's Panama, was also placed among the Capuchin-like species .

Way of life

The capuchin species are diurnal tree dwellers. They are excellent climbers and tend to get around on all fours in the trees. Occasionally they come to the ground.

Hooded capuchin ( Cebus apella )

Capuchins live in groups of 8 to 100 animals, the groups consist of several males and females as well as the common young animals. Both genders usually develop a hierarchy. While groups of capuchin monkeys are led by a dominant male, in the squirrel monkey the females tend to dominate the group and push the males to the edge. The group members communicate with numerous sounds.

Capuchins are omnivores. They feed on fruits and other parts of plants such as seeds, leaves and buds, but also on insects and other small animals, sometimes also on small vertebrates and eggs.

After a gestation period of 150 to 180 days, the female gives birth to a single young. The fathers hardly take part in the rearing of the young, but often other females from the group.

Systematics

Bolivian squirrel monkey ( Saimiri boliviensis )
Black Capuchin ( Cebus nigritus )

In the past, all New World monkeys that were not counted among the marmosets were incorporated into the Capuchin family. However, more detailed investigations have shown that this group was paraphyletic , that is, that some representatives are more closely related to the marmosets than to each other. The spotted monkeys (Atelidae) and the Sakia monkeys (Pitheciidae) are now recognized as independent families.

The night monkeys (Aotidae) and marmosets (Callitrichidae) are more closely related to the capuchin and squirrel monkeys , and all of these genera are likely to form a common lineage.

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ According to Geissmann (2003)
  2. ↑ Jonathan I. Bloch et al .: First North American fossil monkey and early Miocene tropical biotic interchange. In: Nature . Volume 533, 2016, pp. 243-246, doi: 10.1038 / nature17415

Web links

Commons : Capuchin-like  - album with pictures, videos and audio files