Southern spider monkey
| Southern spider monkey | ||||||||||||
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Southern spider monkey ( Brachyteles arachnoides ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Brachyteles arachnoides | ||||||||||||
| ( É. Geoffroy , 1806) |
The Southern spider monkey ( Brachyteles arachnoides ) is a primate of the family of atelidae (Atelidae): He lives in southeastern Brazil and is in great danger.
features
Together with the northern spider monkey , southern spider monkeys are the largest New World monkeys . They reach a head body length of 45 to 78 centimeters, the tail is 65 to 80 centimeters longer than the body. It is designed as a grasping tail and hairless on the underside of the tip. Males are slightly larger than females, they are also heavier at 12 to 15 kilograms, females weigh 9.5 to 11 kilograms. The fur of these primates is yellow-gray and short. Arms and legs are long and slender, in contrast to their northern relatives, the thumb is completely regressed.
distribution and habitat
Southern spider monkeys inhabit the - now much smaller - forests on the Atlantic coast of the Brazilian states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo , in Paraná they may have already become extinct. Their habitat are moist rainforests , where they occur up to an altitude of 1800 meters.
Way of life
Southern spider monkeys are diurnal and mostly stay on the trees, preferably in the upper crown area. They are skilful climbers who often move suspensively - swinging by their arms or hanging by their tail - or on all fours.
They live together in groups that include around 5 to 25 animals and consist of several males and females. The behavior of the group members among one another is very peaceful and hardly marked by aggression. The range of a group covers 70 to 170 hectares.
Southern spider monkeys are herbivores that feed on leaves (around 50% of the diet), fruits (30%, especially in the rainy season) and other plant material.
Reproduction
The reproductive behavior is promiscuous , males and females mate with as many animals as possible. After a gestation period of seven to eight months, the female usually gives birth to a single young animal, which is weaned after two years. When sexual maturity occurs, males remain in the birth group, while the females have to leave it at this point (at five to seven years of age).
threat
Southern spider monkeys are endangered species, although they are not yet as threatened as their northern relatives. Their habitat has been greatly reduced and fragmented by advanced deforestation and heavy settlement. In addition, there is the hunt, which is still practiced today. The total population is estimated at 1000 to 1500 animals, the IUCN lists the species as "endangered" ( endangered ).
literature
- Thomas Geissmann : Comparative Primatology. Springer-Verlag, Berlin et al. 2003, ISBN 3-540-43645-6 .
- Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
