Common monkey
| Common monkey | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Common monkey ( Allenopithecus nigroviridis ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
| Allenopithecus | ||||||||||||
| Lang , 1923 | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Allenopithecus nigroviridis | ||||||||||||
| ( Pocock , 1907) |
The Allen's swamp monkey ( Allenopithecus nigroviridis ) is a primate of the family Cercopithecidae . It is the only species in the Allenopithecus genus . It is an ancient primate species that predominantly lives in swamp forests in central Africa. It systematically forms the sister taxon of all other monkeys .
description
Swamp monkeys are rather sturdy animals, their fur is gray-green on the top and white on the underside. The face is pink, and long tufts of hair on the cheeks give a mane-like impression. Small webs on fingers and toes indicate their partially aquatic way of life. The original features include the broad molars and the normal swelling of the females. Swamp monkeys reach a head body length of 40 to 51 centimeters, in addition there is a 35 to 52 centimeter long tail. As with other primates, the males, weighing up to 6 kilograms, are significantly heavier than the females, which reach 3.5 kilograms.
distribution and habitat
Marsh monkeys live in the Congo Basin , more precisely in the northeast of the Republic of the Congo and in the west of the Democratic Republic of the Congo . Their habitat are temporarily flooded swamp and river forests.
Way of life
Marsh monkeys are diurnal animals, they mainly look for food on the ground. They inhabit swampy, water-rich areas and can also swim well, although they submerge in danger. They live in groups of up to 40 animals. They are likely to be social animals that communicate using various calls, facial expressions, and physical contact.
The diet consists of fruits, leaves and invertebrates (beetles, worms).
The females give birth to a single young animal, which is weaned at around three months and is sexually mature after three to five years. The longest known age of a black monkey was 23 years.
threat
Birds of prey , snakes and bonobos are natural enemies of the swamp monkeys . In contrast to other primate species, their swampy habitat is not as exposed to the risk of forest clearing. However, they are hunted for their meat. The IUCN lists the common monkey as low 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 .
Web links
- Information and pictures at theprimata.com
- Allenopithecus nigroviridis in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2006. Posted by: Primate Specialist Group, 1996. Retrieved on 11 May, 2006.