Uakaris
| Uakaris | ||||||||||||
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Red uakari ( Cacajao calvus ) |
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| Cacajao | ||||||||||||
| Lesson , 1840 |
The Uakaris or short-tailed monkeys ( Cacajao ) are a genus of primate from the family of the Sakia monkeys (Pitheciidae) within the New World monkeys . They are characterized by the hairless face and short tail and live in northwestern South America . Three types have been distinguished since 2014.
features
Uakaris are the largest representatives of the sakia monkeys with a head body length of 30 to 57 centimeters. Unique among the New World monkeys is their shortened tail, which is always less than half the body length and measures 13 to 21 centimeters. The weight is 2.7 to 3.5 kilograms, with males being slightly heavier than females. The most striking feature of the Uakaris is their hairless face, which is reminiscent of a shriveled human head and is colored red or black depending on the species. The rest of the body is covered with long, dense fur, which is particularly elongated in the shoulder area. Its coloration varies from white-gray to brown to black, sometimes the back fur is colored differently than the rest of the body. To adapt to their specialized diet, the incisors are narrow and protrude forward. The canines are enlarged, while the molars (tooth) are rather small and low-crowned.
distribution and habitat
Uakaris occur in northern South America , their range includes southeastern Colombia , southern Venezuela , eastern Peru and western Brazil . Their habitat is forests, whereby they can often be found in seasonally flooded habitats ( Várzea or Igapó ).
Way of life
Like most New World monkeys, uakaris are diurnal tree dwellers. In the branches they either move on all fours or jumping. In the rainy season they only stay in the trees, but in the dry season they also come to the ground to look for their food. They live in groups made up of several males and females and the common young animals. Usually these consist of 15 to 30 animals, sometimes more. To search for food, they often split up into subgroups in order to get back together for sleep (fission fusion organization). The home ranges can be very large and cover 500 to 600 hectares. They communicate with a range of sounds, and mutual grooming also plays a role. In general, they show less aggressive behavior towards group members.
food
The diet of the uakaris consists mainly of hard-skinned fruits and seeds (together about 85%). They also eat flowers and insects. Because of this specialized food, they have few food competitors in their area of distribution.
Reproduction
Every two years the female gives birth to a single young after a gestation period of around six months. The males do not care for the offspring. Young animals are weaned at the latest in their second year of life. Females are sexually mature at three, males at six. In human care, Uakaris can live to be over 30 years old.
Systematics
The Uakaris are classified in the family of the Sakia monkeys (Pitheciidae). Their closest relatives are likely to be the Bartsakis ( Chiropotes ), who show a similar specialization in hard-shell food and a similar social behavior. The name "Uakari" comes from a Tupi language . The scientific name Cacajao comes from the Baré language and could be onomatopoeically derived from the contact call of the Black Uakari.
Until recently, two Uakari species were assumed, the Red Uakari and the Black Uakari . However, a 2008 study by Jean Boubli divided the black uakaris into three species. In 2014 the black uakaris were regrouped. How are the beginning of the 19th century by Alexander von Humboldt in 1811 as Simia melanocephalus described Cacajao melanocephalus and 1823 by Johann Baptist von Spix as Brachyurus ouakary described Cacajao ouakary distinguished. Further subdivisions of Cacajao melanocephalus are only accepted as subspecies, if at all, until detailed investigations are available.
- The red uakari or scarlet face ( Cacajao calvus ) is characterized by its bright red face. The coat color varies from white-gray to red-brown.
- The black-faced uakari ( Cacajao melanocephalus ) has a black face and predominantly black fur, which, however, is reddish-brown in the lower part of the back. Possible subspecies are:
- Cacajao melanocephalus melanocephalus ( Neblina-Uakari ) the nominate form of the black-faced uakari,
- Cacajao melanocephalus ayresi ( Aracá-Uakari ) is darker in color than the nominate form, the red-brown parts are almost dark brown.
- The Spix-Schwarzkopfuakari ( Cacajao ouakary ) is described as three-colored and shows a distinct golden yellow in addition to black and brown in the area of the shoulders and back.
Danger
Uakaris are hunted in some places for their meat or because they are made into pets. Another threat is the loss of their habitat due to the clearing of forests. According to the IUCN , three of the four species and subspecies are endangered.
Individual evidence
- ^ Adrian A. Barnett: Cacajao melanocephalus (PDF; 347 kB). Mammalian Species No. 776, 2005.
- ↑ Jean P. Boubli, Maria Nazareth F. da Silva, Manuella V. Amado, Tomas Hrbek, Francisco Boavista Pontual, Izeni P. Farias: A Taxonomic Reassessment of "Cacajao melanocephalus" Humboldt (1811), with the Description of Two New Species . International Journal of Primatology, Vol. 29, 3, pp. 723-741, 2008 ISSN 0164-0291
- Jump up ↑ a b Stephen F. Ferrari, Patricia G. Guedes, Wilsea MB Figueiredo-Ready & Adrian A. Barnett: Reconsidering the taxonomy of the Black-Faced Uacaris, Cacajao melanocephalus group (Mammalia: Pitheciidae), from the northern Amazon Basin. Zootaxa 3866, 3, pp. 353-370, September 2014 doi : 10.11646 / zootaxa.3866.3.3
literature
- Jean P. Boubli, Maria Nazareth F. da Silva, Manuella V. Amado, Tomas Hrbek, Francisco Boavista Pontual, Izeni P. Farias: A Taxonomic Reassessment of "Cacajao melanocephalus" Humboldt (1811), with the Description of Two New Species. In: International Journal of Primatology. Vol. 29, No. 3, 2008, ISSN 0164-0291 , pp. 723-741, 2008.
- 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 .
