Blog 1: De Brazza's Monkeys
De Brazza's Monkeys
1. Taxonomy:
This wise wizard-looking primate is known as the De Brazza’s monkey. Discovered in the 1880s they are found in the primate order Haplorrhine. Below that, their infraorder, Catarrhini, is categorized as primarily small-eyed, sexually dimorphic, large-brain — relative to body primates (Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan). They are a part of the African and Asian monkeys, the Ceropithecoids. Ceropithecoids are split into two subfamilies: "Leaf Eater" and "Cheek Pouch" monkeys. De Brazza's monkeys are a part of the ceropithecoids group “Cheek pouch monkeys” due to their internal pockets, which hold about the same amount as their stomach (Neotropical Primate Conservancy, 2023). Finally, their scientific genus and species name is known as Ceropithecus neglectus; neglectus comes from their expertise hiding skills, successfully keeping themselves hidden until 1879 (Neotropical Primate Conservancy, 2023).
2. Morphology:
Ceropithecus Neglectus, comprised of multicolored fur and a small-sized body, is characterized by dark-speckled grey fur with a burnt orange crown. Highlighted by a black outline and a bright white fur mussel with a matching long beard (Neotropical Primate Conservancy, 2023). Their thighs and behind are a gradient of black with a white stripe and a non-prehensile solid black tail (Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan). Their narrow, downward-facing nostrils and distinct blue scrotums (Blue scrotums found in adult males commonly attract adult females). These sexually dimorphic animals can weigh about a newborn baby's weight, adult females weighing around three to four kilograms, and males six to seven kilograms (Hartley and Chapman 4). They’re about 40-64 centimeters tall, which is about knee level. Their non-prehensile tails are good for balancing in trees and are longer than their heads and bodies combined. These small monkeys walk on all fours, a locomotion is known as quadrupedalism. This four-legged walk is great for gathering food for their cheek pouches (Neotropical Primate Conservancy, 2023). These guys are omnivores who primarily eat fruit found in trees or forest ground; their low-rounded molars grind up the fruits easily.
3. Life History:
The average life span of the De Brazza’s monkeys in captivity is 30 years. However, their Average life span outside captivity is about 22 years. De Brazza's monkeys are primarily polygynous meaning males will have multiple partners. In some cases they have been known to be polygynandrous, meaning both males and females will have multiple partners. After about a two-month breeding interval, female De Brazzers monkeys are known to have single births and very rarely twin births after a five to six-month gestation period (Neotropical Primate Conservancy, 2023). Female De Brazza's monkeys will not mate or produce more than one young per year. During that year the mother will keep the young close, clutched to their bellies, teaching them and transitioning them to solid foods. Young of both sexes sexually mature at five to six years of age. After that, the males will leave the group, and the females will continue to live with their mothers (Neotropical Primate Conservancy, 2023).
4. Conservation Status:
De Brazza’s Monkeys are found in the wetlands and forests of central Africa, including Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda (Neotropical Primate Conservancy, 2023). With such wide-ranging inhabitants, It is speculated that the total population size of De Brazza’s monkeys is over 100,000 individuals (Haile et al.). Despite their wide distribution, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), De Brazza’s monkeys are of “least Concern” —meaning they are not endangered or threatened. However, starting in 1975, Ethiopia has protected them from ongoing threats. 79% of threats to De Brazza’s monkeys are human-related, such as deforestation and human fragmentation (Haile et al.). This percentage isn't even inducing hunting and trapping for pet trade or collection.
Resources:
“Animal Diversity Web.” ADW: Cercopithecus Neglectus: CLASSIFICATION, University of Michigan, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Cercopithecus_neglectus/classification/. Accessed 15 Feb. 2025.
Brennan, Jean E. “De Brazza’s Monkeys (Cercopithecus Neglectus) in Kenya: Census, Distribution, and Conservation.” Wiley Online Library, Northern Arizona University, 1985, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ajp.1350080402.
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"DeBrazza's Monkey, Cercopithecus neglectus." New England Primate Conservancy, https://neprimateconservancy.org/debrazzas-monkey/. Accessed 15 Feb. 2025.
“De Brazza’s Monkey.” Zoo New England, Franklin Park Zoo, www.zoonewengland.org/franklin-park-zoo/our-animals/mammals/primates/de-brazzas-monkey/#:~:text=About%20the%20De%20Brazza’s%20Monkey&text=These%20territorial%20monkeys%20live%20in,this%20monkey’s%20numbers%20to%20decline. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Haile, Melaku, et al. “Human-de Brazza’s Monkey Conflict in Kafa Biosphere Reserve, Kafa Zone South West, Ethiopia.” BMC Zoology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 12 Aug. 2024, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11318138/.
Hartley, Matt, and Mel Chapman, editors. EAZA Best Practice Guidelines: De Brazza Monkey (Cercopithecus neglectus). European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, 2018, strapi.eaza.net/uploads/201807_BPG_De_Brazza_monkey_NV_30c832fa3f.pdf.
“Species Spotlight: De Brazza’s Monkeys.” YouTube, Zoo New England, 24 Feb. 2020, youtu.be/AD7ojFqB-uU?si=EswCZoKx9Jp0mN_U.
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