Peruvian Primates

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Peruvian Primates
By David Stevens
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A Little Background

• So what is a primate?
• A primate is any species within the order of
  Primates that include lemurs, monkeys, and apes
• Peru is home to 32 different species of primates
• Three main families of primates in Peru
• Callitrichids, which include species such as
  pichicos and leoncillos
• Callimiconids, which include the single species
  of Goeldi's false pichico
• Cebids, which include the spider monkeys,
  squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys, machin, etc.
• The terrains and rainforests of Peru allows for
  biological diversity and great numbers of species

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Squirrel Monkeys

• Though the species differ slightly, squirrel
  monkeys can be easily identified
• Distinguished by white masks of fur around the
  eyes and darker patches of fur around the mouth
  and chin
• Squirrel monkeys are found mostly in the tropical
  lowland rainforests
• Different species have few behavioral differences
  because their habitats are similar
• They feed primarily on insects and fruits
• Squirrel monkeys are smaller in size, and are
  more preyed upon as a consequence
• Interestingly, squirrel monkeys have been
  observed interacting with other primate species
  as a form of defense against predators

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Saimiri boliviensis
Squirrel Monkeys
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Saimiri sciureus
Common squirrel monkey
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Range of Squirrel Monkeys

• Squirrel monkeys can be found throughout Central
  and South America
• S. boliviensis and S. b. peruviensis can be more
  easily found in Peru

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Spider Monkeys

• The common name comes from the spider monkeys
  disproportionately long limbs
• Arms are small but quite long
• One of the few kinds of monkeys that do not use
  their arms to help in walking
• Nostrils are far apart, and hands contain no
  thumbs
• Fur color ranges from a ruddy gold to brown to
  black
• Spider monkeys feed mostly on fruits and nuts
• Mating is year round
• Forms groups of 15-25 individuals

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Ateles belzebuth
White-bellied spider monkeys
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Ateles paniscus
Red-faced spider monkeys
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Ateles chamek
Black spider monkeys
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Howling Monkeys

• Howler monkeys are some of the largest New-World
  monkeys
• 56-92cm in length, excluding the tail
• Howler monkeys get their name because they use
  distinct animal vocals as a form of communication
• They have an enlarged hyoid bone that allows them
  to make these howls
• Howlers eat mostly leaves, fruits, and nuts
• Socially, they are generally friendly animals
  that live in groups
• Howler monkeys rarely leave the trees they live
  and forage in
• Resting is a big part of their lifestyle, making
  them one of the laziest monkeys

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Alouatta palliata
Mantled Howling Monkeys
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Range of Mantled Howling Monkeys Throughout
Central and South America
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Alouatta seniculus
Red Howling Monkeys
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More Red Howling Monkeys
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Woolly Monkeys

• There are only four species of woolly monkeys
• All are found in the rainforests of South America
• Woolly monkeys live in moderate to large social
  groups
• The Peruvian yellow-tailed woolly monkey, which
  is an endangered primate, was recently placed in
  the genus Oreonax

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Lagothrix lagotricha
Brown wooly monkey
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Lagothrix cana
Gray woolly monkey
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Oreonax flavicauda
Yellow-tailed woolly monkey
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Goeldis Monkey

• Goeldis monkeys can be found in Peru as well as
  other South American countries including Brazil
  and Columbia
• Physiologically, the Goeldis monkey resembles a
  tamarin, but its teeth and skull shape are more
  like those of New World monkeys
• 25 cm long with entirely black fur that sticks
  out around the head
• These monkeys have long tails for balance and
  long limbs for climbing and leaping from tree to
  tree
• Goeldis monkeys feed primarily on fruits,
  insects, and small vertebrates

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Callimico goeldii
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Pygmy Marmosets

• Pygmy marmosets are the smallest monkeys in the
  world
• They weigh a mere 119 g on average and measure
  136 mm on average
• They usually have brownish-golden fur, and adults
  have black rings on their tales
• Fur on the faces brushes back
• When climbing, a pygmy marmoset resembles a
  squirrel
• It scales trees, and its small body size allows
  it to perch on smaller branches and objects
• The pygmy marmoset can turn its head 180 degrees
  this is a form of a defense mechanism
• The marmosets live in floodplains and forests
  primarily
• The pygmy marmoset uses its sharp teeth and claws
  to dig into trees
• This is useful because the primary diet of a
  pygmy marmoset is the sap and exudates of a tree
• Social groups include up to ten individuals

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Range of the Pygmy Marmoset
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Callithrix pygmaea
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Oh, So Small
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Capuchin Monkeys

• Capuchins are some of the most widely recognized
  monkeys
• Capuchins have been used as exotic pets
• Characterized by dark-colored arms, legs, and
  tail, with light-colored head and chest
• Spend entire day searching for food
• Diet consists of fruits, nuts, insects, spiders,
  bird eggs, small vertebrates, etc.
• Capuchins live in social groups that can contain
  anywhere from 6-40 members
• Capuchins are the most intelligent New World
  monkey
• Many are used in labs because of their
  intelligence
• During mosquito season, Capuchins will crush
  millipedes and spread the remains on their body
• The millipedes act as a natural insecticide

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Cebus albifrons
White-fronted capuchins
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Titi Monkeys

• Different species of titi monkeys vary in size
  and color
• Fur is long and soft, and usually a brown, red,
  or black color with a lighter underside
• Furry tale
• Titis prefer thick forests near water
• Territorial, live in family groups, and will
  chase off other creatures
• Mate for life
• Diet consists of fruits, bird eggs, insects, etc.

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Callicebus brunneus
Dusky titi monkeys
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Callicebus cupreus
Red titi monkeys
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Callicebus oenanthe
Andean titi monkeys
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Red Uakari Monkeys

• If youre lucky enough to see these monkeys,
  youll recognize them immediately
• Found in swampy forests of Peru as well as Brazil
  and Columbia
• As of 2004, considered near threatened
• Distinctive red face with little fur
• Red face is a sign of good health
• Short, bushy tails with long, thick red or white
  body fur
• Diet consists of flowers, seeds, and some small
  vertebrates
• Spend most of day on the ground looking for seeds
• Live in social groups of up to 30 members

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Cacajao calvus
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Red Uakari monkeys
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Tamarin Monkeys

• Tamarins are squirrel-sized New World monkeys
  found throughout many parts of Central America
  and down to middle South America
• Species vary widely in appearance
• Many tamarins have mustache-like fur around their
  face
• Prefer rainforests and open forest areas
• Social groups include up to 40 members
• Diet consists of fruits and other plant parts,
  bird eggs, small vertebrates, etc.

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Tamarins
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So, can we go to Peru yet?