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Atelidae

(Family)

Overview

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Atelidae is one of the five families of New World monkeys now recognised. It was formerly included in the family Cebidae. Atelids are generally larger monkeys; the family includes the howler, spider, woolly and woolly spider monkeys (the latter being the largest of the New World monkeys). They are found throughout the forested regions of Central and South America, from Mexico to northern Argentina.

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Atelid monkeys are small to moderate in size, ranging from 34 to 72 cm in head-body length, with the howler monkeys being the largest, and the spider monkeys the smallest, members of the group. They have long prehensile tails with a sensitive, almost hairless tactile pad on the underside of the distal part. The tail is frequently used as 'fifth limb' while moving through the trees where they make their homes. They also have nails on their fingers and toes, enabling them to climb. Most species have predominantly dark br own, grey, or black fur, often with paler markings.[2]

These are arboreal and diurnal animals, with most species restricted to dense rain forest, although some howler monkey species are found in drier forests, or wooded savannah. They mainly eat fruit and leaves, although the smaller species, in particular, may also eat some small insects. They have the dental formula: Upper: 2.1.3.3, lower: 2.1.3.3

Females give birth to a single infant (or, rarely, twins) after a gestation period of 180 to 225 days. In most species, individuals give birth every one to three years, and there is little, if any, seasonal peak in the number of births.[2]

Atelid monkeys are typically polygamous, and live in social groups with anythi ng up to twenty five adults, depending on species. Where groups are relatively small, as is common amongst the howler monkeys, a single male monopolises a 'harem' of females, but larger groups will contain several males, with a clear hierarchy of dominance.[2]

Classification

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There are currently 29 recognized species of atelid monkey, grouped into five genera, and two subfamilies.[1]

FAMILY ATELIDAE

>[2]

These are arboreal and diurnal animals, with most species restricted to dense rain forest, although some howler monkey species are found in drier forests, or wooded savannah. They mainly eat fruit and leaves, although the smaller species, in particula r, may also eat some small insects. They have the dental formula: Upper: 2.1.3.3, lower: 2.1.3.3

Females give birth to a single infant (or, rarely, twins) after a gestation period of 180 to 225 days. In most species, individuals give birth every one to three years, and there is little, if any, seasonal peak in the number of births.[2]

Atelid monkeys are typically polygamous, and live in social groups with anything up to twenty five adults, depending on species. Where groups are relatively small, as is common amongst the howler monkeys, a single male monopolises a 'harem' of females, but larger groups will contain several males, with a clear hierarchy of dominance.[2]

Classification

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There are currently 29 recognized species of atelid monkey, grouped into five genera, and two subfamilies.[1]

FAMILY ATELIDAE

References

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  1. ^ a b Groves, C. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. eds. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 148-152. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=12100372. 
  2. ^ a b c Macdonald, D., ed. (1984). The Encyclopedia of Mammals. New York: Facts on File. pp. 361. ISBN 0-87196-871-1. 

External links

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Taxonomy

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The Family Atelidae is a member of the Superfamily Callitrichoidea. Here is the complete "parentage" of Atelidae:

The Family Atelidae is further organized into finer groupings including:

Genera

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Alouatta

Howler monkeys (genus Alouatta monotypic in subfamily Alouattinae) are among the largest of the New World monkeys. Fifteen species are currently recognised. Previously classified in the family Cebidae, they are now placed in the family Atelidae. These monkeys are native to South and Central American forests. Threats to howler monkeys include human predation, habitat destruction and being captured for captivity as pets or zoo animals. [more]

Ateles

Spider monkeys of the genus Ateles are New World monkeys in the subfamily Atelinae, family Atelidae. Like other atelines, they are found in tropical forests of Central and South America, from southern Mexico to Brazil. The genus contains seven species, all of which are under threat; the Black-headed Spider Monkey and Brown Spider Monkey are critically endangered. [more]

Brachyteles

The muriquis, also known as woolly spider monkeys, are the monkeys of the genus Brachyteles. They are closely related to both the spider monkeys and the woolly monkeys. There are two species, the southern (B. arachnoides) and northern muriqui (B. hypoxanthus). They are the two largest species of New World monkeys, and the northern species is one of the most endangered of all the world's monkeys. They are found only in the Atlantic coast forests of southeastern Brazil at altitudes ranging from sea level to 1500 m (5000 ft). [more]

Lagothrix

The woolly monkeys are the genus Lagothrix of New World monkeys, usually placed in the family Atelidae. [more]

Oreonax

The yellow-tailed woolly monkey (Oreonax flavicauda) is a New World monkey endemic to Peru. It is a rare primate species found only in the Peruvian Andes, in the departments of Amazonas and San Martin as well as bordering areas of La Libertad, Huanuco and Loreto. Traditionally placed in Lagothrix with the rest of the woolly monkeys, this species was moved to the monotypic genus Oreonax in 2001, though a more recent and comprehensive review suggests this was incorrect. [more]

Paralouatta

More info about the Genus Paralouatta may be found here.

References

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  1. ^ a b Groves, C. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. eds. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 148-152. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=12100372. 
  2. ^ a b c Macdonald, D., ed. (1984). The Encyclopedia of Mammals. New York: Facts on File. pp. 361. ISBN 0-871 96-871-1. 

Sources

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Last Revised: August 24, 2012
2012/08/24 13:25:10