Ayres Uakari
Encyclopedia
The Aracá uakari also known as the Ayres black uakari, is a newly described species
of monkey
from the northwest Brazilian Amazon. It was found by Jean-Phillipe Boubli of the University of Auckland
after following native Yanomamo Indians on their hunts along the Rio Araçá
, a northern tributary of the Rio Negro. It was subsequently described in 2008 together with the more westernly distributed Neblina Uakari
. Until then, the Black-headed Uakari
was the only species of mainly black uakari that was recognized.
This monkey is named after Brazilian biologist
José Márcio Ayres
, formerly a senior zoologist for the Wildlife Conservation Society
. José Márcio Ayres, who died in 2003, pioneered studies in uakaris and played a fundamental role in the creation of the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve, which is of great importance for the White Uakari
.
Very little is known about the Aracá uakari, but based on present knowledge it has the smallest distribution of all species of uakaris (possibly as small as 5000 square kilometre) and is the only not found in any protected area. Although few people live within its very remote distribution, it is hunted; at least seasonally. It has been suggested it should be considered endangered
, but it is currently listed as vulnerable
by the IUCN.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of monkey
Monkey
A monkey is a primate, either an Old World monkey or a New World monkey. There are about 260 known living species of monkey. Many are arboreal, although there are species that live primarily on the ground, such as baboons. Monkeys are generally considered to be intelligent. Unlike apes, monkeys...
from the northwest Brazilian Amazon. It was found by Jean-Phillipe Boubli of the University of Auckland
University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
after following native Yanomamo Indians on their hunts along the Rio Araçá
Araçá River
Araçá River is a river of Amazonas state in north-western Brazil.-References:*...
, a northern tributary of the Rio Negro. It was subsequently described in 2008 together with the more westernly distributed Neblina Uakari
Neblina Uakari
The Neblina uakari is a newly described species of monkey from the far northwest Brazilian Amazon and adjacent southern Venezuela. It was found by Jean-Phillipe Boubli of the University of Auckland and described together with the more easternly distributed Aracá Uakari in 2008...
. Until then, the Black-headed Uakari
Black-headed Uakari
The black-headed uakari , also known as the golden-backed black uakari, is a New World primate from the family Pitheciidae...
was the only species of mainly black uakari that was recognized.
This monkey is named after Brazilian biologist
Biologist
A biologist is a scientist devoted to and producing results in biology through the study of life. Typically biologists study organisms and their relationship to their environment. Biologists involved in basic research attempt to discover underlying mechanisms that govern how organisms work...
José Márcio Ayres
José Márcio Ayres
José Márcio Ayres was a Brazilian primatologist and conservationist who founded the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve in 1996, followed by the Amanã Sustainable Development Reserve in 1997...
, formerly a senior zoologist for the Wildlife Conservation Society
Wildlife Conservation Society
The Wildlife Conservation Society based at the Bronx Zoo was founded in 1895 as the New York Zoological Society and currently manages some of wild places around the world, with over 500 field conservation projects in 60 countries, and 200 scientists on staff...
. José Márcio Ayres, who died in 2003, pioneered studies in uakaris and played a fundamental role in the creation of the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve, which is of great importance for the White Uakari
Bald Uakari
The bald uakari or bald-headed uakari is a small New World monkey with a very short tail, red face, a bald head, and long coat...
.
Very little is known about the Aracá uakari, but based on present knowledge it has the smallest distribution of all species of uakaris (possibly as small as 5000 square kilometre) and is the only not found in any protected area. Although few people live within its very remote distribution, it is hunted; at least seasonally. It has been suggested it should be considered endangered
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
, but it is currently listed as vulnerable
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
by the IUCN.