Muriqui
Encyclopedia
The muriquis, also known as woolly spider monkeys, are the monkey
s of the genus
Brachyteles. They are closely related to both the spider monkey
s and the woolly monkey
s. There are two species, the southern
(B. arachnoides) and northern muriqui
(B. hypoxanthus). They are the two largest species of New World monkey
s, 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).
The muriqui is 15-23 inches (38-58 cm) long without its tail and weighs from 10-20 pounds (4.5-9 kilos) It ranges in coloration from brown to black and the underside of their prehensile tail
s has no fur at the end.
Muriquis are folivore
s (herbivores), but will also eat significant amounts of fruit and flowers in the rainy season, as well as bark, bamboo, ferns, nectar, pollen, and seeds.
As is common to many platyrrhines
, males are philopatric and females tend to move out into other groups at the onset of adolescence around 5 to 7 years of age, later reaching maturity at an average age of 11 years. On average, males reach maturity in half this time.
Observed group sizes range from 8 to 43, and contain plentiful numbers of both males and females. Muriquis are polygamous, and unlike many other primates males spend large periods of time together without significant aggressive encounters. As such, they are also not territorial.
The name "muriqui" comes from a native Tupi word meaning approximately 'largest monkey'. The arachnoides species is also known as "mono carvoeiro", which translates to "Charcoal 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...
s of the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Brachyteles. They are closely related to both the spider monkey
Spider monkey
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...
s and the woolly monkey
Woolly monkey
The woolly monkeys are the genus Lagothrix of New World monkeys, usually placed in the family Atelidae.There are four species of woolly monkey. All originate from the rainforests of South America...
s. There are two species, the southern
Southern Muriqui
The southern muriqui, Brachyteles arachnoides, is a muriqui species endemic to Brazil. It is found in the Brazilian states of Paraná, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais. This New World monkey is known locally as mono carvoeiro, which translates to charcoal monkey.Muriquis...
(B. arachnoides) and northern muriqui
Northern Muriqui
The northern muriqui is an endangered muriqui species endemic to Brazil. It is unusual among primates in that shows egaliterian social relationship. It is found in the Atlantic Forest region of the Brazilian states of Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais and Bahia. Muriquis are the...
(B. hypoxanthus). They are the two largest species of New World monkey
New World monkey
New World monkeys are the five families of primates that are found in Central and South America: Callitrichidae, Cebidae, Aotidae, Pitheciidae, and Atelidae. The five families are ranked together as the Platyrrhini parvorder and the Ceboidea superfamily, which are essentially synonymous since...
s, 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
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
at altitudes ranging from sea level to 1500 m (5000 ft).
The muriqui is 15-23 inches (38-58 cm) long without its tail and weighs from 10-20 pounds (4.5-9 kilos) It ranges in coloration from brown to black and the underside of their prehensile tail
Prehensile tail
A prehensile tail is the tail of an animal that has adapted to be able to grasp and/or hold objects. Fully prehensile tails can be used to hold and manipulate objects, and in particular to aid arboreal creatures in finding and eating food in the trees...
s has no fur at the end.
Muriquis are folivore
Folivore
In zoology, a folivore is a herbivore that specializes in eating leaves. Mature leaves contain a high proportion of hard-to-digest cellulose, less energy than other types of foods, and often toxic compounds. For this reason folivorous animals tend to have long digestive tracts and slow metabolisms....
s (herbivores), but will also eat significant amounts of fruit and flowers in the rainy season, as well as bark, bamboo, ferns, nectar, pollen, and seeds.
As is common to many platyrrhines
New World monkey
New World monkeys are the five families of primates that are found in Central and South America: Callitrichidae, Cebidae, Aotidae, Pitheciidae, and Atelidae. The five families are ranked together as the Platyrrhini parvorder and the Ceboidea superfamily, which are essentially synonymous since...
, males are philopatric and females tend to move out into other groups at the onset of adolescence around 5 to 7 years of age, later reaching maturity at an average age of 11 years. On average, males reach maturity in half this time.
Observed group sizes range from 8 to 43, and contain plentiful numbers of both males and females. Muriquis are polygamous, and unlike many other primates males spend large periods of time together without significant aggressive encounters. As such, they are also not territorial.
The name "muriqui" comes from a native Tupi word meaning approximately 'largest monkey'. The arachnoides species is also known as "mono carvoeiro", which translates to "Charcoal Monkey".
External links
- Primate Info Net Brachyteles Factsheet
- Southern Muriqui Home Page - Pró- Muriqui Association