Black Capuchin
Encyclopedia
The black capuchin, Cebus nigritus, also known as the black-horned capuchin, is a capuchin monkey
from the Atlantic Forest in south-eastern Brazil
and far north-eastern Argentina
. Historically, it was included as a subspecies
of the Tufted Capuchin
.
: Cebus n. nigritus (nominate) and C. n. cucullatus are found in the southern part (the former eastwards, and the latter westwards) of this species' range, and both have a distinctive pair of tufts on the crown, as also suggested by the alternative common name
of this species; black-horned capuchin. The last subspecies, the crested or robust tufted capuchin (C. n. robustus) is found in the northern part of this species' range (north of the Doce River
), and has a median conical crest on the crown. It is sometimes considered a separate species.
by the IUCN. The distinctive northern subspecies has a far more restricted distribution and it is considered Endangered
.
Capuchin monkey
The capuchins are New World monkeys of the genus Cebus. The range of capuchin monkeys includes Central America and South America as far south as northern Argentina...
from the Atlantic Forest in south-eastern 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...
and far north-eastern Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. Historically, it was included as a subspecies
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of the Tufted Capuchin
Tufted Capuchin
The tufted capuchin , also known as brown capuchin or black-capped capuchin is a New World primate from South America...
.
Subspecies
The black capuchin has three subspeciesSubspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
: Cebus n. nigritus (nominate) and C. n. cucullatus are found in the southern part (the former eastwards, and the latter westwards) of this species' range, and both have a distinctive pair of tufts on the crown, as also suggested by the alternative common name
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
of this species; black-horned capuchin. The last subspecies, the crested or robust tufted capuchin (C. n. robustus) is found in the northern part of this species' range (north of the Doce River
Doce River
The Doce River is a river in southeast Brazil, which has an extension of 853 km.It is formed by the junction of the Piranga and the Carmo near the historical city of Ouro Preto, whose sources are located in the foothills of the Mantiqueira and Espinhaço mountain chains at altitudes of about 1,200...
), and has a median conical crest on the crown. It is sometimes considered a separate species.
Status
The black capuchin's population number is unknown, but thought to be declining. This is due mostly to habitat loss, hunting, and the pet trade. The two southern subspecies remain relatively widespread and are rated as Near ThreatenedNear Threatened
Near Threatened is a conservation status assigned to species or lower taxa that may be considered threatened with extinction in the near future, although it does not currently qualify for the threatened status...
by the IUCN. The distinctive northern subspecies has a far more restricted distribution and it is 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...
.