Peruvian Night Monkey
Encyclopedia
The Peruvian night monkey (Aotus miconax) is a nocturnal New World monkey
endemic to northeastern Peru
. Adults weigh around 1 kg (2.2 lb) and measure up to 50 cm (19.7 in) in length. Its colour is grey to light brown with characteristic black and white markings on the face. The chest, belly and upper arms are orange tinged, however, to a lesser extent then Aotus nigriceps.
The species is one of the least known and possibly rarest neotropical primates. this species is listed as vulnerable
by the IUCN and endangered under Peruvian Law.
The Peruvian night monkey is also one of the least studied of all primates. The only data that exists about this species are museum specimens, sighting records and very basic ecological information. The species is thought to inhabit areas of cloud forest
at 900–2800 m (2,952.8–9,186.4 ft) above sea level in the departments of Amazonas
, Huanuco
and San Martin
, and in border regions of neighboring departments.}}.
bud
s and insect
s. This species has been observed in primary and secondary forest, from large areas of contiguous forest to small forest patches.
Neotropical Primate Conservation
with funding from Primate Conservation Inc is currently running a conservation based study on the species in La Esperanza, Amazonas. A network of community run reserves is intended to help conserving the species as well as the sympatric, Critically Endangered yellow-tailed woolly 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...
endemic to northeastern Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
. Adults weigh around 1 kg (2.2 lb) and measure up to 50 cm (19.7 in) in length. Its colour is grey to light brown with characteristic black and white markings on the face. The chest, belly and upper arms are orange tinged, however, to a lesser extent then Aotus nigriceps.
The species is one of the least known and possibly rarest neotropical primates. this species is 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 and endangered under Peruvian Law.
The Peruvian night monkey is also one of the least studied of all primates. The only data that exists about this species are museum specimens, sighting records and very basic ecological information. The species is thought to inhabit areas of cloud forest
Cloud forest
A cloud forest, also called a fog forest, is a generally tropical or subtropical evergreen montane moist forest characterized by a persistent, frequent or seasonal low-level cloud cover, usually at the canopy level. Cloud forests often exhibit an abundance of mosses covering the ground and...
at 900–2800 m (2,952.8–9,186.4 ft) above sea level in the departments of Amazonas
Amazonas Region
Amazonas is a department of northern Peru bordered by Ecuador on the north and west, Cajamarca Department on the west, La Libertad Department on the south, and Loreto Department and San Martín Department on the east. Its capital is the city of Chachapoyas....
, Huanuco
Huánuco
-Famous Natives:* Daniel Alomía Robles - Musical composer and ethnologist born in 1871, famous for El Cóndor Pasa* Johan Fano- Professional football player-External links:*** - Catholic Encyclopedia article...
and San Martin
San Martín Region
San Martín is a region in northern Peru. Most of the region is located in the upper part of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest. Its capital is Moyobamba and the largest city in the region is Tarapoto.-Boundaries:* North and East: Loreto Region...
, and in border regions of neighboring departments.}}.
Behavior
The species is monogamous and lives in small family groups of 2 to 6 individuals similar to that of other Aotus species. Hardly any data exists on the dietary requirements of A. miconax, but it is known that it is generally frugivorous but also consumes leafLeaf
A leaf is an organ of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms, and in particular in plant morphology. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants....
bud
Bud
In botany, a bud is an undeveloped or embryonic shoot and normally occurs in the axil of a leaf or at the tip of the stem. Once formed, a bud may remain for some time in a dormant condition, or it may form a shoot immediately. Buds may be specialized to develop flowers or short shoots, or may have...
s and insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
s. This species has been observed in primary and secondary forest, from large areas of contiguous forest to small forest patches.
Threats and conservation
The main threat facing the Peruvian night monkey is the continued growth of human populations and associated habitat destruction. Hunting is a lesser threat to this species, but it is still hunted for the pet trade and by trophy hunters.Neotropical Primate Conservation
Neotropical Primate Conservation
Neotropical Primate Conservation] was founded in 2007 as a non-profit organization and awarded UK charity status in August 2009...
with funding from Primate Conservation Inc is currently running a conservation based study on the species in La Esperanza, Amazonas. A network of community run reserves is intended to help conserving the species as well as the sympatric, Critically Endangered yellow-tailed woolly monkey
Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey
The yellow-tailed woolly monkey 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...
.