Common squirrel monkey
Common squirrel monkey[1] | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Primates |
Suborder: | Haplorhini |
Infraorder: | Simiiformes |
Family: | Cebidae |
Subfamily: | Saimiriinae |
Genus: | Saimiri |
Groups included | |
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Geographic range | |
Cladistically included but traditionally excluded taxa | |
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Common squirrel monkey is the traditional common name for several small
Range and introductions
Common squirrel monkeys are found primarily in the
- Guianan squirrel monkey, S. sciureus
- Collins' squirrel monkey, S. collinsi
- Humboldt's squirrel monkey, S. cassiquiarensis
The Ecuadorian squirrel monkey, S. cassiquiarensis macrodon, has also sometimes been regarded as a separate species.[4]
As a result of these populations no longer being considered S. scuireus, the range of S. scuireus is now limited to Brazil and the Guianas.[4][5]
A group of free-ranging individuals was spotted and photographed in 2009 at the
At least five populations of common squirrel monkeys have existed in Florida since the 1960s, if not earlier.
Biology and behavior
Diet
Common squirrel monkeys are considered both
The amount of time squirrel monkeys spend foraging depends on the type of food. When bigger fruits and easy access occur, they do not spend much time foraging. Otherwise, they dedicate a considerable amount of time to looking for their foods. Foraging also keeps the monkeys entertained and active. Oftentimes when they are captive, they easily become bored as the food is more easily obtained.[13]
Social behavior
Common squirrel monkeys are polygamous with a multiple-male, multiple-female group structure.[14] Most social interactions in S. sciureus groups occur within the various age/sex classes,[15] with the division of classes being between adult male categories, mother-infant categories, and juvenile categories.[14] The core of the group is made up of the adult females and their young.[16] As a result of the natural attraction each class has to the adult females, the different age/sex classes come together as one social group.[15] Though juveniles play and jump around an appreciable amount during phases of high activity, they usually stay close to the adult females.[15] In terms of the males' level of attraction to the adult females, the phase of the yearly reproductive cycle determines their distance from the adult females.[15] Overall, interactions between the various age/sex classes are most frequently directed to adult females.[15] The division of age/sex classes among S. sciureus is not so strictly defined because the degree of segregation between gender can vary. That is, those subspecies which have a high degree of sexual dimorphism are sexually segregated, such that the males and females of that subspecies interact less with each other than do those of subspecies that are not very sexually dimorphic and thus sexually integrated.[17]
Seasonal reproduction[14] plays a major role in the social behavior of common squirrel monkeys, where the frequency of between-sex interactions of the males and females differs between the birth season and the mating season.[18] Adult males are generally socially inactive during the birth season and spend their time travelling and foraging at a distance from the group.[18] During the mating season, though, the adult males become fatter, excited, aggressive, and highly vocal and spend most of their time engaging in dominance interactions among themselves or following and approaching the adult females in estrus, in hopes of being able to mate with them.[15] Males can increase their chances at copulating with receptive females by approaching them quietly.[15] Nonreceptive females, though, respond aggressively to any male approach and threaten and chase the males away, usually with the help of surrounding females.[15] Overall, intersexual interaction among common squirrel monkeys greatly increases during the mating season.[19]
Common squirrel monkey infants develop rapidly. They become fairly independent between five and eight months of age and spend only a small percentage of the day with their mothers. Also at this age range, the infants can find food on their own.[18] Infants are active members of the social group, climbing, running, exploring, and frequently making contact with adult members of the group.[18] Most adult-infant interactions are initiated by infants towards adult females that are not their mothers.[18] Adults generally respond to the infants calmly, but some adults may respond with antagonism.[18] Infants rank the lowest in the group.[20]
Many other aspects of common squirrel monkey social behavior, such as dominance relationships,
Once sexually mature, all males emigrate from their natal groups. After leaving, they may either become solitary, a peripheral of another troop, join another mixed-sex troop, or attend a tolerant troop of another monkey species. If they become a peripheral of another group, the male squirrel monkey chooses one troop and keeps a certain distance away from them while still trying to follow them. These males are the less dominant ones. A few male squirrel monkeys have been observed interacting with groups of other monkey species. Some females may leave their natal groups, as well, although they tend to be more philopatric. If females do leave their natal groups, they do it after becoming sexually mature. Often, they migrate before or right after a mating season. Due to this, they might end up leaving their group when they are pregnant or with their immature offspring.[22]
Males are typically dominant to females, but females still have a high status in the group.[14] and are capable of forming coalitions against dominant males.[23] Rarely do males form coalitions even if a group of males keeps their distance from the main group or are solitary. Several theories suggest that one of the reasons that male squirrel monkeys do not form coalitions is because of the lack of kinship due to emigration. Coalitions may also increase mortality risks within the group since males tend to be aggressive to each other.[22]
Genital display among males is an important social signal in relation to group hierarchy; it is derived from
Habits
Common squirrel monkeys are diurnal. They are usually quiet, but will utter loud cries when alarmed. They use different types of calls for specific situations. Some of their common call types include caws, bawls, and shrieks. Squirrel monkeys utter caws mostly when they are trying to defend a territory. They may use bawls prior to a fight, as well as after one. Shrieks are mainly heard when the monkeys are fighting for dominance. Squirrel monkeys' most common calls are determined by their genetics. Squirrel monkeys that have been isolated since infancy are able to produce the same calls as those that have been exposed to the calls. Few variations exist between the frequencies of the calls of infants that were raised differently. A squirrel monkey that was deaf since birth was also able to produce the same calls, proving that the calls come from their genes.[25] It is arboreal, but sometimes it comes down to the ground. Bands or troops can number from 12-100. Occasionally, troops as large as 500 have been seen in undisturbed forests.
Conservation status
Prior to the taxon being splits, common squirrel monkeys were rated as "least concern" by
As pets
Due to their inquisitive and playful nature, these common squirrel monkeys are popular pets. They require a large amount of space and food.
Gallery
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At the Phoenix Zoo
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At the Phoenix Zoo
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At the Phoenix Zoo
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In the walkthrough area of the Woburn Safari Park
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A pet squirrel monkey in a cage at a house in the former plantation Rust en Werk
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Pet squirrel monkey on lady's shoulder
References
- OCLC 62265494.
- ^ .
- ISBN 9780851997483).
- ^ ISBN 978-8496553897.
- ^ ISBN 9781940496061.
- S2CID 85881653. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
- PMID 25305518.
- PMID 25451802.
- ^ O Globo, 4 May 2009, Ancelmo Gois column
- ^ "Espécies invasoras estão entre as maiores vilãs da biodiversidade". O Globo (in Portuguese). 25 May 2010.
- ^ ISBN 1-55963-430-8. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ISBN 1-55963-430-8. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ^ JSTOR 4608213.
- ^ .
- ^ PMID 4975594.
- ^ PMID 4198058.
- PMID 102567.
- ^ S2CID 31738490.
- S2CID 27639581.
- ^ .
- S2CID 23232934.
- ^ JSTOR 4536261.
- S2CID 44907293.
- ^ .
- JSTOR 4535882.