Sooty mangabey: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 05:20, 16 February 2025

Article about the Sooty Mangabey

The Sooty Mangabey (Cercocebus atys) is a species of Old World monkey found in the forests of West Africa. It is known for its distinctive sooty coloration and is a member of the Cercopithecidae family.

Description[edit]

The Sooty Mangabey is a medium-sized primate with a body length ranging from 40 to 60 cm and a tail that is often longer than its body. The fur is predominantly greyish-brown, giving it a "sooty" appearance, which is the origin of its common name. The face is typically darker, with a lighter area around the eyes and mouth.

Habitat and Distribution[edit]

The Sooty Mangabey inhabits the dense tropical and subtropical forests of West Africa, particularly in countries such as Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, and Ghana. It prefers lowland forests but can also be found in secondary forests and mangroves.

Behavior[edit]

Sooty Mangabeys are diurnal and primarily terrestrial, although they are capable climbers. They live in large social groups that can number up to 100 individuals. These groups are typically composed of multiple males and females, along with their offspring. The species is known for its complex social structure and vocal communication.

Diet[edit]

The diet of the Sooty Mangabey is omnivorous, consisting of fruits, seeds, leaves, and small animals. They are known to forage on the forest floor and are adept at using their hands to manipulate food items.

Reproduction[edit]

Females give birth to a single offspring after a gestation period of approximately six months. The young are cared for by the mother and other group members, and they are weaned at about one year of age.

Conservation Status[edit]

The Sooty Mangabey is currently classified as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The primary threats to its survival include habitat destruction due to logging and agriculture, as well as hunting for bushmeat.

Related pages[edit]

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-'''Sooty Mangabey''' (''Cercocebus atys'') is a species of Old World monkey found primarily in the forests of West Africa. This primate is known for its distinctive dark fur, which ranges from grey to black, and its relatively large size compared to other mangabeys. The sooty mangabey is a terrestrial and arboreal animal, spending much of its time foraging for food on the ground but also utilizing the trees for feeding and sleeping. This species plays a significant role in its ecosystem by dispersing seeds and thus contributing to forest regeneration.
+{{short description|Article about the Sooty Mangabey}}
+{{Taxobox
+| name = Sooty Mangabey
+| image = Cercocebus_atys_219636002.jpg
+| image_caption = Sooty Mangabey in its natural habitat
+| status = NT
+| status_system = IUCN3.1
+| genus = ''Cercocebus''
+| species = ''C. atys''
+}}
+The '''Sooty Mangabey''' (''Cercocebus atys'') is a species of [[Old World monkey]] found in the forests of [[West Africa]]. It is known for its distinctive sooty coloration and is a member of the [[Cercopithecidae]] family.
 ==Description==
-The sooty mangabey is characterized by its sooty-grey to black fur, with a paler underside. Adults typically weigh between 5 to 10 kg, with males being larger than females. They have a long tail, which aids in balance, and a distinctive facial appearance with a pronounced muzzle and large, forward-facing eyes. Their hands and feet are adapted for both terrestrial locomotion and arboreal movements, allowing them to move efficiently on the ground and in the trees.
+The Sooty Mangabey is a medium-sized primate with a body length ranging from 40 to 60 cm and a tail that is often longer than its body. The fur is predominantly greyish-brown, giving it a "sooty" appearance, which is the origin of its common name. The face is typically darker, with a lighter area around the eyes and mouth.
 ==Habitat and Distribution==
-[[Sooty Mangabey|Sooty mangabeys]] are found in a variety of forest habitats, including primary and secondary forests, mangrove forests, and bamboo forests. Their range extends from Senegal in the west to Ghana in the east, with isolated populations possibly existing further east. They prefer habitats with dense undergrowth, which provides cover and a variety of food sources.
+[[File:Cercocebus_atys_219636002.jpg|thumb|right|Sooty Mangabey in the forest]]
+The Sooty Mangabey inhabits the dense tropical and subtropical forests of West Africa, particularly in countries such as [[Sierra Leone]], [[Liberia]], [[Ivory Coast]], and [[Ghana]]. It prefers lowland forests but can also be found in secondary forests and mangroves.
 ==Behavior==
-Sooty mangabeys live in large, multi-male, multi-female groups, with group sizes varying widely but can include up to 100 individuals. They have a complex social structure, with a dominance hierarchy present among both males and females. These primates are diurnal, active during the day, and spend a significant amount of time foraging for a wide variety of foods, including fruits, seeds, leaves, and insects.
+Sooty Mangabeys are diurnal and primarily terrestrial, although they are capable climbers. They live in large social groups that can number up to 100 individuals. These groups are typically composed of multiple males and females, along with their offspring. The species is known for its complex social structure and vocal communication.
+==Diet==
+The diet of the Sooty Mangabey is omnivorous, consisting of fruits, seeds, leaves, and small animals. They are known to forage on the forest floor and are adept at using their hands to manipulate food items.
 ==Reproduction==
-Females give birth to a single offspring after a gestation period of approximately 5 to 6 months. The interbirth interval can be as long as two years, depending on environmental conditions and the availability of resources. Juveniles are cared for primarily by their mothers but also receive attention from other members of the group.
+Females give birth to a single offspring after a gestation period of approximately six months. The young are cared for by the mother and other group members, and they are weaned at about one year of age.
 ==Conservation Status==
-The [[Sooty Mangabey|sooty mangabey]] is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The primary threats to this species include habitat loss due to deforestation for agriculture and logging, as well as hunting for bushmeat. Conservation efforts are focused on habitat protection and the establishment of protected areas, as well as education and sustainable management practices in regions where they are found.
+The Sooty Mangabey is currently classified as Near Threatened by the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] (IUCN). The primary threats to its survival include habitat destruction due to logging and agriculture, as well as hunting for bushmeat.
-==Health and Research==
+==Related pages==
-Sooty mangabeys are of particular interest to medical research because they are natural hosts for the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), which does not cause AIDS in this species. Studies of sooty mangabeys have provided valuable insights into the mechanisms of HIV resistance and are contributing to the development of treatments and vaccines for HIV/AIDS in humans.
+* [[Old World monkey]]
+* [[Cercopithecidae]]
-==See Also==
 * [[Primate]]
-* [[Old World monkey]]
-* [[Conservation status]]
-* [[Habitat destruction]]
-* [[Simian immunodeficiency virus]]
-[[Category:Primates]]
+[[Category:Old World monkeys]]
-[[Category:Mammals of Africa]]
+[[Category:Mammals of West Africa]]
 [[Category:Vulnerable species]]
-{{Primate-stub}}