CAPUCHIN MONKEYS: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, SPECIES, REPRODUCTION - BIOLOGY - 2024

Capuchin monkeys are a complex group of species of the genus Cebus that are located in much of the American continent. They belong to the Cebidae family, one of the most diverse families of Platyrhine primates in the New World.

They are monkeys of daytime activity, with sizes from medium to large. The tails in all species are prehensile and hairy, generally curved downwards and with a curled tip. Most species of Cebus have a uniform brown coloration. They are generally recognized by the facial and body coloring pattern. They usually have a dark line or spot on the head that may or may not extend to the forehead.

Capuchin Monkey By Laura Patiño C.

It has caused great interest in researchers, since capuchins have the largest relative brain size of all monkeys and show great intelligence. Capuchin monkeys are quite long-lived, they live around 30 years in the wild, and can reach 55 years in captivity.

These monkeys display complex social behaviors, in addition to the ability to imitate and learn eating behaviors and established "traditions" within the group. Communication between individuals encompasses different types of vocalizations, as well as an elaborate system of body language.

Capuchin monkeys are the most used as pets in Central and South America. Representatives of the genus Cebus tolerate living in captivity, adapting and reproducing in zoos and urbanized environments due, in large part, to the high plasticity of their diet.

Cebus capucinus individuals By John Trainor

These primates tend to live in diverse environments, from dry areas with little plant cover to humid and dense tropical forests. Their diet is very varied, generally including ripe fruits, dry leaves and tender shoots, invertebrates and small vertebrates.

Females spend 5% more time on feeding and foraging activities compared to males. Males tend to consume larger prey, so they obtain a greater amount of protein per unit of time spent searching for food in contrast to females.

Due to their social behavior, they tend to form troops with numerous individuals. These groups usually consist of an alpha male, numerous adult females, juvenile individuals, and young. In some cases, males can serve as alpha males for a period of up to 18 years.

Capuchin troops are characterized by establishing hierarchies of linear dominance, frequent grooming activities, and the formation of coalitions. Males often migrate between groups in conjunction with other related males. In some cases, capuchin monkeys form dyads between members of the same troop or individuals from different troops.

Infanticide is a frequent event among the Capuchin troops and represents the main reason for the death of the young. Infanticide occurs when the alpha male is replaced by another male through a confrontation.

The genus Cebus comprises four accepted species, distributed in Central and South America. The Cebus capucinus species is one of the most common and studied. This article describes the main characteristics of this particular species.

General characteristics

The representatives of the species C. capucinus are medium-sized animals, with a weight that varies between 1.5 and 4 kilograms. They have a deep black prehensile tail, with the underparts a brownish hue. The head is white-yellowish with a black crown. The face has reddish tones with scattered white fur.

The hands and feet are blackish and the abdominal area has sparse black fur. They have pale yellow fur on the chest and throat. The dorsal area has a thicker and longer coat of brownish-black color.

Cebus albifrons versicolor is a fairly variable subspecies that includes a complex of forms (subspecies leucocephalus, malitiosus, adustus, cesarae and pleei as synonyms) that is still being discussed due to morphological complications.

Recent genetic analyzes indicate that many of the accepted subspecies for Cebus albifrons may represent different species, however, a consensus has not been reached among Neotropical primate specialists.

Cebus kaapori

C. kaapori

State of conservation

All the species belonging to the genus Cebus are in some category of threat according to the IUCN. All species and subspecies are subject to very similar pressures consisting of the destruction of their habitats, hunting for subsistence or elimination, and the illegal trade in individuals as pets.

Several species are considered critically endangered due to a drastic reduction in their populations in the last three generations. Many of them have suffered a reduction in their populations of up to 80% due to the loss and transformation of habitat and the hunting of wild animals for consumption.

For these reasons, the genus Cebus is one of the most threatened in the Neotropics. Some species are considered in the category of least concern (Cebus albifrons) since they present a wide distribution.

However, some subspecies such as C. albifrons aequatorialis (northeast of Ecuador and Peru) are classified as critically endangered due to a considerable reduction in their habitat as a result of deforestation.

The resolution of the taxonomic identity problems of many geographically highly localized species and subspecies can result in many of these being critically threatened.

Reproduction

Female with her calf By Cephas

Cebus capucinus monkeys can breed throughout the year, although the highest frequency of births occurs between May and July. This seasonality in reproduction is related to a peak of abundance of fruits in the habitats of these monkeys.

In this way, the time of greatest energy requirement in females, which is during early lactation, coincides with a period of production of large fruits.

Females usually reproduce for the first time around the age of six. They generally have deliveries by a single individual, although the birth of twins is also frequent.

After their first reproduction, females reproduce every two years, until around their 30s, where their reproductive rhythms slow down or stop altogether.

Males become sexually mature at the age of 10. Groups with large numbers of adult males and females prevent father-daughter inbreeding.

Capuchins are polygamous, although the alpha male copulates a greater number of times with the same female when the latter is at her peak of fertility. Copulas last between 2 and 10 minutes and are carried out after a chase by the male and prolonged courtship vocalizations.

Gestation and breeding

The gestation period lasts about six months. After birth, females carry their young on their backs for their first three months. Between four and six months, the offspring already move alone, spending up to 10% of their time away from their mother.

Around two years of age the young begin to spend almost all their time alone, this time coinciding with the arrival of a new young. Weaning occurs at approximately one year of age, although at six months the offspring begin to consume some fruits and small insects.

The care of the young is an important characteristic of the capuchins. Most of the members of the troop participate actively in their care (alloparental care).

The care of the calf by the troop increases if the mother of the calf is absent or dies. Adoptions can even occur by lactating females. This type of group care lasts up to three years when the mother of the calf is absent. The following video shows the birth of a calf:

Nutrition

Cebus capucinus female feeding By Cephas

Capuchin monkeys of the genus Cebus are omnivores and have an opportunistic feeding pattern. This means that individuals tend to consume the most common items found in the areas where they feed.

They have a very varied diet that includes various items of plant origin such as fresh fruits and leaves, and also an animal component that represents around 20% of their diet. They consume a variety of invertebrates and small vertebrates such as lizards, squirrels, birds and even young coatis (Nasua narica) and some small arboreal mammals.

Capuchins of the species C. capucinus have great plasticity and adaptability in their diets, in addition to being characteristic for their varied feeding behaviors.

The latter may be largely due to their dexterity to manipulate various materials and substrates, in addition to their ability to adapt to the traditional behaviors of the groups to which they belong.

Variations in feeding groups of

The groups of Cebus capucinus that make up a population differ from each other in terms of their diets. In some groups, fruits represent up to 80% of the diet and insects about 15%. In other groups, insects constitute a much more important item, representing up to 45% of the diet of these individuals.

In many cases, the difference in diets between neighboring groups is not due to the availability of food, as their territories often overlap. In these cases, it is possible that food selection is affected by traditions learned by individuals, which allows them to choose one or another food.

Some Cebus males migrate between groups, adapting their diet according to the habits shown by the individuals in their new group. This behavior supports the theory that the type of feeding of these monkeys is highly influenced by the customs or traditions of the troop.

In other Cebus species, such as C. olivaceus, the size of the group and its composition affect the feeding pattern of the groups. Large troops tend to travel greater distances and eat less fruit, consuming more invertebrates, such as small land snails.

Dietary differences between the sexes

The Cebus capucinus species presents a marked difference in diet and feeding behavior between males and females. These differences can be attributed to three characteristics: sexual dimorphism, pregnancy and lactation of females, as well as evasion of competition for resources.

The females feed on a larger quantity of small and medium-sized invertebrates, being common the consumption of larvae buried in the ground or within the bark of the trees. The vertebrates consumed by the females are usually the eggs and chicks of various species of birds.

Pregnant and lactating females spend less time on feeding activities. These females tend to focus on foods that require little energy to obtain and handle, such as larvae and large fruits.

In this way, they can meet their nutritional requirements more quickly, spending more time to rest and meet the energy demands of these periods.

Males, on the other hand, consume larger invertebrates such as crickets, cockroaches and cicadas over 8 centimeters in length that usually hunt at ground level or less than 5 meters high. In addition, they are frequent predators of a variety of vertebrates generally captured at ground level.

Separation of food niche between sexes

There is also a separation of niches in the vertical layer between males and females. Males tend to occupy lower strata, while females commonly feed in the upper strata of trees, perching on terminal branches.

This separation between males and females can be due to several factors. At lower altitudes or at ground level there is a greater risk of predators, so females tend to avoid these layers.

The larger size of the males makes them less vulnerable to their predators, allowing them to occupy areas of greater risk than the females.

On the other hand, the larger size of the males gives them less ability to perform feeding activities in high strata, while the females can perch on thin and tall branches.

In general, males exert some dominance over females, so that when they capture some large prey, they could lose it in the presence of a male.

Predation of vertebrates by

C. capucinus

Part of a troop of capuchin monkeys By Cyrilg

Cebus capucinus is a species with complex behaviors. These animals form social groups where individuals have a cooperative role in various activities such as defense of territory, detection and deterrence of predators, grooming activities and support in coalitions.

Recent studies have shown that cappuccinos have a great ability to manipulate different types of tools. These animals frequently throw some objects such as branches, large fruits, bromeliads and even other dead animals, for aggressive and defensive purposes.

Capuchin males have also been observed hitting a venomous snake (Bothrops asper) repeatedly with a branch, causing serious injury. In this case, the males threw large branches at the snake to prevent its escape and subsequently beat it repeatedly until it was dead.

Groups of monkeys that are not used to human presence often respond with cries of alarm, flight and even aggression. However, being exposed to the presence of people they quickly get used to them.

Several investigations have shown that the time it takes for these monkeys to get used to humans is approximately 4 weeks.

Social structure

Capuchin monkeys (C. capucinus) usually live in troops with around 20 members, although groups with up to 40 individuals have been recorded. The troops formed by these monkeys contain from 2 to 11 adult females, between 1 and 13 adult males, juvenile individuals and young.

The members of the troops are usually related, existing within the group half brothers or brothers of a mother. It is less common for male offspring to remain in the troop.

Generally the males form alliances with other males, to be able to take charge of the troops with mature females. When the troop becomes very large, it tends to divide as a consequence of difficulties in coordination.

Related females often stay together, so if a female migrates from one group to another, her daughters and sisters are likely to migrate with her.

In most groups, the alpha male is the first to breed, while subordinate males must wait until the alpha male's daughters reach reproductive ages to mate with them.

Females often strongly support the alpha male during attacks by coalitions as a way to prevent infanticide, should the alpha male be replaced.

Vocalizations

Cebus capucinus monkeys form groups with which they move in a coordinated manner. These animals have highly arboreal habits, so communication through eye contact and body language is impeded by the distance between individuals and the tree canopy.

Chirps are used to steer the group in a certain direction. These are emitted by adults (males and females) located on the peripheries of the group. Individuals usually respond to these vocalizations in the first 10 minutes after they are broadcast.

Adults who can change the direction of group travel are mainly located on the leading edge, although chirps also occur on the sides and back of the groups.

On some occasions, subadult individuals emit chirps, but these do not generate a response in the group's trajectory, being answered only by other subadults.

Vocalizations of alarm, anguish and clashes between members of a group have also been recorded. The short howls are emitted by a member of the group when it is in an area with great abundance of fruits and other food items.

References

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