Table of Contents
Overview
Brief Summary
Biology
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Comprehensive Description
Description
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Distribution
Range Description
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Geographic Range
White-bellied spider monkeys, Ateles belzebuth, are found in the northeastern portion of the Amazon in South America. Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil are all countries that this species is known to inhabit.
Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )
- Cant, J., D. Youlatos, M. Rose. 2003. Suspensory locomotion of Lagothrix lagothricha and Ateles belzebuth in Yasuni National Park, Ecuador. Journal of Human Evolution, 4: 685-699.
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Range
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Physical Description
Morphology
Physical Description
A. belzebuth has a similar shape to A. paniscus, with arms and legs longer than the body. These monkeys also have a prehensile tail. A. belzebuth differs from A. paniscus in that it has a pale or white triangular patch on the forehead. Another distinguishing characteristic of this species is that the dorsal side of the animal can range from black to dark or light brown whereas the ventral side is pale brown to white. These animals have bright whitish eyeshine. The prehensile tail of these monkeys is used for locomotion and foraging, and can range from 61 to 88 cm in length. The legs of this species are long and slender. Weight ranges from 5.9 to 10.4 kg. Male body length that ranges from 42 to 50 cm, whereas females can be anywhere from 34 to 59 cm.
Range mass: 5.9 to 10.4 kg.
Range length: 34 to 59 cm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry
- Schafer-Witt, C., C. Welker. 1990. New World Monkeys. Pp. 250-251 in B Grzimek, ed. Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Mammals, Vol. 2, 2 Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Publishing.
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Ecology
Habitat
Habitat and Ecology
Spider monkeys travel and forage in the upper levels of the forest. They spend much time in the canopy and also use the middle and lower strata, but are rarely seen in the understorey. In accordance with their use of the highest levels of the forest, they are highly suspensory. When travelling they spend more time hanging from branches, moving by brachiation and arm swinging, and climbing than they do walking or running on all fours. They are highly frugivorous and feed largely on the mature, soft parts of a very wide variety of fruits, which comprise 83% of their diet and are found mainly in the emergent trees and upper part of the forest canopy (Van Roosmalen and Klein 1988). They also eat young leaves and flowers (both especially at times of fruit shortage during the beginning of the dry season), and besides such as young seeds, floral buds, pseudobulbs, aerial roots, bark, decaying wood, and honey, and very occasionally small insects such as termites and caterpillars. They play a significant role as seed dispersers. Van Roosmalen (1985; Van Roosmalen and Klein 1988) found that A. paniscus was dispersing the seeds of at least 138 species (93.5% of all fruits species used) through their ingestion and subsequent defecation (endozoochory). A further 10 species were being dispersed by the monkeys carrying them off some distance from the tree before dropping them (exozoochory). In only 23 species were the seeds being ruined or eaten (seed predation).
Spider monkeys live in groups of up to 20-30 individuals (for review see Van Roosmalen and Klein 1988). However, they are very rarely all seen together, and nearly always to be found travelling, feeding and resting small in groups of varying size and composition, the only persistent association being that of a mother and her offspring (McFarland Symington 1990). Izawa et al. (1979) reported on subgroup sizes of Ateles belzebuth in La Macarena, Colombia. Group members will also travel on their own. Each female in the group has a “core area” of the group’s home range which she uses most. Subgroups observed by Klein and Klein (1976) were most frequently of 1-4 individuals. Klein and Klein (1976, 1977) estimated 259-388 ha ranges with 20-30% overlap for A. belzebuth in La Macarena National Park, Colombia. Castellanos (1997) estimated a home range of 148 ha on the Río Tawadu in the Río Caura basin, Venezuela. Ateles are rarely seen in association with other primates and mostly they are occasional and ephemeral, resulting from the simultaneous occupation of fruiting trees.
Field studies of the behaviour and ecology of this species have been carried put by Klein and Klein (1975, 1976, 1977) and Ahumada (1989, 1992) in La Macarena, Colombia, Nunes (1988, 1996) in the Maracá Ecological Station, Brazil, and Pozo (2001, 2004a, 2004b, 2004c) in the Yasuní National Park, Ecuador. Castellanos (1995, 1997; Castellanos and Chanin 1996) studied the feeding ecology of Ateles belzebuth along the middle and lower reaches of the Río Tawadu, a tributary of the Río Nichare, a tributary of the Rio Caura.
Six estimated birth dates given by Klein (1971) for A. belzebuth, were spread throughout the year (December, January, April, September, October and November). Spider monkeys apparently reach sexual maturity at 4-5 years of age (Klein 1972; Eisenberg 1973, 1976). They give birth to single offspring after a long gestation period of 226-232 days, with a minimum theoretical interbirth interval in captivity of 17.5 months, but in the wild probably as long as 28-30 months (Eisenberg 1973, 1976). Late maturation and long inter-birth intervals make it difficult for them to recover from hunting and other threats.
Size
H&B 46-50 cm; TL 74-81 cm.
Adult male weight mean 8.3 kg (n=10), adult female weight mean 7.9 kg (Smith and Jungers 1997).
Adult male weight 7.3-9.8 kg (mean 8.5 kg, n=12), adult female weight 5.8-10.4 kg (mean 8.1 kg, n=15) (Ford and Davis 1992).
Systems
- Terrestrial
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Habitat
White-bellied spider monkeys are found in the rainforests of northern South America. They live in the upper levels of tall forests and can be found at a maximum elevation of 1,800 m.
Range elevation: 1,800 (high) m.
Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: rainforest
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Habitat
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Trophic Strategy
Food Habits
The diet of A. belzebuth consists mainly of fruits, but these primates will also eat seeds, leaves, and sometimes dead wood. The amount of time an animal spends about 22% if its time foraging versus 15% of its time moving. Of the time these animals spend feeding, about 83% of the time is spent obtaining ripe fruits. About 7% of their foarging time is spent eating leaves, and the remaining 10% is used getting other food items.
Most feeding occurs during the early morning and late afternoon and occasionally the animal is known to feed during nights with a bright moon.
Plant Foods: leaves; wood, bark, or stems; seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit; flowers; sap or other plant fluids
Primary Diet: herbivore (Frugivore )
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Associations
Ecosystem Roles
Although it occurs with only a few species of seeds, A. belzebuth is known to occasionally increase the rate of germination of some plants. Because these animals eat mostly fruits that are rich in lipids, they may be the best dispersers for fruits that fall into this category.
Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds
- Stevenson, P., M. Castellanos, J. Pizarro, M. Garavito. 2001. Effects of Seed Dispersal by Three Ateline Monkey Species on Seed Germination at TiniguaNational Park, Colombia. International Journal of Primatology, 23: 1187-1204. Accessed February 12, 2004 at http://80-www.kluweronline.com.proxy.lib.umich.edu/issn/0164-0291/contents.
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Predation
Possible predators of this species may include felids or birds of prey such as eagles.
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Life History and Behavior
Behavior
Communication and Perception
A. belzebuth communicates with long calls to identify other members of the group and their territory. It also uses barks and screams which are probably used to signal danger. Tactile communication, in the form of both aggression and affiliative touching (like grooming) also occurs. Visual signals, such as approaching a conspecific, provide important communication about intentions, willingness to mate, and possibly dominance position.
Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic
Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic
- Broekema, I. 2002. "The Primate Foundation of Panama" (On-line). Accessed March 10, 2004 at http://www.primatesofpanama.org/index.html.
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Life Expectancy
Lifespan/Longevity
The lifespan of this species is unknown, but is similar to other spider monkeys. In captivity, the lifespan is 30 to 40 years for other species of spider monkeys.
Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 30 to 40 years.
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 28.0 years.
Average lifespan
Sex: male
Status: captivity: 26.0 years.
Average lifespan
Sex: female
Status: captivity: 26.0 years.
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Lifespan, longevity, and ageing
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Reproduction
Reproduction
A. belzebuth live in groups in which there are three times as many females as there are males. The total number of individuals in a group ranges from 20 to 40. Mating occurs randomly, and females will mate with one or several males in one day. The reproduction of this species is similar to that of other members of Atelinae especially the A. geoffroyi and A. paniscus. Variation occurs with the species.
Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)
Females give birth to one offspring every 2 to 4 years. Their estrus cycle is 24 to 27 days in length, and gestation length is between 210 and 225 days.
Copulations are initiated by females, who approach males. Like other species of Ateles, it is likely that this pattern of initiating copulation leads to high levels of female mate choice, and reduces aggression between males.
Although not reported for this species, males in other species of spider monkeys which have been studied ejaculate after one mount and one series of thrusts.
The timing of sexual maturity in A. belzebuth is not known, but is probably similar to other species in the genus. In these species, sexual maturity of both males and females occurs sometime between 4 and 5.5 years of age.
Breeding interval: These animals can breed every two years.
Breeding season: Breeding is aseasonal in this species.
Average number of offspring: 1.
Range gestation period: 210 to 225 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 4 years.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 5 years.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); fertilization ; viviparous
Average number of offspring: 1.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 1826 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 1461 days.
The exact time of weaning in this species is not known, but is similar to that of other spider monkeys. At 12 to 15 months the infants are weaned, but independence is not achieved until at least 17 months of age. As in most primates, females provide the bulk of parental care. Male parental behavior for this species has not been mentioned.
Parental Investment: no parental involvement; altricial ; pre-fertilization (Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-independence (Protecting: Female); post-independence association with parents; extended period of juvenile learning
- Hrdy, S., P. Whitten. 1987. Patterning of Sexual Activity. Pp. 370-384 in B Smuts, D Cheney, R seyfarth, R Wrangham, T Strusaker, eds. Primate Societies. Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press.
- Robinson, J., C. Janson. 1986. Capuchins, Squirrel Monkeys, and Atelines: Socioecological Convergence with Old World Primates. Pp. 69-82 in B Smuts, D Cheney, R Seyfarth, R Wrangham, T Struhsaker, eds. Primate Societies. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
- Rudolph, E. 2002. "Threatened Andean Species at the Ecozoological San Martin" (On-line). Accessed February 10, 2004 at http://www.sanmartinzoo.org/images/animals/spidermonkeyANDEAN.html.
- Schafer-Witt, C., C. Welker. 1990. New World Monkeys. Pp. 250-251 in B Grzimek, ed. Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Mammals, Vol. 2, 2 Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Publishing.
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Molecular Biology and Genetics
Molecular Biology
Barcode data: Ateles belzebuth
There is 1 barcode sequence available from BOLD and GenBank. Below is the sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species. See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen. Other sequences that do not yet meet barcode criteria may also be available.
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Download FASTA File
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Statistics of barcoding coverage: Ateles belzebuth
Public Records: 1
Species: 1
Species With Barcodes: 1
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Conservation
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List Assessment
Red List Category
Red List Criteria
Version
Year Assessed
Assessor/s
Reviewer/s
Contributor/s
Justification
History
- 2003Vulnerable(IUCN 2003)
- 2000Vulnerable
- 1996Vulnerable
- 1996Vulnerable
- 1994Vulnerable(Groombridge 1994)
- 1990Vulnerable(IUCN 1990)
- 1988Vulnerable(IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1988)
- 1986Vulnerable(IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1986)
- 1982Vulnerable(Thornback and Jenkins 1982)
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Conservation Status
A. belzebuth is considered endangered by IUCN, and is listed on CITES Appendix I. The major threats to this species are loss of habitat through deforestation and hunting. National parks in Colombia aid to the conservation of A. belzebuth as well as specific protected habitats and isolation of the habitats from development.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: appendix i
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: endangered
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Status
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Trends
Population
Population Trend
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Threats
Threats
In Peru, Aquino and Encarnación (1994a) indicated that it is extinct in large areas of its distributional range, and reported that "small remnant populations, subject to a strong hunting pressure, are known from the Río Alto Curaray, an affluent if the Río Napo" (p.40).
In Ecuador, Tirira (2007) recorded that it is rare near human settlements, it is hunted, and in demand for pets, but can be common in undisturbed forests where it is not molested. Defler et al. (2003; Defler 2003, 2004) consider it to be the most endangered of any of the Colombian Amazonian primates, its range being coincident with the most heavily colonized parts of the region.
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Threats
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Management
Conservation Actions
Brazil
Pico da Neblina National Park (2,298,154 ha)
Maracá Ecological Station (103,995 ha) (Nunes et al. 1988))
Juamí-Japurá Ecological Station (832,078 ha) (in range)
Serra da Mocidade National Park (373,130 ha) (in range)
Niquiá Ecological Station (282,830 ha) (in range)
Amazonas National Forest (1,573,100 ha) (in range)
Roraima National Forest (2,664,685 ha) (in range)
Colombia
Amacayacu Natural National Park (293,000 ha) (possibly in range: Defler 2004)
Cahuinarí Natural National Park (575,500 ha) (possibly in range: Defler 2004)
Serrania de Chiribiquete Natural National Park (1,280,000 ha) (in range: Defler 2004)
Cordillera de los Picachos Natural National Park (286,600 ha) (Defler 2004)
Cueva de los Guacharos Natural National Park (9,000 ha) (in range: Defler 2004)
La Paya Natural National Park (442,000 ha) (possibly in range: Defler 2004; reported by interview Palanco-Ochoa et al., 1999)
Tinigua Natural National Park (201,875 ha) (Defler 2004)
Serranía de la Macarena Natural National Park (630,000 ha) (Ahumada 1989, 1992)
Nukak Natural National Reserve (855,000 ha) (in range: Defler 2004)
Puinawai Natural National Reserve (1,092,500 ha) (in range: Defler 2004)
Ecuador
Podocarpus National Park (146,280 ha) (Tirira 2007)
Sumaco-Napo Galeras National Park (205,249 ha) (Tirira 2007)
Yasuní National Park (982,300 ha) (Pozo 2001; Tirira 2007)
Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve (403,100 ha) (Tirira 2007)
Cofán-Bermejo Ecological Reserve (55,451 ha) (Tirira 2007)
Peru
Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve (2,080,000 ha) (in range: Aquino and Encarnación 1994a). Soini et al. (1989) informed that it exists in low numbers in the Pacaya-Samiria basin. Neville et al. (1976) reported one sighting of Ateles chamek in the reserve.
Venezuela
Serrania de la Neblina National Park (1,360,000 ha) (in range)
Parima Tapirapecó National Park (3,420,000 ha) (in range)
Duida-Marahuaca National Park (210,000 ha) (in range)
Jauá-Sarisarinama National Park (330,000 ha) (in range)
Yapacana National Park (320,000 ha) (in range).
It is listed on Appendix II of CITES.
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Conservation
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Relevance to Humans and Ecosystems
Benefits
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
There are no known adverse affects of A. belzebuth on humans.
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Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
There are no known benefits this species provides to humans.
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Wikipedia
White-fronted spider monkey
The white-fronted spider monkey (Ateles belzebuth), also known as the long-haired or white-bellied spider monkey, is an endangered species of spider monkey, a type of New World monkey. It is found in the north-western Amazon in Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru and Brazil, ranging as far south as the lower Ucayali River and as far east as the Branco River.[2] In the past, the Peruvian, brown and white-cheeked spider monkeys have been treated as subspecies of A. belzebuth. As presently defined, the white-fronted spider monkey is monotypic.[1] It has a whitish belly and a pale patch on the forehead, which, despite the name white-fronted spider monkey, often is orange-buff.[3][4] They live in groups of 20 to 40 individuals, splitting into small parties of 1 to 9 when in activity.[5]
Vernacular names include mono prieto, mico prieto and marimonda (Colombia).
Contents |
Locomotion
All members of Ateles are semi-brachiators, and this species has an intermembral index of 105. They have a fairly dorsally placed scapula to allow for increased mobility involved in brachiation. Their prehensile tail with a hairless gripping pad at the end also allows for this locomotion, which then means they have increased caudal vertebrae, with about 31 caudal vertebrae as opposed to another platyrrhine like Cebus with only 23 on average. This tail allows for additional grasping of branches, which means there is less lateral movement while brachiating which increases efficiency. The hairless gripping pad of the underside of the tip of their tail is often compared to a finger, since it allows surface gripping. Their curved hands with long metacarpal bones allows for easy brachiation. They do not have an external thumb, which sets them apart from most other primates.
Dentition
Ateles belzebuth has a dental formula of 2.1.3.3. As far as patterns within the teeth, there is a lot of variation but the following are often found within Ateles. Larger incisors and small molars reflect the largely frugivorous diet, with a diastema separating the upper canines from the upper incisors, for the lower incisor. The upper premolars have one to two cusps, with the first premolar having only one cusp, a paracone. The second premolar has a paracone and protocone cusp connected by transverse crest. The third premolar has three cusps, paracone, metacone, and protocone, with the metacone and protocone connected by a crista oblique. There is a recorded hypocone on the third premolar. In the bottom premolars, the first premolar has one cusp although it can be bicuspid. The second and third premolar generally have 2-3 cusps, although the second bottom premolar has an entoconid and hypoconid and the third bottom premolar in belzebuth has five cusps with a small hypoconulid. Upper molars generally have four cusps although the third molar may not have a hypocone (might even have only two cusps). With the bottom molars, there are generally four cusps and a fifth cusp on the third molar.
References
- ^ a b Groves, C. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. eds. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 150. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=12100394.
- ^ a b Boubli, J.-P., Di Fiore, A., Stevenson, P., Link, A., Marsh, L. & Morales, A.L. (2008). "Ateles belzebuth". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/2276. Retrieved 19 January 2012. Database entry includes justification for why this species is endangered.
- ^ Sumac Muyu Foundation (2009). Photo of Ateles belzebuth. Flickr
- ^ raskin227 (2009). Photo of Ateles belzebuth. Flickr
- ^ Louise Emmons and Francois Feer (1997). Neotropical Rainforest Mammals.
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