OWL MONKEY FACTS
| Family: Cebidae |
Subfamily: Aotinae |
| Genus:Aotus |
Species: ten -- |
- nigriceps (southern red-necked night monkey)
- azarai (red-necked)
- infulatus (red-necked)
- miconax (red-necked)
- nancymaae (red-necked)
- trivirgatus (northern gray-necked owl monkey)
- brumbacki (gray-necked)
- hershkovitzi (gray-necked)
- lemurinus (gray-necked)
- vociferans (gray-necked)
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Also called dourocouli.
Classifications are disputed. Genus used to contain 1 species and 10 subspecies. In 1983 all were elevated to separate species, based on genetic evidence. Only two forms are readily recognizable - gray and red necked.
Appearance:
Fairly similar in appearance, white black and white facial markings, gray to brown colored back, large eyes - the largest of any South American primate (for night vision,) and non-prehensile tail. Difference is mainly in the undercoat and neck color. They are normally 11-16 inches long in body, with males slightly longer, and weigh around 2 pounds. Red-necked owl monkeys are a bit heavier than gray.
Range and Diet:
Primarily Brazil, also found in southern Central America and as far south as Argentina. Found in forest habitats. Fruit accounts for most of their diet, but they will also eat leaves, flowers, sap, and animal prey.
Behavior and Social Structure:
As their name suggests, owl monkeys are the only nocturnal monkey species. They are arboreal, with different species preferring different levels and types of forest. They are monogamous, which is rare in mammals, and travel in family groups. The pair will share in territorial defense. Communicate by vocalizations - including an owl-like hoot, and a series of resonating grunts produced in their laryngeal sacs - and scent marking with both urine and glandular secretions.
Reproduction and Lifespan:
There seems to be a breeding season, though not much is known about the behavior of the night monkeys. Females give birth to a single infant which is carried by the male a good part of the time. This involvement is said to be necessary because females are either pregnant or lactating year-round. Male and female offspring both emigrate from their family group by three years of age. Owl and night monkeys live about 20 years.
Conservation Status:
Both groups are listed as Lower Risk (CITES II.)
Interesting Owl Monkey Facts:
Paraguan night monkeys (azarai) are more active in daylight because of danger from great horned owls.
A. miconax shares a habitat with a species of titi monkey.
Subadult males will hoot at their territory border for 1-2 hours during a full moon to attract a mate.
Gray-necked owl monkeys are often found living near human settlements.
Gray-necked owls monkeys have been used in lab studies of malaria and herpes virus.
Owl monkeys are widely used in lab studies of brain and behavior.
Recent Research with Owl Monkeys:
(Note: The following are examples of recent research done with these primates, it is by no means an exhaustive list. This list will be periodically updated as more information becomes available. Also, though Mindy's Memory Primate Sanctuary DOES NOT support invasive medical research on primates, some articles of this type will be listed - both for information purposes and as examples of the work that is currently being done with these animals.)
Jantschke B; Welker C; Klaiber-Schuh A
Rearing without paternal help in the Bolivian owl monkey Aotus azarae boliviensis: A case study. FOLIA PRIMATOLOGICA 69(2): 115-120, 1998.
Kinzey, W G
Synopsis of New World primates: Aotus. Pp. 186-191 in NEW WORLD PRIMATES: ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, AND BEHAVIOR. W.G. Kinzey, ed. New York, Aldine de Gruyter, 1997.
Welker C; Jantschke B; Klaiber-Schuh A
Behavioural data on the titi monkey Callicebus cupreus and the owl monkey Aotus azarae boliviensis. A contribution to the discussion on the correct systematic classification of these species. Part III: Living in family groups. PRIMATE REPORT 51: 29-42, 1998.
Welker C; Jantschke B; Klaiber-Schuh A
Behavioural data on the titi monkey Callicebus cupreus and the owl monkey Aotus azarae boliviensis. A contribution to the discussion on the correct systematic classification of these species. Part IV: Breeding biology. PRIMATE REPORT 51: 43-53, 1998.
Welker C; Jantschke B; Klaiber-Schuh A
Behavioural data on the titi monkey Callicebus cupreus and the owl monkey Aotus azarae boliviensis. A contribution to the discussion on the correct systematic classification of these species. Part V: Miscellaneous notes and final discussion. PRIMATE REPORT 51: 55-71, 1998.
Owl Monkey Websites
References:
Rowe N (1996) The Pictorial Guide to the Living Primates. East Hampton: Pogonias Press
Sleeper B (1997) Primates. San Francisco: Chronicle Books
