Allen's swamp monkey
Species of Old World monkey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Allen's swamp monkey (Allenopithecus nigroviridis) is a species of Old World monkey and the only member of the genus Allenopithecus. Phylogenetically, it is a sister clade to the guenons,[3] but differs in dentition and habits.
| Allen's swamp monkey[1] | |
|---|---|
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| At the Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Placentalia |
| Order: | Primates |
| Family: | Cercopithecidae |
| Subfamily: | Cercopithecinae |
| Tribe: | Cercopithecini |
| Genus: | Allenopithecus Lang, 1923 |
| Species: | A. nigroviridis |
| Binomial name | |
| Allenopithecus nigroviridis (Pocock, 1907) | |
 | |
| Allen's swamp monkey range | |
Allen's swamp monkey was named after American zoologist Joel Asaph Allen.[4]
Range
Allen's swamp monkey lives in the Congo Basin, with its range spanning the Republic of Congo, Cameroon, and the west of the Democratic Republic of Congo.[5][6] Prior to the 1990s, its range was believed to be limited to the riparian forests and swamps adjacent to the lower Likouala-aux-Herbes, Oubangui, and Sangha rivers, however a discontinuous population was confirmed in the upper Sangha in 2006, about 100 km (62 mi) northwest of its previously recognized range.[7] It was recorded from Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve in the Central African Republic in 2016.[2]
Description
Allen's swamp monkey has a stocky build,[8] differing from the typically gracile bodies of other members of Cercopithecini.[9] It can reach a full body length from 45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 in),[citation needed] with a roughly 50 cm (20 in) long tail.[8] Males, weighing up to 6.0 kg (13.2 lb), are substantially larger than the females, which only weigh up to 3.7 kg (8.2 lb).[8] Allen's swamp monkey has a generalized skeleton that facilitates both arboreal and terrestrial locomotion.[9] With the exception of the free thumb, the fingers are webbed between the proximal phalanges, which may be an adaptation to its palustral lifestyle.[10]
Behavior
Allen's swamp monkey is a diurnal animal and regularly looks for food on the ground. It inhabits swampy, water-rich areas and can swim well, diving to avoid danger. It lives in social groups of up to 40 animals, communicating with different calls, gestures, and touches.
Its diet consists of fruits and leaves, as well as beetles and worms.
Little is known about the mating habits of this species. The females bear young, which are weaned around three months old and are mature after three to five years. Its lifespan can be as long as 28 years.[5] Raptors, and snakes are the natural predators of Allen's swamp monkey. It is also hunted for its meat.