Allenopithecus nigroviridis
Allen's swamp monkey

The range of Allenopithecus nigroviridis is from the Upper and Eastern basins of the Congo to Western Zaire (Walker 1975).

Studies from the Lomako Forest in Zaire suggest that A. nigroviridis is found only in the swamp forests. This differs from many other cercopithecids in that region, which occupy primary, secondary, and Mbau forests. The species is arboreal and at least semi-terrestrial (McGraw 1994).

Again little is known about the specific reproductive system of A. nigroviridis. Like other cercopithecids, females generally give birth to one offspring at a time. The young are typically weaned at 2.5 months (Hayssen and Van Tienhoven 1993). The length of estrus and menses is unknown as well as the breeding season. Allenopithecus nigroviridis can live up to 2 decades. ( http://www.zooregon.org/cards/monkey.allens.swamp.htm)

Females nurse and care for their young for two and a half months.

These primates are thought to live up to 20 years.

Studies near Mbandaka, Zaire show that A. nigroviridis is diurnal and live in groups of up to 40 or more individuals, with several adult males present. ( http://www.zooregon.org/cards/monkey.allens.swamp.htm) Although there is considerable literature concerning the social systems of many species of Old World Monkeys, little is known about the system of A. nigroviridis. It is probably the case that they employ many of the behaviors found in other cercopithecids, including facial expressions of grinning, snarling, as well as many displays of body language, including grimace, dominance and submission (Bernstein 1970). Studies in captivity of A. nigroviridis in the San Diego Zoo suggest that the species is quite social and friendly and similar to guenons (Cercopithecus) in behavior (Walker 1975).

Little is known about the overall natural history of A. nigroviridis; however, it is known that they forage on the ground and in shallow water (Walker 1975). The diet of A. nigroviridis includes fruit, leaves, and small invertebrates. http://www.zooregon.org/cards/monkey.allens.swamp.htm

Many cercopithecids, including A. nigroviridis, are hunted for their meat, and they are used in the biomedical research industry (Lawlor 1979).

Studies from the Lomako Forest in Zaire suggest that A. nigroviridis, like other Lomako Forest monkeys, is under a substantial amount of pressure from predators. These predators include the crowned hawk eagle, snakes, and pygmy chimapanzees. In response to these predators, many cercopithecids form poly-specific groups in the various forest types (McGraw 1994).