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Cercocebus torquatus
red-capped mangabey


By Khoa Huu Nguyen

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Family: Cercopithecidae
Genus: Cercocebus
Species: Cercocebus torquatus

Geographic Range

Species of collared mangabey are found in West Africa and distributed from Guinea to Gabon.

(Wilson, 1993)

Biogeographic Regions
ethiopian (Native )

Habitat

Collared mangabeys are arboreal as well as terrestrial, but they mainly inhabit lower levels of the forests, especially in swamp forests. Their flexibility on the ground and among the trees allows them to have a rather broad range of habitat, including swamp and agricultural areas. Collared mangabeys typically use the trees to obtain foods and as a haven for hiding and sleeping, but they usually escape enemies and predators (leopards and eagles) terrestrially (on the ground).

(Parker, 1990 and Hill, 1974)

Physical Description

Average mass
9492.5 g
(334.54 oz)
[External Source: AnAge]

Reproduction

Breeding season
Collared mangabeys lack a well-defined breeding season.

Average number of offspring
1

Average number of offspring
1
[External Source: AnAge]

Average gestation period
170 days

Average gestation period
167 days
[External Source: AnAge]

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
5 to 7 years

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
5 to 7 years

Most collared mangabey reach sexual maturity at age 5-7 years. The gestation period lasts for about 170 days, and a female gives birth to only a single young each time. The average weight of each young is unknown. It seems that collared mangabeys lack a well-defined breeding period; however, most of our information derives from species living in captivity and little is known about their reproduction in the wild.

(Parker, 1990 and Hill, 1974)

Key Reproductive Features
iteroparous ; year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); viviparous

Parental Investment
pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); extended period of juvenile learning

Lifespan/Longevity

Average lifespan
Sex: female
Status: captivity

14.7 years
[External Source: Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research]

Average lifespan
Status: wild

30.0 years
[External Source: Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research]

Average lifespan
Status: captivity

27.0 years
[External Source: Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research]

Average lifespan
Status: wild

20.5 years
[External Source: Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research]

Behavior

Collared mangabeys are found in social groups containing 10-35 individuals. These groups contain several males, and most of them coexist peacefully and rarely display any type of dominance behavior. Each member within a group exhibits very expressive behavior. It walks with its tail arched over its back, with the white tip held just above its head. The tail movement and the tapping of its head may provide social cues or serve as a form of communication with other members of the group. In addition, many collared mangabeys display by continuously lifting and lowering their conspicuous white eyelids.

(Parker, 1990 and Hill, 1974)

Key Behaviors
social

Food Habits

Similar to other species of Cercocebus, collared mangabeys feed on fruits, nuts, seeds, young leaves, grass, mushrooms, and invertebrates.

(Parker, 1990)

Primary Diet
omnivore

Animal Foods
insects

Plant Foods
leaves; seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit

Other Foods
fungus

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

Many natives allege the collar mangabeys raid plantations, causing severe damage to crops.

(Parker, 1990 and Hill, 1974)

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species [Link]
Vulnerable
More Information

Other Comments

Cerocebus is Greek for "tail monkey." (Hill, 1974)

For More Information

Find Cercocebus torquatus information at

Contributors

Khoa Huu Nguyen (author), University of Michigan.

References

Grzimek, Bernhard. 1972. Animal Life Encyclopedia. Vol 10. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York.

Hill, W.C. Osman. 1974. Primates. Vol VII. Halsted Press, New York.

Inskipp, Tim, and J. Barzdo. 1987. World Checklist of Threatened Mammals. Published by the Nature Conservancy Council.

Nowak, Ronald. 1991. Wlaker's Mammals of the World. 5th Edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore and London.

Parker, Sybil. 1990. Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Mammals. Vol 2. McGraw-Hill Publishing Co., New York.

Wilson, D.E. and D. M. Reader. 1993. Mammal Species of the World. 2nd Edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washingtion and London.

To cite this page: Nguyen, K. 1999. "Cercocebus torquatus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed May 16, 2012 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Cercocebus_torquatus.html

Disclaimer: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students. ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While ADW staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.

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