| Cercopithecine monkeys | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Primates |
| Suborder: | Haplorhini |
| Infraorder: | Simiiformes |
| Family: | Cercopithecidae |
| Subfamily: | Cercopithecinae Gray, 1821 |
| Tribes | |
| |
TheCercopithecinae are asubfamily of theOld World monkeys, which comprises roughly 71 species, including thebaboons, themacaques, and thevervet monkeys. Mostcercopithecine monkeys are limited tosub-Saharan Africa, although the macaques range from the far eastern parts ofAsia through northernAfrica, as well as onGibraltar.
The various species are adapted to the different terrains they inhabit.Arboreal species are slim, delicate, and have a long tail, whileterrestrial species are stockier and their tails can be small or completely nonexistent. All species have well-developed thumbs. Some species haveischial callosities on their rump, which can change their colour during their mating periods.
These monkeys arediurnal and live together in social groups. They live in all types of terrain and climate, from rain forests,savannah, and bald rocky areas, to cool or even snowy mountains, such as theJapanese macaque.
Most species areomnivorous, with diets ranging from fruits, leaves, seeds, buds, and mushrooms to insects, spiders, and smaller vertebrates. All species possess cheek pouches in which they can store food.[1]
Gestation lasts around six to seven months. Young are weaned after three to 12 months and are fully mature within three to five years. The life expectancy of some species can be as long as 50 years.
The Cercopithinae are often split into twotribes,Cercopithecini andPapionini, as shown in the list of genera below.
| Phylogenetic position of the Cercopithecinae.[2] |
Data related toCercopithecinae at Wikispecies
