| Black colobus[1] | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Black colobus (Colobus satanas) (right) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Primates |
| Suborder: | Haplorhini |
| Infraorder: | Simiiformes |
| Family: | Cercopithecidae |
| Genus: | Colobus |
| Species: | C. satanas |
| Binomial name | |
| Colobus satanas Waterhouse, 1838 | |
| Subspecies | |
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| Black colobus range | |
Theblack colobus (Colobus satanas), orsatanic black colobus, is a species ofOld World monkey belonging to the genusColobus. The species is found in a small area of western centralAfrica. Black colobuses are large, completely covered with black fur, and like all other Colobus monkeys, do not have a thumb.[3] The species has faced large declines in population due tohabitat destruction and hunting by humans, and was consequently listed asVulnerable on theIUCN Red List in 1994.[2]
The black colobus monkey is one of five recognised species in the genusColobus. The black colobus is the oldest species in thisgenera and is thought to havediverged 3-4 million years ago.
There are twosubspecies of black colobus monkey:
The word 'Colobus' comes from the Greek word for 'mutilated', as all Colobus monkeys only have a short stump where the thumb would be. The word 'satanas' means 'the accuser' or 'the devil' in Greek.[5]
The black colobus monkey is a large species with a head-body length of 50–70 cm and a long tail of around 80 cm. As in allColobus species, the black colobus has a slender build andischial callosities - tough pads of skin on the rump. There is littlesexual dimorphism between the two sexes - adult males can weigh between 10–15 kg, whilst females weigh between 10–11 kg.[3][6] The black colobus is covered in black fur apart from the ears and face, and has longer hairs on its cheeks and forehead. Unlike other species of colobus monkey, black colobuses have no white markings.[3] The two subspecies of black colobus look very similar, although the fur ofColobus s. satanas is slightly longer and fluffier. There is currently not enough data to estimate the life expectancy of the species.[7]
The black colobus monkey is found inEquatorial Guinea, south westCameroon and central and north-westernGabon. Small populations may also occur in the north of theRepublic of the Congo. The subspeciesC.s.satanas is only found onBioko Island, off the coast of Cameroon.[8] The distribution of the black colobus has decreased dramatically - the species is now rare or absent in some areas of its range due to itshabitat being destroyed forlogging. Black colobuses are known to live at low densities, but there is currently no total population estimate for the species. One of the largest remaining populations of the species, consisting of 50,000-55,900 individuals, is found in Lope Reserve, Gabon. Other remaining large populations are found in the Foret des Abeilles in central Gabon andDouala-Edea Reserve in Cameroon.[2]
The black colobus is anarboreal species that lives high in thecanopy of denserainforest and occasionally coastal sand dune or wooded meadows.[3] Black colobuses are unable to survive insecondary forest that has regrown after a major disturbance such as logging and therefore tend to avoid areas populated by humans.[9] The black colobus cannot be bred incaptivity due to the food and habitat it requires.[10]
Black colobus monkeys areherbivores and feed predominantly onseeds.[11] Their robust, flat teeth allow them to chew tough seeds easily. This diet means that the species plays an important role asseed dispersers in theecosystem. Black colobuses also eat large amounts ofleaves, in particularlianas, as well as flowers, buds and unripe fruits.[3] Unlike most primates, Colobus monkeys have multi-chamberedruminant stomachs which allow them to easily digest these leaves. Younger leaves and seeds are preferred, as these are rich in nutrients and contain lower amounts of digestion-inhibiting compounds such astannin.[11] However, the black colobus monkey can withstand high levels of these poisonous compounds and can therefore eat food that is undigestable to other colobus monkeys. This means they can live in areas unoccupied by other species.[3] Black colobus monkeys have also been observed eating soil, which may be to ensure that they have enoughminerals such assodium in their diet.[12]
Black colobus monkeys live inmulti-male groups of 10-20 individuals. The species isterritorial and will make loud calls to warn other groups away from the area in which they are feeding.[6] The black colobus call is distinctive from other primate species and sounds like a loud 'sneeze' followed by a roaring noise.[3] Black colobus groups are sometimes joined by single malecrested mona monkeys (Cercopithecus pogonias). These individuals take part in black colobus grooming and socialising and are thought integrate themselves into black colobus groups for protection. Colobus monkeys have been known to respond to crested mona monkey alarm calls.[13]
Black colobus monkeys arediurnal and spend around 60% of their time resting. The remaining part of their day is spent feeding, socialising and moving. Black colobuses have largehome ranges and will move up to 850 metres each day in search of food.[3]
Black colobus monkeys do not have a specific breeding season, but most mating occurs during rainy times of the year. Males reachsexual maturity at age 6, in females this occurs at age 4. Females do not have a sexual swelling as seen in other primate species and give birth to a single baby after agestation period of around 195 days. Females have a baby every 20 months on average.[5] Black colobus babies are born with brown fur and become black, unlike all otherColobus species, which are born with white fur.[3]Allomothering, when other members of the group help mothers to care for their babies, is relatively rare in the black colobus monkey.[14] Black colobus babies are carried around by the mother and spend time playing with other members of the group as they grow in order to learn and socialise.[5]
The black colobus monkey is one of the most threatened primate species in Africa and is currently listed asVulnerable on theIUCN Red List.[15] This is because the species' population has declined by over 30% in the past 30 years. The subspeciesC.s.satanas is classified asEndangered as its population has declined by over 60% in the last 30 years.[2] The black colobus monkey is now only found in areas which cannot be easily accessed by humans.[3]
The species has faced population declines due to logging and illegal hunting for the fur trade which began in the 19th century.[6][15] Due to improved roads and increased wealth in the area, commercial hunting for the species has become more profitable.[10] Today, black colobus monkeys are mainly traded for their meat and account for 20% of thebushmeat sold inMalabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea.[16] One adult black colobus carcass is sold for around US$20.42.[17]
The black colobus monkey is listed under Appendix II ofCITES, which restricts international trade of the species.[18] The species is also listed under Class B of theAfrican Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.[2] Further information and data is needed to in order to help conserve the species. Conservation programs such as the Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program aim to work with local people to learn more about the black colobus monkey and protect it from extinction.[19]
