Margarita Island capuchin: Difference between revisions
←Created page with '{{Dashboard.wikiedu.org draft template/about this sandbox}} == Article Draft == The Margarita Island Capuchin (Sapajus Apella Margaritae), also known as the tufted Margarita Island Capuchin or Mono de Margarita is a species of capuchin monkey that resides in the Caribbean Sea on Margarita Island, Venezuela. === Taxonomy === The Margarita Island Capuchin belongs to the family of Cebidae, which is part of the New World monkeys consisting of squirrel monkey...' |
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The Margarita Island Capuchin population has been decreasing over time, with the population being about 200-350 in 1994 ( Sans and Marquez,1994). This ongoing decrease in population is mostly due to habitat fragmentation, illegal trade, and hunting. Projects are underway to conserve this species. |
The Margarita Island Capuchin population has been decreasing over time, with the population being about 200-350 in 1994 ( Sans and Marquez,1994). This ongoing decrease in population is mostly due to habitat fragmentation, illegal trade, and hunting. Projects are underway to conserve this species. |
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=== Taxonomy History === |
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The Sabajus Apella Margaritae species was once named the Cebus Apella Margaritae. It wasn't until scientists had conferred that there were two distinct categories of the capuchin species, the tufted (Sabajus) and untufted (Cebus) capuchins. It was then that the Sabajus Apella Margaritae was correctly identified as resonating with the tufted capuchins. |
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=== Physical description === |
=== Physical description === |
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Revision as of 01:51, 2 March 2024
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Article Draft
The Margarita Island Capuchin (Sapajus Apella Margaritae), also known as the tufted Margarita Island Capuchin or Mono de Margarita is a species of capuchin monkey that resides in the Caribbean Sea on Margarita Island, Venezuela.
Taxonomy
The Margarita Island Capuchin belongs to the family of Cebidae, which is part of the New World monkeys consisting of squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, tamarins, and marmosets. They have been recognized as a sub-species of the tufted capuchin. The Margarita Island Capuchin has a genus of sapajus, along with other capuchin monkeys. The Margarita Island Capuchin is most closely related to the black-capped capuchin also known as the tufted capuchin (sapajus apella).
Its a fairly small species of capuchin, with beige and black features. They are mainly frugivorous, but also indulge in insects, bromeliad leaves, cactus, and some small vertebrae's. This species is the main predator on the island and does not have any predators on the island themselves. They reside in smaller groups of 2-18 individuals.
The Margarita Island Capuchin population has been decreasing over time, with the population being about 200-350 in 1994 ( Sans and Marquez,1994). This ongoing decrease in population is mostly due to habitat fragmentation, illegal trade, and hunting. Projects are underway to conserve this species.
Taxonomy History
The Sabajus Apella Margaritae species was once named the Cebus Apella Margaritae. It wasn't until scientists had conferred that there were two distinct categories of the capuchin species, the tufted (Sabajus) and untufted (Cebus) capuchins. It was then that the Sabajus Apella Margaritae was correctly identified as resonating with the tufted capuchins.
Physical description
The Margarita Island capuchin consists of a black head and neck with side burns that extend from the top of the head to their throat. They also have a black tail, hands, legs, and upper legs. The shoulder and upper arm is beige while their back is light brown with a dark stripe from their neck to their tail. They also have black hair around their ears that can form tufts. Infant and Juvenile Margarita Island Capuchins look the same as adults with lighter-colored forehead. Females have a head and trunk on average of 38 cm and a weight of 2.5 kg. Males head and trunk are about 41 cm with a weight of 3.7 kg. Both males and females have a tail length of about 40 cm.
Distribution & Habitat
The Margarita Island Capuchin has a limited distribution on the East side of Margarita Island. Margarita Island is the only location this species of monkey is found. They live in mountain forests with low altitudes, usually around 300 to 500 m above sea level but can also be found 40 to 830 m above sea. This species tends to reside in the trees 5-10 m above ground but also use the ground often. The also reside in Margarita Islands national parks- Cerro el Copey and national monument- Cerro Matasiete. The species distribution across the island may be due to the fragmented habitat they reside on.
Conservation Status
At one time the Margarita Island Capuchin was the only primate on Margarita Island in Venezuela, playing an important role in seed dispersal and being the main predator.
The Margarita Island Capuchin has been on the IUCN red List as a critically endangered species since 2015 and on the Venezuelan red list. Mainly due to habitat fragmentation, hunting, and illegal trade.