Collared mangabey  (Cercocebus torquatus)

The large slate-grey collared mangabey is named for the white collar that surrounds a prominent chestnut-red cap (2). Large blackish ears protrude through the white collar, and the fur on the underside of the slender body is also white (2). Striking white eyelids are conspicuous against the collared mangabey's black face (2), and are the reason why some refer to it as the ‘four-eyed monkey' (4). Like all mangabeys, the dark grey tail is longer than the body (5), and is frequently held with the white tip hovering over the head (2).

Occurs along the Atlantic forest coastal area of west and central Africa (6).

The collared mangabey is generally found inhabiting swamp or valley forest, but may be forced to range further from these preferred habitats in the dry season when the fruits they feed on become scarcer (2).

Collared mangabeys live in large groups of 12 to 23 individuals, with several adult males within each group (2). Loud cackles and alarm barks echo across the forest as the mangabeys keep in contact with the members of their group and signal their position to neighbouring groups. Often these dramatic calls are accompanied by much branch-shaking and grimacing by the adult males (2).

Within each group a dominance hierarchy exists, but unlike many primate species, the dominance rank an individual attains is not related to its mother's rank, except in the first few years of life. Instead, young collared mangabeys rise to their own place in the dominance hierarchy by using a range of behaviours, most commonly by directly challenging a high-ranking monkey (7). Holding a high position within the dominance rank has benefits; generally, high-ranking males have more offspring than lower-ranking males (8).

The collared mangabey feeds primarily on fruits and nuts growing in its lush forest habitat, but supplements its diet with the stems and roots of plants in the undergrowth (2). These primates possess strong incisor teeth which enable them to also eat hard seeds, which the guenon monkeys, with which they share their habitat, can not (5).

As with many African primates, habitat loss, habitat degradation and hunting threatens the collared mangabey (1). It was once widespread, but this primate is now disappearing from areas where agriculture has expanded into its habitat (2), and in areas of hunting pressure (6). This species is subject to intensive hunting, particularly in Cameroon and Nigeria (2), with its noisy, far-reaching calls making it an easy target to locate (6). It may also be caught in wire snares that are set around to villages to trap small ground-dwelling mammals (6).

Within its large distribution the collared mangabey occurs within only a few protected areas, such as Loanga and Mayumba National Parks in Gabon and Conkouati-Douli National Park in Congo; but many lack the effective anti-poaching measures that would ensure this species protection (6).

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