Southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides)

Description

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Southern muriqui fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Southern muriqui description

The muriqui, or woolly spider monkey, is the largest New World primate, and in the late 1980s was recognised as two distinct species: the southern (Brachyteles arachnoides) and northern muriqui (B. hypoxanthus) respectively ⁽⁴⁾. One of the differences between these species is the presence of a small thumb in the northern variety ⁽²⁾, which is lacking in the southern species. Muriquis have long limbs and a long prehensile tail, allowing them to be particularly agile amongst the trees ⁽⁵⁾. The thick coat is greyish-brown in colour; males may have a more yellow tinge ⁽⁶⁾ and they have particularly large testicles, which may be related to sperm competition ⁽⁵⁾.

Also known as

southern woolly spider monkey, woolly spider monkey.

French

Atèle Arachnoïde, Eroïde, Singe-araignée Laineux.

Spanish

Mono Carvoeiro, Mono Grande, Muriki.

Size

Male head-body length: 55 – 78 cm ⁽²⁾

Female head-body length: 46 – 63 cm ⁽²⁾

Male tail length: 74 – 80 cm ⁽²⁾

Female tail length: 65 – 74 cm ⁽²⁾

Male weight: 12 – 15 kg ⁽²⁾

Female weight: 9.5 – 11 kg ⁽²⁾

Southern muriqui biology

Muriquis are arboreal and active during the day ⁽⁷⁾. They live in multimale-multifemale groups that may number between 5 and 25 individuals ⁽⁵⁾. Groups are not territorial; there is little aggression between members and related males often cooperate with each other ⁽⁵⁾. There is no evidence of social grooming between group members but embracing is thought to help maintain bonds ⁽⁵⁾. Females tend to give birth to a single offspring in the dry season that runs between May and September ⁽⁷⁾. Males remain with their natal group but once they have reached adolescence at 5 – 7 years old, female offspring will disperse to join other groups ⁽⁷⁾.

Young leaves and fruits constitute a large component of the muriqui diet; individuals often feed by hanging from the branches of a tree with their prehensile tail ⁽⁵⁾. Fruits and seeds are also eaten during the more abundant rainy season ⁽⁷⁾.

Southern muriqui range

Found in south-eastern Brazil, in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo ⁽²⁾.

Southern muriqui habitat

Inhabit primary and secondary Atlantic coastal forest that comprises Brazil’s Atlantic Forest Region ⁽⁴⁾, and found at altitudes from sea level to 1,000 metres ⁽⁶⁾.

Southern muriqui status

Classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List ⁽¹⁾, and listed on Appendix I of CITES ⁽³⁾.

Southern muriqui threats

The muriqui was once widespread in the Atlantic Forest Region, but today the southern species is thought to number just under 1,000 individuals ⁽⁴⁾. This region of Brazil has been devastated by habitat destruction as it is the most populated and industrialised region of the country ⁽⁴⁾. Vast tracts of forest have been lost. In addition, these large primates were an important food source for people in the region and have been widely hunted ⁽⁴⁾.

Southern muriqui conservation

The muriqui has been a flagship species for the conservation of Brazil’s fragile Atlantic Forest Region ⁽⁸⁾. Conservation efforts are still imperative and “Programme Muriqui” will continue to undertake research on populations within the Serra dos Organos National Park; the possibility of reintroductions is being investigated and an ongoing education programme has been established ⁽⁹⁾.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Authentication

Authenticated (13/02/2006) by Matt Richardson, independent primatologist and writer.

Glossary

Arboreal

Living in trees.

Natal

Site of birth.

Prehensile

Capable of grasping.

References

1. IUCN Red List (June, 2003)
   http://www.redlist.org
2. Richardson, M. (2006) Pers. comm.
3. CITES (June, 2003)
   http://www.cites.org
4. Mittermeier, R.A., Myers, N. and Mittermeier, C. (1999) Hotspots: Earth’s biologically richest and most endangered terrestrial ecoregions. Cemex, South Africa.
5. Primate Info Net (June, 2003)
   http://www.primate.wisc.edu/pin/factsheets/brachyteles_arachnoides.html
6. Macdonald, D. (2001) The New Encyclopedia of Mammals. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
7. Animal Info (June, 2003)
   http://www.animalinfo.org/species/primate/bracarac.htm
8. Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (June, 2003)
   http://www.cbsg.org
9. Programme Muriqui (June, 2003)
   http://www.programamuriqui.org.br/index2.htm