Rio Mayo titi monkey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rio Mayo titi |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Plecturocebus
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| Species: |
oenanthe
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| Geographic range in South America | |
| Synonyms | |
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Callicebus oenanthe Thomas, 1924 |
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The Rio Mayo titi monkey (scientific name: Plecturocebus oenanthe) is a small monkey that lives only in Peru. It is a type of titi monkey, which belongs to a group called New World monkeys. These monkeys were once thought to live only in the Alto Mayo valley. However, scientists have found them living further south, near the Huayamba River and in an area called Bajo Mayo.
Sadly, the Rio Mayo titi is now listed as Critically Endangered. This means it is very close to disappearing forever. This is mainly because its home, the forest, is being destroyed. In 2012, it was even put on a list of "The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates."
When forests are cut down for farming, these monkeys lose their homes. This forces many titis to live in small areas, leading to overcrowding. The Rio Mayo titi prefers living in areas that are not too crowded. Overpopulation can harm the species. Scientists only learned a lot about these monkeys after 2003, as they were hard to find before then. To help them survive, their forest homes need protection. Many groups, like Neotropical Primate Conservation, Proyecto Mono Tocón, and Amazónicos para la Amazonia, are working to save these special monkeys.
It's hard to study Rio Mayo titis because they are shy. Scientists often listen for their unique calls to find out how many are in an area.
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Where do Rio Mayo Titis Live?
Rio Mayo titis usually live in dry forest areas. These forests have many vines and plants. You can find them in the northern part of Peru's San Martin Department. They live at heights of about 750 to 950 meters (about 2,460 to 3,116 feet) above sea level. They also live in the lower parts of the Andes mountains.
One family of Rio Mayo titis was watched by a scientist for a whole year. This family had a mother, father, two older young, and a new baby. They lived in bamboo patches and low forests. The trees in their home were about 6.8 meters (22 feet) tall. This family used only five different places to sleep during the year.
Most of their time was spent sleeping or resting. After that, they spent time traveling and then eating or looking for food. Rio Mayo titis also spend time with other monkeys of their kind. However, when their forest homes are damaged, it makes it harder for them to socialize.
What do Rio Mayo Titis Eat?
The Rio Mayo titi monkey eats mostly leaves, seeds, fruits, and insects. One study found that more than half of their diet (54%) was fruit. About 22% of their diet was insects. They eat at least 10 different kinds of insects! The rest of their food includes leaves, young plant shoots, flowers, and seeds.
Rio Mayo titis have clever ways to catch insects. They use three main hunting methods:
- They lunge and grab insects that are easy to see.
- They bite and search for insects that are hidden.
- They quietly sneak up on insects.
Lunging and grabbing is the most common way they catch insects. They are very good at it, catching insects up to 83% of the time! Being good at catching insects is very important for them, especially when other foods are hard to find.
What do Rio Mayo Titis Look Like?
The appearance of the Rio Mayo titi can be a bit different depending on where they live.
Some titis have reddish-brown fur on their backs, legs, and chest. Their outer limbs might be a lighter reddish-brown. They have a dark brown-red forehead, sideburns, and beard. Small white tufts of fur stick out from their ears. Their throat is light-colored, and their hands, tail, and nails are black. Their belly is creamy white, and they have white hairs around their nose area. Their fur is short and spiky.
Other titis might have light red fur on their forehead, sideburns, and beard. They can have a lot of fur near their ears. Their hands might be dark with white fur on them. Their belly and chest can be red, and their tail might be gray. They also have whitish hair above their nose, eyebrows, and muzzle. Their fur can look frizzy.
Diseases that Affect Rio Mayo Titis
Rio Mayo titis can get a type of tapeworm called Atriotaenia megastoma. This parasite has been found in other monkeys in Peru. These tapeworms usually need a small animal living in the soil to carry them first. Monkeys can get the parasite by accidentally eating these small animals from the soil. Scientists have found that the Rio Mayo titi can be a main host for this parasite.
In 2004, this parasite was found in the small intestines of two Rio Mayo titi monkeys. This discovery helped scientists learn more about the parasite. It also showed that this parasite could be another reason why the number of Rio Mayo titis is going down.
How are People Helping Rio Mayo Titis?
After finding out where these monkeys live, the next step is to figure out how many there are. Then, people can create special protected areas just for them. They also work to make existing protected areas bigger.
To count the monkeys, scientists use a method where they set up three points and watch the monkeys in that area. They also study the trees to see how dense they are, how tall they are, and how far apart they are. Scientists also watch for signs of human activity that might disturb the monkeys. All this information helps them understand what the Rio Mayo titis need to survive. There are also efforts to create safe pathways between different groups of monkeys, especially if their homes have been broken up by human activity.
