Muriqui

genus of mammals

The muriquis, or woolly spider monkeys, are the genus Brachyteles.[1] There are two species, the southern (B. arachnoides) and northern muriqui (B. hypoxanthus) muriquis. The name "muriqui" comes from a native Tupi word meaning 'largest monkey'.

Muriquis[1]
Northern muriqui, Brachyteles hypoxanthus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Haplorhini
Infraorder: Simiiformes
Family: Atelidae
Subfamily: Atelinae
Genus: Brachyteles
Spix, 1823
Type species
Brachyteles arachnoides
Species

Brachyteles arachnoides
Brachyteles hypoxanthus

They are the two largest New World monkeys. The northern muriqui is one of the most endangered monkeys in the world.[2] They are seen only in some forests in Brazil.

The adult muriqui is 15-23 inches (38–58 cm) long and weighs from 10-20 pounds (4.5-9 kilos) They are colored from brown to black and the bottom of their tails have no fur near the end.

Muriquis live in groups from four to 43. They do not fight about their territory. They mostly eat leaves. They sometimes eat fruit and flowers in the rainy season, as well as bark, bamboo, ferns, nectar, pollen, and seeds.

References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 Groves C.P. 2005.
  2. Chaves, Paulo B.; et al. (2011). "Genetic diversity and population history of a critically endangered primate, the northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus)". PLOS ONE. 6 (6): e20722. Bibcode:2011PLoSO...620722C. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0020722. PMC 3108597. PMID 21694757.

Further reading

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Other websites

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