Black crested mangabey

Young Schopfmangabe

The Schopfmangabe ( Lophocebus aterrimus ) is a primate of the family Cercopithecidae ( Cercopithecidae ).

Features

Schopfmangaben are relatively slender primates with long limbs and a long tail. The coat is rough and colored black. Named giving feature is the high, erect head of hair, cheeks, they have long, curved, gray colored hair. On the shoulders they do not have extended hair in contrast to the closely related Mantelmangabe. They reach a body length 40-62 cm and a tail length of 55 to 85 centimeters. The weight is usually 6 to 8 kilograms, the males are slightly larger and heavier than females.

Distribution and habitat

Schopfmangaben occur only in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Congo River forms the northern border of its distribution area, north of it survived the Mantelmangabe. Their habitat are primarily rainforests. According to IUCN is the kind of " low risk" ( near threatened ).

Way of life

These primates are diurnal and arboreal, which rarely come to the ground. They live in small groups of about 15 animals, which are composed of one or several males, many females and the common offspring. With loud cries they make other groups on their territory carefully. They feed primarily on fruits, nuts and small animals.

System

The Schopfmangabe is classified in the genus of Schwarzmangaben ( Lophocebus ), which is related by recent findings not particularly close with the Weißlid - mangabeys ( Cercocebus ). Previously, she was often combined with the Mantelmangabe to one species.

The southwestern populations of Schopfmangabe are now considered Opdenbosch Mangabey as a separate species, but are sometimes classified only as its subspecies.