Sooty mangabey

Rußmangabe, Cercocebus atys lunulatus

The Rußmangabe ( Cercocebus atys ) is a primate of the family Cercopithecidae ( Cercopithecidae ).

Features

The fur of the Rußmangaben is gray or gray-brown on the top, the underside is lighter. The hairless face is colored pink or gray, the muzzle is black. There are bright back hair on the cheeks. The subspecies C. a lunulatus has a white-colored belly and a white spot at the back of the head. With around 10 kg males are nearly twice as heavy as females that reach around 5.5 kilograms.

Distribution and habitat

Rußmangaben are widespread in western Africa, the distribution area extends from Senegal to Ghana. The river Sassandra separates the west of it living nominate from the east of it occurring subspecies C. lunulatus a.. Habitat of these animals are forests, often near the river.

Way of life

These animals are diurnal and stay mainly at the bottom. In the trees they are looking primarily in the lower layers of food. They move it away with a four-footed gait. They live in multi- male groups, which occasionally may also include up to 100 animals from 20 to 50, but often split into smaller subgroups.

They are omnivorous, but mainly take fruits, seeds and other plant parts to himself. Insects and other small animals to supplement the diet.

After a 170 - day gestation, the female gives birth to usually a single young is born.

Threat

Main threats to Rußmangabe make the loss of habitat and hunting Specify the type is "endangered" by the IUCN ( vulnerable ) listed. The subspecies C. a lunulatus applies IUCN as " critically endangered " ( endangered ).

System

The Rußmangabe is one of six types, in which the kind of the Weißlid - mangabeys ( Cercocebus ) is divided today. Earlier it was considered as a subspecies of Halsbandmangabe. The subspecies C. a lunulatus that quite clearly differs from the nominate form, is according to some researchers own kind dar.