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Eleven species
- The genus comprises eleven species which are found across Panama and much of South America in primary and secondary forests, tropical rainforests and cloud forests up to 2,400 metres (7,900 ft).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_monkey
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According to the IUCN (the International Union for Conservation of Nature), the Peruvian night monkey is classified an Endangered species, four species are Vulnerable, four are Least-concern species, and two are data deficient.
There are eight species of night monkeys, also commonly called douroucoulis or owl monkeys, found from Panama to Peru, Bolivia, and northeastern Argentina. Douroucoulis are the only nocturnal monkeys in the New World. They are small monkeys found exclusively in forests.
The night monkey genus, Aotus, includes at least twelve species and three subspecies. ANDEAN NIGHT MONKEY. Aotus miconax. CONSERVATION STATUS: ENDANGERED. Andean night monkeys, also known as Peruvian night monkeys, are endemic to the South American country of Peru, in the Andes Mountains.
- Evolution and Systematics
- Physical Characteristics
- Distribution
- Habitat
- Behavior
- Feeding Ecology and Diet
- Reproductive Biology
- Conservation Status
- Significance to Humans
- Species Accounts
Traditionally, only a single night monkey species (Aotus trivirgatus) was recognized, but chromosomal evidence revealed considerable diversity. This is hardly surprising, given the extensive geographical range covered by Aotus. It is now widely accepted that there are between five and nine night monkey species, and eight species can be recognized a...
The body is slender and covered with dense fine hair, varying in color from gray to brown dorsally and from yellow to orange ventrally. Conspicuous white or pale gray patches surround the eyes and the mouth, and the white areas above the eyes are emphasized to varying extents by three spurs of dark fur in the midline and on either side of the crown...
Widely distributed in Central and South America, from the foothills of the Andes eastward. Occurs in Panama, Nicaragua, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela, and Paraguay.
Wide distribution throughout evergreen tropical rainforests and certain dry forest areas, between sea leveland 10,700 ft (3,200 m).
Uniquely among higher primates, night monkeys are typically nocturnal, although cathemeral activity (mixed day and night activity) has been reported for some populations. Several lines of evidence indicate that they have become secondarily adapted for nocturnal life, following divergence from a diurnal ancestor. During the daytime, they typically s...
Primarily consume fruits, with a supplement of arthropods (mainly insects) and perhaps small vertebrates and eggs.
Field studies have consistently indicated that night monkeys are monogamous, living in pairs along with any immature offspring. The testes are relatively small and spermatogenesis seems to take place with a remarkably low turnover. For Aotus lemurinus griseimembra, the ovarian cycle is 15–16 days long and the gestation period was found to be 133 da...
Two species are listed as Vulnerable (Aotus lemurinus, A. miconax); one species is Data Deficient (A. hershkovitzi).
Because of their nocturnal habits, night monkeys are relatively protected from human interference, but they may occasionally be hunted for food. Several night monkey species have been used in medical research, notably because they can be infected with human malaria.
Gray-bellied night monkey
Aotus lemurinus
Nancy Ma's night monkey
Aotus nancymaae
Three-striped night monkey
Aotus trivirgatus
Night monkeys (Aotus), also known as owl monkeys, are New World primates found across Central and South America, ranging from Panama to northern Argentina. Belonging to the family Aotidae, they are characterized by their nocturnal lifestyle and distinctive owl-like appearance.
Some of the most well-known species include: The Peruvian night monkey (Aotus miconax), often found in the Andean forests. The three-striped night monkey (Aotus trivirgatus), recognizable by its distinctive facial markings.
Night monkeys, so named because they are the world's only nocturnal (active at night) monkeys, are medium-sized animals weighing about 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms). They measure about 13.5 inches (34 centimeters), with a tail length of about 14.6 inches (37 centimeters).
