List of cercopithecoids
List of cercopithecoids
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List of cercopithecoids

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Dusky leaf monkeys (Trachypithecus obscurus)

Cercopithecoidea is a superfamily of primates. Members of this family are called cercopithecoids, or Old World monkeys, and include baboons, colobuses, guenons, lutungs, macaques, and other types of monkeys. Cercopithecoidea contains only a single family, Cercopithecidae, and includes nearly half of the species in the suborder Haplorhini, itself one of two suborders in the order Primates. Cercopithecoids are found in Asia and Africa, generally in forests, though some species can be found in shrublands, wetlands, and caves. They range in size from the Gabon talapoin, at 23 cm (9 in) plus a 31 cm (12 in) tail, to the Chacma baboon, at 115 cm (45 in) plus a 72 cm (28 in) tail. Cercopithecoids primarily eat leaves, fruit, and seeds. Most cercopithecoids do not have population estimates, but the ones that do range from 30 mature individuals to 100,000. Forty-eight species are categorized as endangered, and a further twenty-six species are categorized as critically endangered.

The 158 extant species of Cercopithecidae are divided into two subfamilies: Cercopithecinae, containing 78 baboon, guenon, macaque, and other monkey species divided between thirteen genera, and Colobinae, containing 80 colobus, lutung, and other monkey species divided between ten genera. Dozens of extinct prehistoric cercopithecoid species have been discovered, though due to ongoing research and discoveries the exact number and categorization is not fixed.[1]

Conventions

[edit]
IUCN Red List categories
Conservation status
 EX Extinct (0 species)
 EW Extinct in the wild (0 species)
 CR Critically endangered (26 species)
 EN Endangered (49 species)
 VU Vulnerable (39 species)
 NT Near threatened (17 species)
 LC Least concern (25 species)
Other categories
 DD Data deficient (2 species)
 NE Not evaluated (0 species)

The author citation for the species or genus is given after the scientific name; parentheses around the author citation indicate that this was not the original taxonomic placement. Conservation status codes listed follow the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the cercopithecoid's range is provided. Ranges are based on the IUCN Red List for that species unless otherwise noted. All extinct genera, species, or subspecies listed alongside extant species went extinct after 1500 CE, and are indicated by a dagger symbol "†".

Classification

[edit]

The superfamily Cercopithecoidea consists of one extant family, Cercopithecidae, which itself consists of two extant subfamilies: Cercopithecinae, containing 78 species divided into thirteen genera, and Colobinae, containing 80 species divided into ten genera.

Subfamily Cercopithecinae

Subfamily Colobinae

Cercopithecidae[2]

Cercopithecoids

[edit]

The following classification is based on the taxonomy described by the reference work Mammal Species of the World (2005), with augmentation by generally accepted proposals made since using molecular phylogenetic analysis, as supported by both the IUCN and the American Society of Mammalogists.[3]

Subfamily Cercopithecinae

[edit]
Genus Allenopithecus Lang, 1923 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Allen's swamp monkey

Brown monkey

A. nigroviridis
(Pocock, 1907)
Central Africa
Map of range
Size: 33–51 cm (13–20 in) long, plus 35–52 cm (14–20 in) tail[4]

Habitat: Forest[5]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, and small invertebrates[6]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[5]

Genus Allochrocebus Elliot, 1913 – three species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
L'Hoest's monkey

Gray monkey

A. lhoesti
P. L. Sclater, 1899
Central Africa
Map of range
Size: 31–69 cm (12–27 in) long, plus 48–10 cm (19–4 in) tail[7]

Habitat: Forest[8]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, mushrooms, and invertebrates[7]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[8]

Preuss's monkey

Gray monkey

A. preussi
Matschie, 1898

Two subspecies
  • C. p. insularis (Bioko Preuss's monkey)
  • C. p. preussi (Cameroon Preuss's monkey)
West-central Africa
Map of range
Size: 45–61 cm (18–24 in) long, plus 49–69 cm (19–27 in) tail[9]

Habitat: Forest and grassland[10]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, shoots, leaves, buds, flowers, and mushrooms[9]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[10]

Sun-tailed monkey

Gray monkey

A. solatus
M. J. S. Harrison, 1988
West-central Africa
Map of range
Size: 45–58 cm (18–23 in) long, plus 56–76 cm (22–30 in) tail[11]

Habitat: Forest[12]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and invertebrates[11]
 NT 


Unknown Unknown[12]

Genus Cercocebus Geoffroy, 1812 – seven species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Agile mangabey

Drawing of brown monkey

C. agilis
(H. Milne-Edwards, 1886)
Central Africa
Map of range
Size: 44–65 cm (17–26 in) long, plus 45–79 cm (18–31 in) tail[13]

Habitat: Forest[14]

Diet: Fruit, seeds and shoots, as well as small vertebrates[14]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[14]

Collared mangabey

Gray monkey

C. torquatus
(Kerr, 1792)
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 45–67 cm (18–26 in) long, plus 60–75 cm (24–30 in) tail[15]

Habitat: Forest[16]

Diet: Fruit and nuts, as well as stems and roots[15]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[16]

Golden-bellied mangabey

Brown monkey and baby

C. chrysogaster
Lydekker, 1900
Central Africa
Map of range
Size: 40–80 cm (16–31 in) long, plus 45–100 cm (18–39 in) tail[17]

Habitat: Forest[18]

Diet: Invertebrates, fruit, seeds, and nectar[17]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[18]

Sanje mangabey

Gray monkey

C. sanjei
Mittermeier, 1986
East-central Africa
Map of range
Size: 50–65 cm (20–26 in) long, plus 55–65 cm (22–26 in) tail[19]

Habitat: Forest[20]

Diet: Fruit, nuts, and seeds, as well as fungi, invertebrates, and plants[20]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[20]

Sooty mangabey

Gray monkey

C. atys
(Audebert, 1797)
Western Africa Size: 40–68 cm (16–27 in) long, plus 40–80 cm (16–31 in) tail[21]

Habitat: Forest and savanna[22]

Diet: Fruit and nuts, as well as swamp plants, grass, seeds, fungi, and invertebrates[21]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[22]

Tana River mangabey

Gray monkey

C. galeritus
Peters, 1879
Eastern Africa
Map of range
Size: 44–63 cm (17–25 in) long, plus 50–68 cm (20–27 in) tail[23]

Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and inland wetlands[24]

Diet: Fruit and seeds, as well as stems, leaves, insects, and fungi[23]
 CR 


100–1,000 Population declining[24]

White-naped mangabey

Brown and white monkey and baby

C. lunulatus
(Temminck, 1853)
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 52–73 cm (20–29 in) long, plus 68–74 cm (27–29 in) tail[15]

Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands[25]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, seeds, buds, and grass[26]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[25]

Genus Cercopithecus Linnaeus, 1758 – nineteen species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Blue monkey

Gray monkey

C. mitis
Wolf, 1822

Sixteen subspecies
  • C. m. albogularis (Sykes' monkey)
  • C. m. albotorquatus
  • C. m. boutourlinii (Boutourlini's blue monkey)
  • C. m. doggetti (silver monkey)
  • C. m. erythrarchus
  • C. m. heymansi (Lomami River blue monkey)
  • C. m. kandti (golden monkey)
  • C. m. kolbi
  • C. m. labiatus
  • C. m. manyaraensis
  • C. m. mitis (Pluto monkey)
  • C. m. moloneyi
  • C. m. monoides
  • C. m. opisthostictus
  • C. m. stuhlmanni (Stuhlmann's blue monkey)
  • C. m. zammaranoi
Sub-Saharan Africa
Map of range
Size: 31–70 cm (12–28 in) long, plus 55–109 cm (22–43 in) tail[27]

Habitat: Forest[28]

Diet: Fruit and leaves, as well as invertebrates[29]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[28]

Campbell's mona monkey

ray monkeys

C. campbelli
Waterhouse, 1838
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 36–55 cm (14–22 in) long, plus 49–85 cm (19–33 in) tail[30]

Habitat: Forest, savanna, and shrubland[31]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, seeds and grains, as well as birds, bird eggs, small reptiles, and insects[30]
 NT 


Unknown Population declining[31]

Crested mona monkey

Brown and white monkey

C. pogonias
Bennett, 1833

Three subspecies
  • C. p. grayi (Gray's crested mona)
  • C. p. nigripes (Black-footed crested mona)
  • C. p. pogonias (Golden-bellied crested mona)
Central Africa
Map of range
Size: 34–55 cm (13–22 in) long, plus 48–87 cm (19–34 in) tail[32]

Habitat: Forest[33]

Diet: Fruit and seeds, as well as leaves, flowers and insects[33]
 NT 


Unknown Population declining[33]

De Brazza's monkey

Gray monkey

C. neglectus
Schlegel, 1876
Central Africa
Map of range
Size: 39–60 cm (15–24 in) long, plus 47–79 cm (19–31 in) tail[34]

Habitat: Inland wetlands and forest[35]

Diet: Fruit, as well as leaves, flowers, mushrooms, beetles, termites, and worms[36]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[35]

Dent's mona monkey

Brown and white monkey

C. denti
Thomas, 1907
Central Africa
Map of range
Size: 40–70 cm (16–28 in) long, plus 70–90 cm (28–35 in) tail[37]

Habitat: Forest[38]

Diet: Fruit and arthropods, as well as flowers, caterpillars, shoots, and leaves[38]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[38]

Diana monkey

Gray monkey

C. diana
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 40–55 cm (16–22 in) long, plus 50–75 cm (20–30 in) tail[39]

Habitat: Forest[40]

Diet: Fruit, flowers, leaves, insects, and other invertebrates[39]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[40]

Greater spot-nosed monkey

Gray monkey

C. nictitans
(Linnaeus, 1766)

Five subspecies
  • C. n. insolitus
  • C. n. ludio
  • C. n. martini
  • C. n. nictitans
  • C. n. stampflii
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 40–57 cm (16–22 in) long, plus 56–100 cm (22–39 in) tail[41]

Habitat: Forest[42]

Diet: Fruits and seeds, as well as leaves and insects[43]
 NT 


Unknown Population declining[42]

Hamlyn's monkey

Gray monkey

C. hamlyni
Pocock, 1907

Two subspecies
  • C. h. hamlyni
  • C. h. kahuziensis
Central Africa
Map of range
Size: 43–63 cm (17–25 in) long, plus 49–63 cm (19–25 in) tail[44]

Habitat: Forest[45]

Diet: Shoots, leaves, plants, and herbs, as well as fruit and seeds[46]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[45]

Lesser spot-nosed monkey

Gray monkey

C. petaurista
(Schreber, 1774)

Two subspecies
  • C. p. buettikoferi
  • C. p. petaurista
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 29–53 cm (11–21 in) long, plus 57–78 cm (22–31 in) tail[47]

Habitat: Forest[48]

Diet: Fruit as well as insects[47]
 NT 


Unknown Population declining[48]

Lesula

Gray and yellow monkey

C. lomamiensis
Hart et al., 2012
Central Africa
Map of range
Size: 40–65 cm (16–26 in) long, plus 40–65 cm (16–26 in) tail[49]

Habitat: Forest[50]

Diet: Leaves, fruits and flowers[51]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[50]

Lowe's mona monkey

Gray monkey

C. lowei
Thomas, 1923
Western Africa (in green)
Map of range
Size: 36–55 cm (14–22 in) long, plus 54–85 cm (21–33 in) tail[52]

Habitat: Forest and savanna[53]

Diet: Fruit and insects[52]
 VU 


10,000 Population declining[53]

Mona monkey

Brown and white monkey

C. mona
(Schreber, 1774)
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 32–53 cm (13–21 in) long, plus 67–90 cm (26–35 in) tail[54]

Habitat: Forest[55]

Diet: Fruit, sprouts, leaves, and invertebrates[54]
 NT 


Unknown Population declining[55]

Moustached guenon

Brown monkey

C. cephus
(Linnaeus, 1758)

Three subspecies
  • C. c. cephodes
  • C. c. cephus
  • C. c. ngottoensis
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 44–60 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 66–99 cm (26–39 in) tail[56]

Habitat: Forest[57]

Diet: Fruit, as well as seeds, leaves, insects, and eggs[58]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[57]

Red-eared guenon

Gray monkey

C. erythrotis
Waterhouse, 1838

Two subspecies
  • C. e. camerunensis (Cameroon Red-eared Monkey)
  • C. e. erythrotis (Bioko Red-eared Monkey)
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 36–55 cm (14–22 in) long, plus 46–77 cm (18–30 in) tail[59]

Habitat: Forest[60]

Diet: Fruit, as well as leaves, shoots and arthropods[60]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[60]

Red-tailed monkey

Gray monkey

C. ascanius
(Audebert, 1799)

Five subspecies
  • C. a. ascanius
  • C. a. atrinasus
  • C. a. katangae
  • C. a. schmidti
  • C. a. whitesidei
Central Africa
Map of range
Size: 34–55 cm (13–22 in) long, plus 67–92 cm (26–36 in) tail[61]

Habitat: Forest[62]

Diet: Fruit, as well as leaves, insects, flowers, buds, and tree gum[63]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[62]

Roloway monkey

Gray monkey

C. roloway
(Schreber, 1774)
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 44–62 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 70–91 cm (28–36 in) tail[64]

Habitat: Forest[65]

Diet: Insects, as well as seeds, fruit, and leaves[64]
 CR 


Unknown Population declining[65]

Sclater's guenon

Gray monkey

C. sclateri
Pocock, 1904
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 32–38 cm (13–15 in) long, plus 61–85 cm (24–33 in) tail[66]

Habitat: Forest[67]

Diet: Fruit, as well as insects, flowers and leaves[68]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[67]

White-throated guenon

Gray and brown monkey

C. erythrogaster
Gray, 1866

Two subspecies
  • C. e. erythrogaster (Red-bellied guenon)
  • C. e. pococki (Nigerian white-throated guenon)
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 38–46 cm (15–18 in) long, plus 58–70 cm (23–28 in) tail[47]

Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands[69]

Diet: Fruit[69]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[69]

Wolf's mona monkey

Gray and brown monkey

C. wolfi
(Meyer, 1891)

Three subspecies
  • C. w. elegans
  • C. w. pyrogaster
  • C. w. wolfi
Central Africa Size: 44–52 cm (17–20 in) long, plus 69–83 cm (27–33 in) tail[70]

Habitat: Forest[71]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, seeds, and flowers[70]
 NT 


Unknown Population declining[71]

Genus Chlorocebus Gray, 1870 – seven species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Bale Mountains vervet

Brown monkey

C. djamdjamensis
Neumann, 1902

Two subspecies
  • C. d. djamdjamensis
  • C. d. harennaensis
Eastern Africa
Map of range
Size: 43–45 cm (17–18 in) long, plus 47–50 cm (19–20 in) tail[72]

Habitat: Forest[73]

Diet: Leaves and fruit, as well as flowers, small vertebrates, shoots, stems, and roots[74]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[73]

Dryas monkey

Drawing of gray and yellow monkey

C. dryas
(Schwarz, 1932)
Central Africa
Map of range
Size: 36–40 cm (14–16 in) long, plus 48–52 cm (19–20 in) tail[75]

Habitat: Forest[76]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, shoots, pith, seeds, insects, and mushrooms[76]
 EN 


100–250 Unknown[76]

Green monkey

Gray monkeys

C. sabaeus
(Linnaeus, 1766)
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 42–46 cm (17–18 in) long, plus 42–72 cm (17–28 in) tail[72]

Habitat: Forest and savanna[77]

Diet: Fruit and leaves[78]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[77]

Grivet

Brown monkey

C. aethiops
(Linnaeus, 1758)

Two subspecies
  • C. a. aethiops
  • C. a. matschiei
Eastern Africa
Map of range
Size: 40–60 cm (16–24 in) long, plus 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tail[79]

Habitat: Savanna and shrubland[80]

Diet: Fruit, insects, and vegetable matter, as well as small mammals and birds[79]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[80]

Malbrouck

Brown monkey

C. cynosuros
(Scopoli, 1786)
Southern Africa
Map of range
Size: 34–70 cm (13–28 in) long, plus 44–79 cm (17–31 in) tail[81]

Habitat: Forest and savanna[82]

Diet: Fruit, as well as shoots, stems, gum, and seeds[81]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[82]

Tantalus monkey

Gray monkey

C. tantalus
(Ogilby, 1841)

Three subspecies
  • C. t. budgetti
  • C. t. marrensis
  • C. t. tantalus
Equatorial Africa
Map of range
Size: 38–83 cm (15–33 in) long, plus 55–114 cm (22–45 in) tail[83]

Habitat: Forest and savanna[84]

Diet: Fruit, buds, seeds, roots, bark, and gum, as well as insects, small vertebrates and eggs[83]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[84]

Vervet monkey

Gray monkey

C. pygerythrus
F. Cuvier, 1821

Five subspecies
  • C. p. hilgerti
  • C. p. nesiotes
  • C. p. pygerythrus
  • C. p. rufoviridis
  • C. p. zavattarii
Eastern and southern Africa
Map of range
Size: 42–57 cm (17–22 in) long, plus 48–75 cm (19–30 in) tail[83]

Habitat: Savanna, shrubland, and forest[85]

Diet: Leaves, flowers, fruit, seeds, arthropods, and gum[86]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[85]

Genus Erythrocebus Trouessart, 1897 – three species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Blue Nile patas monkey

Brown and white monkey

E. poliophaeus
Reichenbach, 1862
Eastern Africa Size: 49–64 cm (19–25 in) long, plus 43–73 cm (17–29 in) tail[87]

Habitat: Forest, savanna, and shrubland[88]

Diet: Gum and arthropods, as well as flowers, fruit, seeds, leaves, stems, roots, and small vertebrates[87]
 DD 


Unknown Population declining[88]

Common patas monkey

Brown monkey

E. patas
(Schreber, 1775)

Three subspecies
  • E. p. patas
  • E. p. pyrrhonotus
  • E. p. villiersi
Equatorial Africa
Map of range
Size: 50–70 cm (20–28 in) long, plus 50–70 cm (20–28 in) tail[89]

Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland[90]

Diet: Fruit and insects, as well as leaves, roots, and bird eggs[89]
 NT 


Unknown Population declining[90]

Southern patas monkey E. baumstarki
Matschie, 1905
Eastern Africa Size: 49–64 cm (19–25 in) long, plus 43–73 cm (17–29 in) tail[87]

Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland[91]

Diet: Gum and arthropods, as well as flowers, fruit, seeds, leaves, stems, roots, and small vertebrates[87]
 CR 


100 Population declining[91]

Genus Lophocebus Palmer, 1903 – two species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Black crested mangabey

Black monkey

L. aterrimus
(Oudemans, 1890)

Two subspecies
  • L. a. aterrimus
  • L. a. opdenboschi
Central Africa
Map of range
Size: 45–65 cm (18–26 in) long, plus 80–85 cm (31–33 in) tail[92]

Habitat: Forest[93]

Diet: Fruit[92]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[93]

Grey-cheeked mangabey

Black monkey

L. albigena
(Gray, 1850)

Four subspecies
  • L. a. albigena
  • L. a. johnstoni
  • L. a. osmani
  • L. a. ugandae
Central Africa
Map of range
Size: 44–75 cm (17–30 in) long, plus 57–94 cm (22–37 in) tail[94]

Habitat: Forest[95]

Diet: Fruit and seeds[95]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[95]

Genus Macaca Lacépède, 1799 – 24 species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Toque macaque

Brown monkey

M. sinica
(Linnaeus, 1771)

Three subspecies
  • M. s. aurifrons (Pale-fronted toque macaque)
  • M. s. opisthomelas (Highland toque macaque)
  • M. s. sinica (Common toque macaque)
Sri Lanka
Map of range
Size: 36–53 cm (14–21 in) long, plus at least 36–53 cm (14–21 in) tail[96]

Habitat: Forest[97]

Diet: Fruit as well as tree flowers, buds, and leaves[98]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[97]

Arunachal macaque

Brown monkey

M. munzala
Sinha, Datta, Madhusudan, Mishra, 2005
Eastern Himalayas
Map of range
Size: 36–77 cm (14–30 in) long, plus about 9–20 cm (4–8 in) tail[96]

Habitat: Forest[99]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, grains, buds, seeds, flowers, and bark, as well as insects and small invertebrates[96]
 EN 


250 Population declining[99]

Assam macaque

Brown monkeys

M. assamensis
McClelland, 1840

Two subspecies
  • M. a. assamensis (Eastern Assamese macaque)
  • M. a. pelops (Western Assamese macaque)
Southeastern Asia
Map of range
Size: 36–77 cm (14–30 in) long, plus about 9–20 cm (4–8 in) tail[96]

Habitat: Forest[100]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, grains, buds, seeds, flowers, and bark, as well as insects and small invertebrates[96]
 NT 


Unknown Population declining[100]

Barbary macaque

Brown monkey and baby

M. sylvanus
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Northwestern Africa
Map of range
Size: 45–60 cm (18–24 in) long, plus 1–2 cm (0–1 in) tail[101]

Habitat: Forest, shrubland, grassland, rocky areas, and caves[102]

Diet: Plants, caterpillars, fruit, seeds, roots, and fungi[101]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[102]

Bonnet macaque

Brown monkey

M. radiata
(Geoffroy, 1812)

Two subspecies
  • M. r. diluta
  • M. r. radiata
Southern India
Map of range
Size: 36–77 cm (14–30 in) long, plus about 9–20 cm (4–8 in) tail[96]

Habitat: Forest, savanna, and shrubland[103]

Diet: Fruit, foliage, and insects, as well as bird eggs and lizards[104]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[103]

Booted macaque

Drawing of gray monkey

M. ochreata
(Ogilby, 1841)
Island of Sulawesi in Indonesia
Map of range
Size: 36–77 cm (14–30 in) long, plus about 1–15 cm (0–6 in) tail[96]

Habitat: Forest and savanna[105]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, grains, buds, seeds, flowers, and bark, as well as insects and small invertebrates[96]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[105]

Celebes crested macaque

Gray monkey

M. nigra
(Desmarest, 1822)
Island of Sulawesi
Map of range
Size: 44–57 cm (17–22 in) long, plus about 2 cm (1 in) tail[106]

Habitat: Forest[107]

Diet: Fruit, as well as insects, shoots, leaves, and stems[106]
 CR 


Unknown Population declining[107]

Crab-eating macaque

Brown monkey

M. fascicularis
Raffles, 1821

Ten subspecies
  • M. f. atriceps (Dark-crowned long-tailed macaque)
  • M. f. aureus (Burmese long-tailed macaque)
  • M. f. condorensis (Con Song long-tailed macaque)
  • M. f. fascicularis (Common long-tailed macaque)
  • M. f. fusca (Simeulue long-tailed macaque)
  • M. f. karimondjawae (Kemujan long-tailed macaque)
  • M. f. lasiae (Lasia long-tailed macaque)
  • M. f. philippensis (Philippine long-tailed macaque)
  • M. f. tua (Maratua long-tailed macaque)
  • M. f. umbrosus (Nicobar long-tailed macaque)
Southeastern Asia
Map of range
Size: 40–47 cm (16–19 in) long, plus 50–60 cm (20–24 in) tail

Habitat: Forest, intertidal marine, caves, inland wetlands, grassland, shrubland, and savanna[108]

Diet: Fruit, crabs, flowers, insects, leaves, fungi, grasses, and clay[109]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[108]

Formosan rock macaque

Gray monkeys

M. cyclopis
(Swinhoe, 1862)
Taiwan
Map of range
Size: 36–45 cm (14–18 in) long, plus 26–46 cm (10–18 in) tail[110]

Habitat: Forest[111]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, berries, seeds, insects, and small vertebrates, buds, and shoots[110]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[111]

Gorontalo macaque

Black-and-white drawing of monkey

M. nigrescens
(Temminck, 1849)
Island of Sulawesi
Map of range
Size: 36–77 cm (14–30 in) long, plus about 1–15 cm (0–6 in) tail[96]

Habitat: Forest[112]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, grains, buds, seeds, flowers, and bark, as well as insects and small invertebrates[96]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[112]

Heck's macaque M. hecki
(Matschie, 1901)
Island of Sulawesi
Map of range
Size: 36–77 cm (14–30 in) long, plus about 1–15 cm (0–6 in) tail[96]

Habitat: Forest and grassland[113]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, grains, buds, seeds, flowers, and bark, as well as insects and small invertebrates[96]
 VU 


100,000 Population declining[113]

Japanese macaque

Brown monkeys

M. fuscata
Blyth, 1875

Two subspecies
Japan
Map of range
Size: 36–77 cm (14–30 in) long, plus about 1–15 cm (0–6 in) tail[96]

Habitat: Forest[114]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, flowers, nectar, leaves, and fungi[115]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[114]

Lion-tailed macaque

Gray and brown monkey

M. silenus
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Southwestern India
Map of range
Size: 40–61 cm (16–24 in) long, plus 24–38 cm (9–15 in) tail[116]

Habitat: Forest[117]

Diet: Fruit, as well as leaves, stems, flowers, buds, fungi, insects, lizards, tree frogs, and small mammals[116]
 EN 


2,400–2,500 Population declining[117]

Moor macaque

Gray monkeys

M. maura
(Schinz, 1825)
Island of Sulawesi
Map of range
Size: 36–77 cm (14–30 in) long, plus about 1–15 cm (0–6 in) tail[96]

Habitat: Forest and grassland[118]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, grains, buds, seeds, flowers, and bark, as well as insects and small invertebrates[96]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[118]

Muna-Buton macaque M. brunnescens
(Matschie, 1901)
Island of Sulawesi in Indonesia
Map of range
Size: 36–77 cm (14–30 in) long, plus about 1–15 cm (0–6 in) tail[96]

Habitat: Forest[119]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, grains, buds, seeds, flowers, and bark, as well as insects and small invertebrates[96]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[119]

Northern pig-tailed macaque

Gray monkey and baby

M. leonina
(Blyth, 1863)
Southeastern Asia
Map of range
Size: 36–77 cm (14–30 in) long, plus about 9–20 cm (4–8 in) tail[96]

Habitat: Forest[120]

Diet: Leaves, seeds, stems, roots, flowers, bamboo shoots, rice, gums, insects, larvae, termite eggs and spiders[120]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[120]

Pagai Island macaque

Brown monkey

M. pagensis
(Miller, 1903)
Mentawai Islands in Indonesia
Map of range
Size: 36–77 cm (14–30 in) long, plus about 9–20 cm (4–8 in) tail[96]

Habitat: Forest[121]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, grains, buds, seeds, flowers, and bark, as well as insects and small invertebrates[96]
 CR 


2,100–3,700 Population declining[121]

Rhesus macaque

Brown monkey

M. mulatta
(Zimmermann, 1790)
Southern and southeastern Asia
Map of range
Size: 45–64 cm (18–25 in) long, plus 19–32 cm (7–13 in) tail[122]

Habitat: Forest, savanna, and shrubland[123]

Diet: Fish, crabs, shellfish, bird eggs, honeycombs, crayfish, crabs, spiders, plants, gums and pith[123]
 LC 


Unknown Unknown[123]

Siberut macaque M. siberu
Fuentes, 1995
Siberut island in Indonesia
Map of range
Size: 36–77 cm (14–30 in) long, plus about 9–20 cm (4–8 in) tail[96]

Habitat: Forest[124]

Diet: Fruit, as well as mushrooms, leaves, crabs, crayfish, pith, sap, shoots and flowers[124]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[124]

Southern pig-tailed macaque

Brown monkeys

M. nemestrina
(Linnaeus, 1766)
Southeastern Asia
Map of range
Size: 46–57 cm (18–22 in) long, plus 13–26 cm (5–10 in) tail[125]

Habitat: Forest and shrubland[126]

Diet: Fruit, insects, seeds, leaves, dirt, and fungus, as well as birds, termite eggs and larvae, and river crabs[125]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[126]

Stump-tailed macaque

Brown and red monkeys

M. arctoides
(Geoffroy, 1831)
Southeastern Asia
Map of range
Size: 48–65 cm (19–26 in) long, plus 3–7 cm (1–3 in) tail[127]

Habitat: Forest[128]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, flowers, roots, leaves, frogs, crabs, birds, and bird eggs[127]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[128]

Tibetan macaque

Brown monkey

M. thibetana
(H. Milne-Edwards, 1870)

Four subspecies
  • M. t. esau
  • M. t. guiahouensis
  • M. t. huangshanensis
  • M. t. thibetana
East China
Map of range
Size: 36–77 cm (14–30 in) long, plus about 1–15 cm (0–6 in) tail[96]

Habitat: Forest and caves[129]

Diet: Fruit, as well as flowers, berries, seeds, leaves, stems, stalks, and invertebrates[129]
 NT 


Unknown Population declining[129]

Tonkean macaque

Group of gray monkeys

M. tonkeana
(von Meyer, 1899)
Island of Sulawesi
Map of range
Size: 36–77 cm (14–30 in) long, plus about 1–15 cm (0–6 in) tail[96]

Habitat: Forest[130]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, grains, buds, seeds, flowers, and bark, as well as insects and small invertebrates[96]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[130]

White-cheeked macaque

Brown monkey

M. leucogenys
Li, Zhao, Fan, 2015
Northeastern India Size: 36–77 cm (14–30 in) long, plus about 9–20 cm (4–8 in) tail[96]

Habitat: Forest[131]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, grains, buds, seeds, flowers, and bark, as well as insects and small invertebrates[96]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[131]

Genus Mandrillus Ritgen, 1824 – two species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Drill

Gray monkey

M. leucophaeus
(F. Cuvier, 1807)

Two subspecies
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 61–77 cm (24–30 in) long, plus 5–8 cm (2–3 in) tail[132]

Habitat: Forest, savanna, and rocky areas[133]

Diet: Omnivorous, primarily fruit and seeds[133]
 EN 


4,000 Population declining[133]

Mandrill

Gray and brown monkey

M. sphinx
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 55–95 cm (22–37 in) long, plus 7–10 cm (3–4 in) tail[134]

Habitat: Forest[135]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, fungi, roots, insects, snails, worms, frogs, and lizards, as well as snakes and small vertebrates[136]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[135]

Genus Miopithecus Geoffroy, 1842 – two species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Angolan talapoin

Brown monkey

M. talapoin
(Schreber, 1774)
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 32–45 cm (13–18 in) long, plus 36–53 cm (14–21 in) tail[137]

Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands[138]

Diet: Insects, leaves, seeds, fruit, water plants, grubs, eggs, and small vertebrates[137]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[138]

Gabon talapoin

Brown monkey

M. ogouensis
Kingdon, 1997
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 23–36 cm (9–14 in) long, plus 31–45 cm (12–18 in) tail[139]

Habitat: Forest[140]

Diet: Fruit, seeds and insects[140]
 NT 


Unknown Population declining[140]

Genus Papio Erxleben, 1777 – six species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Chacma baboon

Brown monkey

P. ursinus
(Kerr, 1792)

Three subspecies
  • P. u. griseipes (Gray-footed chacma)
  • P. u. ruacana (Ruacana chacma)
  • P. u. ursinus (Cape chacma)
Southern Africa
Map of range
Size: 50–115 cm (20–45 in) long, plus 45–72 cm (18–28 in) tail[141]

Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, grassland, rocky areas, and desert[142]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, gum, insects, eggs, seeds, flowers, grass, roots, tubers, and small vertebrates[141]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[142]

Guinea baboon

Brown monkey

P. papio
(Desmarest, 1820)
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 50–115 cm (20–45 in) long, plus 45–72 cm (18–28 in) tail[143]

Habitat: Forest, savanna, grassland, and inland wetlands[144]

Diet: Roots, tubers, bulbs, corms, small vertebrates, fruit, and seeds[143]
 NT 


Unknown Population declining[144]

Hamadryas baboon

Brown and gray monkeys

P. hamadryas
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Horn of Africa and southwestern Arabian Peninsula
Map of range
Size: 61–77 cm (24–30 in) long, plus 38–61 cm (15–24 in) tail[145]

Habitat: Shrubland, grassland, and rocky areas[146]

Diet: Fruit, gum, insects, eggs, seeds, flowers, grass, rhizomes, corms, roots, tubers, and small vertebrates[145]
 LC 


Unknown Population increasing[146]

Kinda baboon

Gray monkey

P. kindae
Lönnberg, 1919
Central Africa (in green)
Map of range
Size: 55–84 cm (22–33 in) long, plus 38–66 cm (15–26 in) tail[147]

Habitat: Forest, savanna, and shrubland[148]

Diet: Omnivorous; primarily fruit[148]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[148]

Olive baboon

Brown monkey

P. anubis
(Lesson, 1827)
Equatorial Africa
Map of range
Size: 61–84 cm (24–33 in) long, plus 31–60 cm (12–24 in) tail[149]

Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland[150]

Diet: Fruit, gums, insects, eggs, seeds, flowers, grass, rhizomes, corms, roots, tubers, and small vertebrates[151]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[150]

Yellow baboon

Brown monkey

P. cynocephalus
(Linnaeus, 1766)

Two subspecies
  • P. c. cynocephalus (Common yellow baboon)
  • P. c. ibeanus (Ibean baboon)
Eastern Africa (in red)
Map of range
Size: 50–115 cm (20–45 in) long, plus 45–72 cm (18–28 in) tail[152]

Habitat: Shrubland, savanna, and forest[153]

Diet: Grass, sedges, seeds, fruit, roots, leaves, buds, bark, flowers, insects, and small vertebrates[152]
 LC 


Unknown Population steady[153]

Genus Rungwecebus Davenport, 2006 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Kipunji

Drawing of brown monkey

R. kipunji
Jones et al., 2005
Southeastern Africa
Map of range
Size: 85–90 cm (33–35 in) long, plus about 115 cm (45 in) tail[154]

Habitat: Forest[155]

Diet: Omnivorous, including bulbs, roots, shoots, seeds, and fruit[154]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[155]

Genus Theropithecus Geoffroy, 1843 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Gelada

Brown monkey

T. gelada
(Rüppell, 1835)

Two subspecies
  • T. g. gelada (Northern gelada)
  • T. g. obscurus (Eastern gelada)
Eastern Africa
Map of range
Size: 50–75 cm (20–30 in) long, plus 32–55 cm (13–22 in) tail[156]

Habitat: Grassland and rocky areas[157]

Diet: Leaves and forbs, as well as roots, corms, tubers and rhizomes[157]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[157]

Subfamily Colobinae

[edit]
Genus Colobus Illiger, 1811 – five species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Angola colobus

Gray monkey

C. angolensis
P. L. Sclater, 1860

Six subspecies
  • C. a. angolensis (Sclater's Angola colobus)
  • C. a. cordieri (Cordier's Angola colobus)
  • C. a. cottoni (Powell-Cotton's Angola colobus)
  • C. a. palliates (Tanzanian black-and-white colobus)
  • C. a. prigoginei (Prigogine's Angola colobus)
  • C. a. ruwenzorii (Ruwenzori colobus)
  • C. a. sharpei (Sharpe's Angola Colobus)
Central Africa
Map of range
Size: 49–68 cm (19–27 in) long, plus 70–83 cm (28–33 in) tail[158]

Habitat: Forest[159]

Diet: Leaves, as well as stems, bark, flowers, buds, shoots, fruits, and insects[158]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[159]

Black colobus

Black-and-white drawing of monkeys

C. satanas
Waterhouse, 1838

Two subspecies
  • C. s. anthracinus (Gabon black colobus)
  • C. s. satanas (Bioko black colobus)
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 50–70 cm (20–28 in) long, plus 62–88 cm (24–35 in) tail[160]

Habitat: Forest[161]

Diet: Nuts and seeds, as well as unripe fruit and leaves[160]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[161]

King colobus

Gray monkey

C. polykomos
(Zimmermann, 1780)
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 45–72 cm (18–28 in) long, plus 52–100 cm (20–39 in) tail[162]

Habitat: Forest and savanna[163]

Diet: Leaves, as well as fruit and flowers[162]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[163]

Mantled guereza

Gray monkey

C. guereza
Rüppell, 1835

Seven subspecies
  • C. g. caudatus (Kilimanjaro guereza)
  • C. g. dodingae (Dodinga Hills guereza)
  • C. g. guereza (Omo River guereza)
  • C. g. kikuyuensis (Eastern black-and-white colobus)
  • C. g. matschiei (Mau Forest guereza)
  • C. g. occidentalis (Western guereza)
  • C. g. percivali (Mt Uaraguess guereza)
Central Africa
Map of range
Size: 45–72 cm (18–28 in) long, plus 52–100 cm (20–39 in) tail[164]

Habitat: Forest[165]

Diet: Leaves, as well as fruit, buds, and blossoms[164]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[165]

Ursine colobus

Black-and-white monkey

C. vellerosus
(Geoffroy, 1834)
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 60–67 cm (24–26 in) long, plus 73–93 cm (29–37 in) tail[166]

Habitat: Forest[167]

Diet: Leaves and seeds, as well as fruit, insects, and clay[168]
 CR 


975 Population declining[167]

Genus Nasalis Geoffroy, 1812 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Proboscis monkey

Brown monkey

N. larvatus
Wurmb, 1787
Borneo
Map of range
Size: 61–76 cm (24–30 in) long, plus 50–75 cm (20–30 in) tail[169]

Habitat: Forest[170]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, leaves, and shoots, as well as caterpillars and larvae[171]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[170]

Genus Piliocolobus Rochebrune, 1887 – sixteen species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Bouvier's red colobus P. bouvieri
(Rochebrune, 1887)
Congo (in purple on left)
Map of range
Size: 41–70 cm (16–28 in) long, plus 42–80 cm (17–31 in) tail[172]

Habitat: Forest[173]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[172]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[173]

Foa's red colobus P. foai
(Pousargues, 1899)
Congo (in black, bottom right)
Map of range
Size: 41–70 cm (16–28 in) long, plus 42–80 cm (17–31 in) tail[172]

Habitat: Forest[174]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[172]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[174]

Lomami red colobus P. parmentieri
(Colyn, Verheyen, 1987)
Congo
Map of range
Size: 41–70 cm (16–28 in) long, plus 42–80 cm (17–31 in) tail[172]

Habitat: Forest[175]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[172]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[175]

Lang's red colobus P. langi
(J. A. Allen, 1925)
Congo
Map of range
Size: 41–70 cm (16–28 in) long, plus 42–80 cm (17–31 in) tail[172]

Habitat: Forest[176]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[172]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[176]

Miss Waldron's red colobus P. waldronae
(Hayman, 1936)
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 47–63 cm (19–25 in) long, plus 52–75 cm (20–30 in) tail[177]

Habitat: Forest[178]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, leaves, buds, and flowers[177]
 CR 


Unknown Population declining[178]

Niger Delta red colobus P. epieni
(Grubb, Powell, 1999)
Western Africa Size: 41–70 cm (16–28 in) long, plus 42–80 cm (17–31 in) tail[172]

Habitat: Forest[179]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[172]
 CR 


Unknown Population declining[179]

Oustalet's red colobus P. oustaleti
(Trouessart, 1906)
Congo (in green)
Map of range
Size: 41–70 cm (16–28 in) long, plus 42–80 cm (17–31 in) tail[172]

Habitat: Forest[180]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[172]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[180]

Pennant's colobus

Drawing of gray and brown monkey

P. pennantii
(Waterhouse, 1838)
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 53–63 cm (21–25 in) long, plus 60–70 cm (24–28 in) tail[181]

Habitat: Forest[182]

Diet: Leaves and shoots, as well as seeds and fruit[181]
 CR 


Unknown Population declining[182]

Preuss's red colobus

Brown monkey

P. preussi
(Matschie, 1900)
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 41–70 cm (16–28 in) long, plus 42–80 cm (17–31 in) tail[172]

Habitat: Forest[183]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[172]
 CR 


Unknown Population declining[183]

Semliki red colobus P. semlikiensis
(Colyn, 1991)
Congo (in dark blue on right)
Map of range
Size: 41–70 cm (16–28 in) long, plus 42–80 cm (17–31 in) tail[172]

Habitat: Forest[184]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[172]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[184]

Tana River red colobus

Brown monkey

P. rufomitratus
(Peters, 1879)
Kenya Size: 45–67 cm (18–26 in) long, plus 52–80 cm (20–31 in) tail[185]

Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and inland wetlands[186]

Diet: Leaves, fruit, and seeds, as well as flowers[185]
 CR 


Unknown Population declining[186]

Thollon's red colobus P. tholloni
(A. Milne-Edwards, 1886)
Congo (in orange)
Map of range
Size: 41–70 cm (16–28 in) long, plus 42–80 cm (17–31 in) tail[172]

Habitat: Forest[187]

Diet: Leaves, fruit, and seeds, as well as flowers[187]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[187]

Udzungwa red colobus

Gray monkey

P. gordonorum
(Matschie, 1900)
Southeastern Africa
Map of range
Size: 41–70 cm (16–28 in) long, plus 42–80 cm (17–31 in) tail[172]

Habitat: Forest[188]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[172]
 VU 


35,000 Population declining[188]

Ugandan red colobus

Brown monkey

P. tephrosceles
Elliot, 1907
Eastern Africa
Map of range
Size: 41–70 cm (16–28 in) long, plus 42–80 cm (17–31 in) tail[172]

Habitat: Forest and savanna[189]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[172]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[189]

Western red colobus

Brown monkey

P. badius
(Kerr, 1792)

Three subspecies
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 45–67 cm (18–26 in) long, plus 52–80 cm (20–31 in) tail

Habitat: Forest and savanna[190]

Diet: Leaves, seeds, unripe fruit, and shoots[191]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[190]

Zanzibar red colobus

Gray monkey

P. kirkii
(Gray, 1868)
Eastern Africa
Map of range
Size: 41–70 cm (16–28 in) long, plus 42–80 cm (17–31 in) tail[172]

Habitat: Forest and shrubland[192]

Diet: Leaves, fruit, and seeds, as well as flowers[193]
 EN 


5,900 Population declining[192]

Genus Presbytis Eschscholtz, 1821 – nineteen species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Black Sumatran langur P. sumatranus
(S. Müller, Schlegel, 1841)
Island of Sumatra in Indonesia Size: 42–61 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 50–85 cm (20–33 in) tail[194]

Habitat: Forest[195]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, seeds and flowers[195]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[195]

Black-and-white langur P. bicolor
Aimi, Bakar, 1992
Island of Sumatra Size: 42–61 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 50–85 cm (20–33 in) tail[194]

Habitat: Forest[196]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[194]
 DD 


Unknown Unknown[196]

Black-crested Sumatran langur

Gray and brown monkey

P. melalophos
(Raffles, 1821)
Island of Sumatra
Map of range
Size: 42–61 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 50–85 cm (20–33 in) tail[194]

Habitat: Forest and shrubland[197]

Diet: Fruits and leaves, as well as seeds and flowers[198]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[197]

East Sumatran banded langur P. percura
Lyon, 1908
Island of Sumatra Size: 42–61 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 50–85 cm (20–33 in) tail[194]

Habitat: Forest[199]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[194]
 CR 


Unknown Population declining[199]

Hose's langur

Drawing of gray monkey

P. hosei
(Thomas, 1889)
Borneo
Map of range
Size: 42–61 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 50–85 cm (20–33 in) tail[194]

Habitat: Forest[200]

Diet: Leaves, unripe fruits, seeds, flowers, bird eggs and nestlings[200]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[200]

Javan surili

Gray monkey

P. comata
(Desmarest, 1822)

Two subspecies
  • P. c. comata
  • P. c. fredericae
Island of Java in Indonesia
Map of range
Size: 42–61 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 50–85 cm (20–33 in) tail[194]

Habitat: Forest[201]

Diet: Leaves, as well as fruits, flowers, and seeds[201]
 VU 


5,500 Population declining[201]

Maroon leaf monkey

Brown monkey

P. rubicunda
(Müller, 1838)

Five subspecies
  • P. r. carimatae
  • P. r. chrysea
  • P. r. ignita
  • P. r. rubicunda
  • P. r. rubida
Borneo
Map of range
Size: 42–61 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 50–85 cm (20–33 in) tail[194]

Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands[202]

Diet: Leaves, seeds, and fruit, as well as flowers and pith[202]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[202]

Siberut langur

Gray monkey

P. siberu
(Chasen, Kloss, 1928)
Island of Siberut in Indonesia
Map of range
Size: 42–61 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 50–85 cm (20–33 in) tail[194]

Habitat: Forest[203]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[194]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[203]

Mentawai langur P. potenziani
(Bonaparte, 1856)
Mentawai islands in Indonesia
Map of range
Size: 42–61 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 50–85 cm (20–33 in) tail[194]

Habitat: Forest[204]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[194]
 CR 


Unknown Population declining[204]

Miller's langur

Gray monkey

P. canicrus
G. S. Miller, 1934
Eastern Borneo (in light green)
Map of range
Size: 42–61 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 50–85 cm (20–33 in) tail[194]

Habitat: Forest[205]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[194]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[205]

Mitered langur P. mitrata
Eschscholtz, 1821
Island of Sumatra Size: 42–61 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 50–85 cm (20–33 in) tail[194]

Habitat: Forest[206]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[194]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[206]

Natuna Island surili P. natunae
(Thomas, Hartert, 1894)
Island of Natuna Besar in Indonesia
Map of range
Size: 42–61 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 50–85 cm (20–33 in) tail[194]

Habitat: Forest[207]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[194]
 VU 


9,000 Population declining[207]

Raffles' banded langur

Gray monkey

P. femoralis
(Martin, 1838)
Singapore and southern Peninsular Malaysia
Map of range
Size: 42–61 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 50–85 cm (20–33 in) tail[194]

Habitat: Forest[208]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[194]
 CR 


200–250 Population declining[208]

Robinson's banded langur

Gray monkey

P. robinsoni
Thomas, 1910
Southern Malay Peninsula
Map of range
Size: 42–61 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 50–85 cm (20–33 in) tail[194]

Habitat: Forest[209]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[194]
 NT 


Unknown Population declining[209]

Sabah grizzled langur P. sabana
(Thomas, 1893)
Eastern Borneo (in dark brown)
Map of range
Size: 42–61 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 50–85 cm (20–33 in) tail[194]

Habitat: Forest[210]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[194]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[210]

Sarawak surili

Drawing of gray and brown monkeys

P. chrysomelas
(Müller, 1838)

Two subspecies
  • P. c. chrysomelas
  • P. c. cruciger
Northern Borneo
Map of range
Size: 42–61 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 50–85 cm (20–33 in) tail[194]

Habitat: Forest[211]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[194]
 CR 


Unknown Population declining[211]

Thomas's langur

Gray monkey

P. thomasi
(Collett, 1893)
Northern island of Sumatra in Indonesia
Map of range
Size: 42–62 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 50–85 cm (20–33 in) tail[212]

Habitat: Forest[213]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, and seeds, as well as flowers, bark, twigs, stalks, birds, bird eggs, algae, and insects[212]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[213]

White-fronted surili

Brown monkey

P. frontata
(Müller, 1838)
Borneo
Map of range
Size: 42–61 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 50–85 cm (20–33 in) tail[194]

Habitat: Forest[214]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[194]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[214]

White-thighed surili

Gray monkey

P. siamensis
(Müller, Schlegel, 1838)

Four subspecies
  • P. s. cana
  • P. s. paenulata
  • P. s. rhionis
  • P. s. siamensis
Southeastern Asia
Map of range
Size: 42–61 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 50–85 cm (20–33 in) tail[194]

Habitat: Forest[215]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, and leaves[194]
 NT 


Unknown Population declining[215]

Genus Procolobus Rochebrune, 1877 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Olive colobus

Black-and-white drawing of monkey

P. verus
(Van Beneden, 1838)
Western Africa
Map of range
Size: 43–50 cm (17–20 in) long, plus 57–64 cm (22–25 in) tail[216]

Habitat: Forest[217]

Diet: Leaves and flowers[218]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[217]

Genus Pygathrix Geoffroy, 1812 – three species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Black-shanked douc

Gray monkey

P. nigripes
H. Milne-Edwards, 1871
Southeastern Asia
Map of range
Size: 60–76 cm (24–30 in) long, plus 56–76 cm (22–30 in) tail[219]

Habitat: Forest[220]

Diet: Leaves, as well as seeds, fruit and flowers[220]
 CR 


Unknown Population declining[220]

Gray-shanked douc

Gray monkey

P. cinerea
(Nadler, 1997)
Southeastern Asia
Map of range
Size: About 60 cm (24 in) long, plus 59–68 cm (23–27 in) tail[219]

Habitat: Forest[221]

Diet: Leaves, as well as buds, fruit, seeds, and flowers[222]
 CR 


Unknown Population declining[221]

Red-shanked douc

Gray and brown monkey

P. nemaeus
(Linnaeus, 1771)
Southeastern Asia
Map of range
Size: 61–77 cm (24–30 in) long, plus 55–77 cm (22–30 in) tail[223]

Habitat: Forest[224]

Diet: Leaves, as well as unripe fruit, seeds, and flowers[223]
 CR 


Unknown Population declining[224]

Genus Rhinopithecus H. Milne-Edwards, 1872 – five species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Black-and-white snub-nosed monkey

Gray monkey

R. bieti
(A. Milne-Edwards, 1897)
Southern China
Map of range
Size: 74–83 cm (29–33 in) long, plus 51–72 cm (20–28 in) tail[225]

Habitat: Forest[226]

Diet: Leaves, fruit, and lichen[225]
 EN 


1,000 Population steady[226]

Golden snub-nosed monkey

Brown monkey

R. roxellana
A. Milne-Edwards, 1870

Three subspecies
  • R. r. hubeiensis (Hubei golden snub-nosed monkey)
  • R. r. qinlingensis (Qinling golden snub-nosed monkey)
  • R. r. roxellana (Moupin golden snub-nosed monkey)
Central China
Map of range
Size: 57–76 cm (22–30 in) long, plus 51–72 cm (20–28 in) tail[227]

Habitat: Forest[228]

Diet: Leaves, bark, and lichen, as well as buds and fruit seeds[227]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[228]

Gray snub-nosed monkey

Drawing of brown monkey

R. brelichi
Thomas, 1903
Central China
Map of range
Size: 64–73 cm (25–29 in) long, plus 70–97 cm (28–38 in) tail[229]

Habitat: Forest[230]

Diet: Leaves, buds, fruit, seeds and bark, as well as insect larvae[229]
 CR 


200 Population declining[230]

Myanmar snub-nosed monkey

Drawing of gray monkey

R. strykeri
Geissmann et al., 2010
Northern Myanmar
Map of range
Size: About 56 cm (22 in) long, plus 78 cm (31 in) tail[231]

Habitat: Forest[232]

Diet: Leaves, fruit, seeds, buds, flowers, twigs, and bark[233]
 CR 


350–400 Population declining[232]

Tonkin snub-nosed monkey

Gray monkeys

R. avunculus
(Dollman, 1912)
Northern Vietnam
Map of range
Size: 51–65 cm (20–26 in) long, plus 66–92 cm (26–36 in) tail[234]

Habitat: Forest[235]

Diet: Leaves, fruit, flowers, and seeds[234]
 CR 


80–100 Population declining[235]

Genus Semnopithecus Desmarest, 1822 – eight species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Black-footed gray langur

Gray monkey

S. hypoleucos
Blyth, 1841

Three subspecies
  • S. h. achates
  • S. h. hypoleucos
  • S. h. iulus
Southern India
Map of range
Size: 41–78 cm (16–31 in) long, plus 69–108 cm (27–43 in) tail[236]

Habitat: Forest and shrubland[237]

Diet: Leaves, fruit, and flowers[236]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[237]

Kashmir gray langur S. ajax
Pocock, 1928
Himalayas
Map of range
Size: 41–78 cm (16–31 in) long, plus 69–108 cm (27–43 in) tail[236]

Habitat: Forest[238]

Diet: Leaves, bark, and seeds[238]
 EN 


1,400–1,500 Population declining[238]

Nepal gray langur

Gray monkey

S. schistaceus
Hodgson, 1840
Himalayas
Map of range
Size: 41–78 cm (16–31 in) long, plus 69–108 cm (27–43 in) tail[236]

Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and rocky areas[239]

Diet: Leaves and fruit, as well as seeds, roots, flowers, bark, twigs, coniferous cones, moss, lichens, ferns, shoots, rhizomes, grass, and invertebrate animals[239]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[239]

Nilgiri langur

Gray monkey

S. johnii
(J. Fischer, 1829)
Southern India
Map of range
Size: 41–78 cm (16–31 in) long, plus 69–108 cm (27–43 in) tail[236]

Habitat: Forest[240]

Diet: Leaves, fruit, and flowers[236]
 VU 


9,500–10,000 Population steady[240]

Northern plains gray langur

Gray monkey

S. entellus
(Dufresne, 1797)
India
Map of range
Size: 41–78 cm (16–31 in) long, plus 69–108 cm (27–43 in) tail[236]

Habitat: Forest, savanna, and shrubland[241]

Diet: Leaves, fruit, and flowers, as well as insects, bark, gum, and soil[242]
 LC 


Unknown Population declining[241]

Tarai gray langur

Gray monkey

S. hector
Pocock, 1928
Himalayas
Map of range
Size: 41–78 cm (16–31 in) long, plus 69–108 cm (27–43 in) tail[236]

Habitat: Forest[243]

Diet: Leaves, fruit, and flowers[236]
 NT 


Unknown Population declining[243]

Tufted gray langur

Brown monkey

S. priam
Blyth, 1844

Three subspecies
  • S. p. anchises
  • S. p. priam
  • S. p. thersites
Southern India and Sri Lanka
Map of range
Size: 41–78 cm (16–31 in) long, plus 69–108 cm (27–43 in) tail[236]

Habitat: Forest and shrubland[244]

Diet: Leaves and fruit[244]
 NT 


Unknown Population declining[244]

Purple-faced langur

Gray monkey

S. vetulus
(Erxleben, 1777)

Four subspecies
  • T. v. monticola (Montane purple-faced langur)
  • T. v. nestor (Western purple-faced langur)
  • T. v. philbricki (Dryzone purple-faced langur)
  • T. v. vetulus (Southern lowland wetzone purple-faced langur)
Sri Lanka
Map of range
Size: 41–78 cm (16–31 in) long, plus 69–108 cm (27–43 in) tail[236]

Habitat: Forest[245]

Diet: Leaves, fruit, flowers, and seeds[245]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[245]

Genus Simias Miller, 1903 – one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Pig-tailed langur

Drawing of monkey skull

S. concolor
Miller, 1903

Three subspecies
  • S. c. concolor
  • S. c. siberu
Islands near Sumatra in Indonesia
Map of range
Size: 45–53 cm (18–21 in) long, plus 13–18 cm (5–7 in) tail[246]

Habitat: Forest[247]

Diet: Leaves, fruit, and berries[248]
 CR 


Unknown Population declining[247]

Genus Trachypithecus Reichenbach, 1862 – twenty-one species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Annamese langur

Gray monkey

T. margarita
(Elliot, 1909)
Southeastern Asia
Map of range
Size: 40–76 cm (16–30 in) long, plus 57–110 cm (22–43 in) tail[249]

Habitat: Forest[250]

Diet: Leaves, flowers, and fruit[249]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[250]

Capped langur

Gray monkey

T. pileatus
(Blyth, 1843)

Three subspecies
  • T. p. brahma
  • T. p. pileatus
  • T. p. tenebricus
Southern Asia
Map of range
Size: 40–76 cm (16–30 in) long, plus 57–110 cm (22–43 in) tail[249]

Habitat: Forest[251]

Diet: Leaves, seeds, and fruit, as well as flowers, buds, bark, and caterpillars[251]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[251]

Cat Ba langur

Gray monkey

T. poliocephalus
(Pousargues, 1898)
Cát Bà Island, Vietnam (in purple)
Map of range
Size: 40–76 cm (16–30 in) long, plus 57–110 cm (22–43 in) tail[249]

Habitat: Forests and caves[252]

Diet: Leaves, flowers, and fruit[249]
 CR 


30–35 Population increasing[252]

Delacour's langur

Gray monkey

T. delacouri
(Osgood, 1911)
Northern Vietnam
Map of range
Size: 40–76 cm (16–30 in) long, plus 57–110 cm (22–43 in) tail[249]

Habitat: Forest, rocky areas, and caves[253]

Diet: Leaves, flowers, and fruit[249]
 CR 


240–250 Population declining[253]

Dusky leaf monkey

Brown monkey

T. obscurus
(Reid, 1837)

Seven subspecies
  • T. o. carbo
  • T. o. flavicauda
  • T. o. halonifer
  • T. o. obscurus
  • T. o. sanctorum
  • T. o. seimundi
  • T. o. styx
Southeastern Asia
Map of range
Size: 42–61 cm (17–24 in) long, plus 50–85 cm (20–33 in) tail[254]

Habitat: Forest[255]

Diet: Leaves, shoots, fruit, and seedlings[254]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[255]

East Javan langur

Brown monkeys

T. auratus
Geoffroy, 1812
Java and nearby islands in Indonesia
Map of range
Size: 44–65 cm (17–26 in) long, plus 61–87 cm (24–34 in) tail[256]

Habitat: Forest[257]

Diet: Leaves and flowers, as well as fruit and insect larvae[256]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[257]

François' langur

Gray monkeys

T. francoisi
(Pousargues, 1898)
Southern Asia
Map of range
Size: 40–76 cm (16–30 in) long, plus 57–110 cm (22–43 in) tail[249]

Habitat: Forest, rocky areas, and caves[258]

Diet: Leaves, fruit, and seeds, as well as insects[259]
 EN 


2,000–2,100 Population declining[258]

Gee's golden langur

Brown monkey

T. geei
(Khajuria, 1956)
Southern Asia
Map of range
Size: 50–75 cm (20–30 in) long, plus 70–100 cm (28–39 in) tail[260]

Habitat: Forest[261]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, flowers, seeds, and twigs[260]
 EN 


6,000–6,500 Population declining[261]

Germain's langur

Gray monkey

T. germaini
(H. Milne-Edwards, 1876)
Southeastern Asia
Map of range
Size: 40–76 cm (16–30 in) long, plus 57–110 cm (22–43 in) tail[249]

Habitat: Forest and rocky areas[262]

Diet: Leaves, fruit, and flowers[262]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[262]

Hatinh langur

Black monkey

T. hatinhensis
(Dao, 1970)
Vietnam
Map of range
Size: 40–76 cm (16–30 in) long, plus 57–110 cm (22–43 in) tail[249]

Habitat: Forest, rocky areas, and caves[263]

Diet: Leaves, as well as fruit, vines, and flowers[263]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[263]

Indochinese black langur T. ebenus
Brandon-Jones, 1995
Southeastern Asia Size: 40–76 cm (16–30 in) long, plus 57–110 cm (22–43 in) tail[249]

Habitat: Forest, rocky areas, and caves[264]

Diet: Leaves, as well as fruit, vines, and flowers[264]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[264]

Indochinese grey langur

Gray monkey

T. crepuscula
(Elliot, 1909)
Southeast Asia (in red)
Map of range
Size: 40–76 cm (16–30 in) long, plus 57–110 cm (22–43 in) tail[249]

Habitat: Forest, inland wetlands, and rocky areas[265]

Diet: Leaves, flowers, and fruit[249]
 EN 


2,400–2,500 Population declining[265]

Laotian langur

Black and yellow monkey

T. laotum
(Thomas, 1911)
Laos
Map of range
Size: 40–76 cm (16–30 in) long, plus 57–110 cm (22–43 in) tail[249]

Habitat: Forest and rocky areas[266]

Diet: Leaves, flowers, and fruit[249]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[266]

Phayre's leaf monkey

Gray monkey

T. phayrei
(Blyth, 1847)

Two subspecies
  • T. p. phayrei
  • T. p. shanicus
Southeast Asia (in green)
Map of range
Size: 40–76 cm (16–30 in) long, plus 57–110 cm (22–43 in) tail[249]

Habitat: Forest[267]

Diet: Leaves, as well as bamboo shoots[268]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[267]

Popa langur T. popa
Roos et al., 2020
Myanmar
Map of range
Size: 40–76 cm (16–30 in) long, plus 57–110 cm (22–43 in) tail[249]

Habitat: Forest[269]

Diet: Leaves, flowers, and fruit[249]
 CR 


130–180 Population declining[269]

Shortridge's langur

Gray monkey

T. shortridgei
Wroughton, 1915
Southern Asia
Map of range
Size: 40–76 cm (16–30 in) long, plus 57–110 cm (22–43 in) tail[249]

Habitat: Forest[270]

Diet: Leaves, flowers, and fruit[249]
 EN 


Unknown Population declining[270]

Selangor silvered langur

Gray monkey and baby

T. selangorensis
Roos, Nadler, Walter, 2008
Peninsular Malaysia Size: 40–76 cm (16–30 in) long, plus 57–110 cm (22–43 in) tail[249]

Habitat: Forest[271]

Diet: Leaves, flowers, and fruit[249]
 NT 


Unknown Population declining[271]

Silvery lutung

Gray monkey

T. cristatus
Raffles, 1821

Two subspecies
  • T. c. cristatus
  • T. c. vigilans
Southeastern Asia
Map of range
Size: 46–56 cm (18–22 in) long, plus 63–84 cm (25–33 in) tail[272]

Habitat: Forest[273]

Diet: Leaves, as well as fruit, seeds, shoots, flowers, and buds[272]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[273]

Tenasserim lutung T. barbei
(Blyth, 1847)
Southeastern Asia
Map of range
Size: 40–76 cm (16–30 in) long, plus 57–110 cm (22–43 in) tail[249]

Habitat: Forest[274]

Diet: Leaves, flowers, and fruit[249]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[274]

West Javan langur

Gray monkeys

T. mauritius
(Griffith, 1821)
Island of Java Size: 40–76 cm (16–30 in) long, plus 57–110 cm (22–43 in) tail[249]

Habitat: Forest[275]

Diet: Leaves, flowers, and fruit[249]
 VU 


Unknown Population declining[275]

White-headed langur

Gray monkey

T. leucocephalus
Tan, 1957
Southern China Size: 40–76 cm (16–30 in) long, plus 57–110 cm (22–43 in) tail[249]

Habitat: Rocky areas[276]

Diet: Leaves, flowers, and fruit[249]
 CR 


230–250 Population declining[276]

References

[edit]

Sources

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The list of cercopithecoids comprises the extant species in the superfamily Cercopithecoidea, a group of primates that includes only the family Cercopithecidae, commonly referred to as Old World monkeys.[1] This superfamily diverged in the early Miocene, around 32 million years ago, and represents one of the most diverse radiations among anthropoid primates.[2] The family Cercopithecidae contains 160 species across 24 genera, divided into two main subfamilies: the Cercopithecinae (78 species, including omnivorous forms like macaques, baboons, and guenons with cheek pouches and simple stomachs) and the Colobinae (82 species, folivorous leaf-eaters like colobuses and langurs with complex, multi-chambered stomachs and no cheek pouches).[3][4] These monkeys exhibit striking diversity in size (from under 2 kg in the talapoin to over 30 kg in the mandrill), habitat preferences (ranging from deserts and savannas to rainforests and montane regions), and social structures (typically diurnal and living in family groups or larger multimale-multifemale bands).[5] They are characterized by catarrhine nostrils (close-set and downward-pointing), non-prehensile tails, ischial callosities for sitting, and a dental formula of 2/2, 1/1, 2/2, 3/3, with pronounced sexual dimorphism in body size and coloration in many species.[4] Geographically, cercopithecoids are native to Africa and Asia, with a few populations extending to southern Europe (such as Barbary macaques in Gibraltar) and isolated islands like Japan; their fossil record dates back to the Oligocene in Egypt, highlighting their ancient Old World origins.[4] Notable genera include Macaca (macaques, ~22 species, highly adaptable and widespread), Cercopithecus (guenons, ~25 species, diverse in African forests), Papio (baboons, 6 species, often terrestrial and savanna-dwelling), and Piliocolobus (red colobus monkeys, ~17 species, specialized folivores).[5] Many species face conservation threats from habitat loss, hunting, and human encroachment, with over 60% assessed as threatened or near-threatened on the IUCN Red List as of 2025.[6] This list organizes the species taxonomically, providing scientific names, common names, distributions, and conservation statuses to reflect their evolutionary and ecological significance.

Taxonomy and Classification

Definition and Scope

Cercopithecoids, also known as Old World monkeys, constitute the superfamily Cercopithecoidea within the primate suborder Haplorhini and infraorder Simiiformes.[4] This superfamily encompasses the single extant family Cercopithecidae, which diverged from the lineage leading to hominoids (apes and humans) approximately 30–32 million years ago.[7] As catarrhine primates, cercopithecoids are characterized by downward-facing nostrils that are closely spaced, distinguishing them from the more widely separated nostrils of platyrrhine (New World) monkeys.[4] Key anatomical features of cercopithecoids include bilophodont molars, which feature two transverse ridges (lophs) on the upper molars adapted for grinding tough plant material, and non-prehensile tails that aid in balance but lack the grasping ability seen in many New World monkeys. Many species, particularly in the subfamily Cercopithecinae, possess cheek pouches for storing food, while others in Colobinae have specialized multichambered stomachs for fermenting foliage.[4] These traits reflect their diverse ecological adaptations across African and Asian habitats, ranging from arboreal to terrestrial lifestyles.[8] The scope of this list focuses on the living genera and species of Cercopithecidae, detailed in subsequent sections on subfamilies, alongside selected extinct forms from the fossil record. It excludes non-cercopithecoid primates such as New World monkeys (superfamily Ceboidea) and apes (superfamily Hominoidea). As of 2024, cercopithecoids exhibit substantial diversity, with 24 genera and 165 species recognized, making Cercopithecidae the largest primate family.[9]

Subfamily Structure

The Cercopithecidae family is structured into two primary subfamilies, Cercopithecinae and Colobinae, differentiated primarily by adaptations in dentition, digestive systems, and habitat preferences that reflect their dietary and locomotor strategies.[10] These subfamilies represent distinct evolutionary lineages within Old World monkeys, with morphological traits such as cranial features and gastrointestinal anatomy underscoring their separation.[1] Subfamily Cercopithecinae encompasses 13 genera, comprising both ground-dwelling species, such as baboons (Papio), and arboreal forms, including macaques (Macaca) and guenons (Cercopithecus). Members of this subfamily are characterized by the presence of cheek pouches, which allow for rapid food storage and consumption during foraging, paired with omnivorous diets that include fruits, seeds, insects, and occasional vertebrate prey. Their simple, non-sacculated stomachs facilitate quick digestion suited to varied, opportunistic feeding in diverse habitats from savannas to forests.[11][4] In contrast, subfamily Colobinae includes 10 genera, dominated by arboreal, leaf-eating monkeys such as colobus (Colobus) and langurs (Semnopithecus). These primates lack cheek pouches and possess specialized, sacculated stomachs with foregut fermentation chambers that harbor symbiotic microbes to break down fibrous foliage, enabling a folivorous diet high in leaves and unripe fruits. This digestive specialization supports their predominantly arboreal lifestyles in tropical forest canopies, where they exhibit narrower muzzles and higher-cusped molars adapted for processing tough plant material.[12][13] The division into these subfamilies is phylogenetically supported by molecular analyses, including mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences, which indicate a divergence between Cercopithecinae and Colobinae approximately 20-25 million years ago during the early Miocene, coinciding with ecological shifts in African and Asian primate radiations.[14] This split reflects broader cercopithecoid diversification driven by habitat fragmentation and dietary innovations.[15]

Recent Taxonomic Updates

In the 2020s, genomic studies have prompted revisions in the classification of guenon monkeys within the tribe Cercopithecini, emphasizing distinctions based on molecular data. For instance, Allenopithecus nigroviridis, the Allen's swamp monkey, has been firmly established as a distinct genus separate from Cercopithecus, supported by analyses showing its unique phylogenetic position outside the core guenon clades due to differences in nuclear and mitochondrial markers.[16] This reclassification, building on earlier work, highlights convergent adaptations in swamp habitats rather than close relatedness to arboreal guenons.[17] New species descriptions have contributed to an expanding tally of cercopithecoid diversity, with the total number of recognized species in the family Cercopithecidae reaching 165 as of 2024.[9] Notable additions include the Popa langur (Trachypithecus popa), described in 2020 from central Myanmar, which represents a distinct colobine lineage adapted to montane forests and immediately classified as critically endangered due to habitat fragmentation. While subspecies elevations in groups like Macaca have been proposed based on phylogeographic evidence—such as genetic divergence in the sinica group across Himalayan elevations—no formal species-level changes for Macaca sinica occurred in 2023, though ongoing studies suggest potential future splits.[18] Molecular phylogenetic research has reinforced the monophyly of the subfamilies Cercopithecinae and Colobinae while refining intrafamilial tribes, as seen in updates to Perelman et al.'s 2011 framework using expanded genomic datasets. A 2020 population genomics study of Cercopithecus species confirmed deep divergences within the genus, leading to proposals for further tribal splits in Cercopithecini, such as isolating terrestrial lineages like those in the l'hoesti group.[19] These findings, echoed in 2022 colobine phylogenies, underscore reticulate evolution through introgression but maintain the core subfamily structure.[13] Such taxonomic updates have direct conservation implications, often resulting in refined IUCN Red List assessments for threatened cercopithecoids by recognizing narrower ranges or isolated populations as separate taxa. For example, the elevation of cryptic guenon lineages has increased the number of vulnerable or endangered listings, prompting targeted protections amid habitat loss, as revisions better capture extinction risks for endemics like the newly described Popa langur.[20] This has heightened focus on genomic monitoring to inform policy, with at least 20% of recent primate status changes linked to taxonomic splits.[21]

Living Cercopithecoids

Subfamily Cercopithecinae

The Subfamily Cercopithecinae comprises the cheek-pouch monkeys of the Old World, distinguished by their expandable cheek pouches for food storage and an omnivorous diet that includes fruits, seeds, insects, and small vertebrates. This subfamily includes approximately 78 species across 12 genera, primarily distributed in sub-Saharan Africa with one genus extending to Asia and North Africa; they occupy diverse habitats ranging from tropical rainforests and savannas to montane grasslands and urban edges, often exhibiting both arboreal and terrestrial behaviors. The taxa are organized into two main tribes based on phylogenetic analyses combining morphological and genetic data: the Papionini, which tend toward larger body sizes and more terrestrial lifestyles, and the Cercopithecini, generally smaller and more arboreal.[5][11][22]

Tribe Papionini

The tribe Papionini encompasses seven genera and about 44 species, many of which are adapted to open or semi-open environments and display complex social structures with multi-male, multi-female groups. Many species face threats from habitat loss and human activities.
  • Papio (6 species: hamadryas baboon, Guinea baboon, olive baboon, yellow baboon, chacma baboon, Kinda baboon): These robust, ground-dwelling monkeys inhabit savannas, woodlands, and semi-desert regions across sub-Saharan Africa, with some populations extending into the Arabian Peninsula; they are known for opportunistic foraging and hierarchical societies.[23][24]
  • Mandrillus (2 species: mandrill, drill): Large, colorful primates restricted to rainforests and adjacent habitats in west and central Africa, where they form large troops and rely on fruit and invertebrate diets.[25][26]
  • Theropithecus (1 species: gelada): Specialized grassland dwellers in the Ethiopian highlands, feeding primarily on grasses and exhibiting unique cliff-dwelling behaviors in troops of up to 600 individuals.[27]
  • Lophocebus (6 species: e.g., black crested mangabey, gray-cheeked mangabey, etc.): Forest-dwelling in central and west Africa, these arboreal monkeys prefer primary rainforests and forage in the canopy for fruits and leaves.[28]
  • Cercocebus (5 species: e.g., sooty mangabey, collared mangabey): Inhabiting lowland rainforests and mangroves in west and central Africa, they are semi-terrestrial and consume a mix of seeds, fruits, and invertebrates.[29]
  • Macaca (23 species: e.g., rhesus macaque, long-tailed macaque, Japanese macaque): The most widespread genus, occupying diverse habitats from tropical forests and mangroves to temperate mountains and human-modified landscapes across Asia, North Africa, and Gibraltar; they exhibit high adaptability and varied social systems.[30][31][32]
  • Rungwecebus (1 species: kipunji): Endemic to montane forests in Tanzania, this rare monkey lives in small groups and feeds on fruits, leaves, and bark in mid- to high-altitude woodlands.[33]

Tribe Cercopithecini

The tribe Cercopithecini includes five genera and roughly 34 species, mostly small to medium-sized, arboreal forms with colorful pelage and solitary or small-group lifestyles in forested environments. Many species are threatened by deforestation and bushmeat hunting.

Subfamily Colobinae

The Subfamily Colobinae encompasses the leaf-eating monkeys of Africa and Asia, distinguished by their folivorous diets and anatomical specializations such as multi-chambered, sacculated stomachs that facilitate microbial fermentation of fibrous vegetation. Comprising approximately 82 species across 10 genera (as of 2024), colobines are predominantly arboreal and exhibit quadrupedal locomotion adapted for navigating forest canopies, with a focus on leaves supplemented by fruits, seeds, and flowers. This subfamily contrasts with the more omnivorous Cercopithecinae through its emphasis on specialized folivory, including morphological traits like thumb reduction in certain genera to aid in leaf stripping and processing. Over 60% of colobine species are assessed as threatened or near-threatened due to habitat loss and hunting.[41][42][43][3] Colobines are organized into two main tribes: the African Colobini (3 genera, 15 species) and the Asian Presbytini (7 genera, 67 species). The African tribe features highly specialized folivores confined to sub-Saharan forests, while the Asian tribe includes both odd-nosed forms with distinctive facial features and langur-like genera distributed across Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. All colobines rely on foregut fermentation for digesting mature leaves, enabling them to exploit low-quality foliage that other primates avoid.[42]

Tribe Colobini (African colobines)

GenusNumber of SpeciesCommon NamesDietary Notes
Colobus Illiger, 18115Black-and-white colobuses (e.g., mantled colobus C. polykomos, Angola colobus C. angolensis)Primarily folivorous, consuming leaves, seeds, and unripe fruits; notable for severe thumb reduction that enhances leaf manipulation and stripping efficiency. Many species are threatened.[43]
Piliocolobus J. A. Allen, 19229Red colobuses (e.g., western red colobus P. badius, Pennant's red colobus P. pennantii)Strict folivores with occasional fruits and seeds; adapted for processing high-fiber diets through extensive foregut fermentation, often forming large social groups to defend folivorous territories. All taxa threatened.[44]
Procolobus Rochebrune, 18871Olive colobus (P. verus)Folivorous, feeding mainly on leaves and petioles in West African forests; similar digestive specializations to other colobines but with a more uniform, olive-gray pelage aiding camouflage. Endangered.[42]

Tribe Presbytini (Asian colobines)

The Asian colobines are further subdivided into odd-nosed and langurine groups, reflecting convergent adaptations to diverse habitats from mangroves to montane forests. Their diets center on foliage, with variations incorporating more fruits or lichens in specific genera. Recent taxonomic revisions have increased species counts through splits.[13]

Odd-nosed colobines (4 genera, 10 species)

GenusNumber of SpeciesCommon NamesDietary Notes
Nasalis E. Geoffroy, 18121Proboscis monkey (N. larvatus)Frugivorous-folivorous with a preference for unripe fruits, leaves, and aquatic vegetation in Bornean mangroves; unique nasal enlargement in males may relate to vocalizations during foraging. Endangered.[42]
Simias Miller, 19031Pig-tailed langur (S. concolor)Folivorous, consuming leaves and shoots on the Mentawai Islands; endangered due to habitat loss, with diet supporting small-group living. Critically endangered.[42]
Pygathrix Chasen, 19353Doucs (e.g., red-shanked douc P. nemaeus, gray-shanked douc P. cinerea)Highly folivorous, with leaves comprising over 80% of intake in Indochinese forests; colorful pelage contrasts with cryptic foraging behavior in dense vegetation. All critically endangered.[42]
Rhinopithecus Milne-Edwards, 18725Snub-nosed monkeys (e.g., golden snub-nosed R. roxellana, black snub-nosed R. bieti)Folivorous with lichen supplementation in high-altitude Chinese forests; social adaptations include multi-level societies to access patchy foliage resources. Most endangered.[45]

Langurine colobines (3 genera, 57 species)

GenusNumber of SpeciesCommon NamesDietary Notes
Presbytis Eschscholtz, 182110Surilis or banded langurs (e.g., Sumatran surili P. melalophos, Hose's langur P. hosei)Folivorous with selective feeding on young leaves and seeds in Southeast Asian rainforests; less thumb reduction than African colobines, allowing versatile hand use for foraging. Several threatened.[43]
Semnopithecus Desmarest, 18219Gray langurs (e.g., northern plains gray langur S. entellus, Nilgiri langur S. johnii)Versatile folivores incorporating grasses, fruits, and bark across Indian subcontinent habitats; tolerant social structure facilitates access to varied foliage in disturbed areas. Varies from least concern to endangered.[42]
Trachypithecus Reichenbach, 186220Leaf monkeys or lutungs (e.g., purple-faced langur T. vetulus, Phayre's leaf monkey T. phayrei)Primarily folivorous, with diets heavy in mature leaves and figs in South and Southeast Asian forests; some species show seasonal shifts to fruits, supported by efficient gut fermentation. Most threatened.[46][42]

Extinct Cercopithecoids

Fossil Record Overview

The fossil record of cercopithecoids begins in the late Oligocene of eastern Africa, with the earliest known remains dating to approximately 25 million years ago. A lower third molar of Nsungwepithecus gunnelli from the Rukwa Rift Basin in Tanzania represents a stem cercopithecoid, marking the initial divergence from hominoids during this period.[47] This discovery, alongside a contemporaneous partial mandible of an early ape, underscores an Oligocene origin for the cercopithecoid lineage in Africa, potentially linked to environmental changes such as the expansion of wooded habitats. Kamoyapithecus hamiltoni from the Eragaleit site in Kenya, dated to around 24–28 million years ago, provides additional evidence of these primitive forms with debated affinities as a potential stem catarrhine, though its exact position relative to cercopithecoids and hominoids remains uncertain.[48] During the Miocene epoch, cercopithecoids underwent significant diversification, with the appearance of the extinct family Victoriapithecidae and early members of the crown group Cercopithecidae around 22–15 million years ago. Primitive taxa such as Alophia metios from the Nakwai site in Kenya illustrate an intermediate stage in molar evolution, bridging oligopithecid-like ancestors to more derived bilophodont dentition characteristic of later cercopithecoids.[49] Key fossil sites in Kenya, including Buluk in the north and the Tugen Hills, have yielded dentognathic remains of Victoriapithecus species, dating from the early to middle Miocene and revealing adaptations for folivorous diets in forested environments.[50] The Rusinga Island area, with its Hiwegi Formation deposits, contributes further context through associated early Miocene faunas, highlighting a radiation tied to ecological shifts toward more closed-canopy woodlands. In the Pliocene and Pleistocene, cercopithecoids radiated into the modern subfamilies Cercopithecinae and Colobinae, with extensive speciation driven by habitat fragmentation and climatic fluctuations in Africa. This period saw the establishment of diverse ecological niches, from arboreal to terrestrial forms, culminating in the contemporary global distribution. Evidence of migration to Asia dates to around 15 million years ago, likely via dispersals across the Arabian Peninsula or Tethys region, as inferred from early colobine-like fossils in Eurasian deposits. Overall, the fossil record encompasses dozens of extinct genera, many exhibiting trends toward larger body sizes in lineages such as the robust papionins, adaptations possibly linked to competitive pressures in open savanna environments.[51]

Key Extinct Genera and Species

Among the earliest known forms potentially bridging primitive catarrhines to true cercopithecoids is Kamoyapithecus hamiltoni, from the late Oligocene deposits of Eragaleit in northern Kenya, dated to approximately 24–28 million years ago. This species is represented by fragmentary dentognathic remains, including teeth and jaw fragments, exhibiting primitive features such as low-crowned molars without the bilophodonty characteristic of later cercopithecoids.[48] Its discovery highlights early catarrhine diversification in East Africa, providing insights into the biogeographic origins of Old World monkeys amid Oligocene climate shifts toward aridity, though its precise affinities are debated. The transition to definitive cercopithecoids is exemplified by Victoriapithecus antiquus from the early to middle Miocene of Kenya, around 15–18 million years ago, with key fossils from sites like Maboko Island and the Tugen Hills. This species possessed bilophodont molars, a defining cercopithecoid trait, along with a relatively small brain and arboreal adaptations, marking it as the earliest undisputed Old World monkey.[52][53] Its morphology suggests an African origin for the superfamily, with traits linking it to both cercopithecine and colobine lineages, and its extinction may reflect habitat changes during Miocene cooling.[54] In the Miocene, African genera like Prohylobates represent primitive colobine-like forms, known from early Miocene sites in Egypt (Gebel Zelten) and Kenya (Buluk), dated to about 18–20 million years ago. Fossils include mandibular fragments with molars showing early bilophodonty but retaining primitive simplicity, indicating a basal position in colobine evolution.[55][54] Eurasian Mesopithecus, particularly M. pentelicus, from late Miocene localities like Pikermi in Greece (around 8–6 million years ago) and extending to China, was a small-bodied colobine with folivorous dentition and possible macaque affinities, evidenced by its postcranial adaptations for terrestrial quadrupedalism.[56][57] These genera illustrate early cercopithecoid dispersal out of Africa and adaptation to diverse woodland environments, with extinctions tied to late Miocene faunal turnovers.[58] During the Pliocene and Pleistocene, larger forms emerged, such as Dinopithecus ingens from South African sites like Swartkrans and Sterkfontein, spanning 3–1 million years ago. This giant baboon-like primate reached body masses up to 90 kg, with robust crania, saber-like canines, and terrestrial adaptations, suggesting a predatory or scavenging niche in open habitats.[59][60] Parapapio, an early relative of modern Papio baboons, is known from South African Pliocene localities like Makapansgat (around 3–2.5 million years ago), with species such as P. broomi and P. jonesi displaying intermediate dental and cranial features between earlier cercopithecoids and extant forms.[61][62] Finally, Theropithecus oswaldi, an extinct gelada variant, ranged widely across Africa (and sporadically in Europe and India) from the Pliocene to middle Pleistocene (about 2.5–0.6 million years ago), characterized by high-crowned, grinding molars for a grassy diet and increasing body size over time.[63][64] These later taxa underscore cercopithecoid radiation into savannas, with many extinctions linked to Pleistocene climate fluctuations and competition with hominins.[65]

References

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