New World monkeys are primates that are native to Central and South America. There are 5 main families of New World monkeys, which include Callitrichidae, Cebidae, Aotidae, Pitheciidae, and Atelidae. New World monkeys are much more diverse than their Old World counterparts, with around 150 recognized species. In this article, we will take a look at the 5 main families of New World monkeys and some of their key characteristics.
Callitrichidae – Marmosets and Tamarins
The Callitrichidae family consists of marmosets and tamarins. There are around 40 species in this family. They are distinguished by their small size, with most species weighing less than 1 lb. Some key features of Callitrichidae monkeys include:
– Small body size, usually 5-9 inches in length
– Long, non-prehensile tails
– Clawed digits on all fingers and toes except the big toe which has a nail
– Omnivorous diet consisting of fruit, insects, tree sap, etc.
– Form monogamous pair bonds and cooperative care for infants
Some well-known members of this family include the golden lion tamarin, the cotton-top tamarin, and Goeldi’s marmoset. Here is an overview of the Callitrichidae family:
| Genus | Number of Species | Example Species |
|---|---|---|
| Callithrix | 6 | Pygmy marmoset |
| Mico | 12 | Rio Acari marmoset |
| Callibella | 1 | Roosmalens’ dwarf marmoset |
| Cebuella | 1 | Pygmy marmoset |
| Leontopithecus | 4 | Golden lion tamarin |
| Saguinus | 10 | Red-handed tamarin |
Cebidae – Capuchins, Squirrel Monkeys and Titis
The Cebidae family consists of capuchins, squirrel monkeys and titis. There are over 50 species in this diverse family. Some notable features include:
– Medium to large body size, from 1 to 6 lbs
– Long, frequently prehensile tails
– Widely varied social systems, from solitary to large multi-male/multi-female groups
– Omnivorous, very flexible diets
– Excellent manual dexterity and tool use in some species
Well-known Cebidae monkeys include the tufted capuchin, the common squirrel monkey and the black-capped squirrel monkey. Here is an overview of some Cebidae genera:
| Genus | Number of Species | Example Species |
|---|---|---|
| Saimiri | 5 | Common squirrel monkey |
| Cebus | 16 | Tufted capuchin |
| Callicebus | 26 | Masked titi |
| Aotus | 11 | Gray-handed night monkey |
Aotidae – Night or Owl Monkeys
The Aotidae family consists solely of night monkeys, also known as owl monkeys. There are 10 recognized species. As their common names suggest, these are nocturnal monkeys with large forward-facing eyes adapted for night vision. Other features include:
– Small builds, 1-2 lbs in weight
– Long tails that may be prehensile
– Monogamous pairs or small family groups
– Fruit and insect-based diets
– Slow, silent movements for moving at night
The best known night monkey is the grey-legged night monkey. Here is an overview of the Aotidae family:
| Genus | Number of Species | Example Species |
|---|---|---|
| Aotus | 11 | Grey-legged night monkey |
Pitheciidae – Sakis, Uakaris and Titis
The Pitheciidae family includes sakis, uakaris and titis. There are over 40 species in this family. Notable features include:
– Medium builds up to 10 lbs
– Long, non-prehensile tails
– Omnivorous frugivorous diets
– Small social groups of a single male with multiple females
Some well-known Pitheciidae genera include the bearded saki, the bald uakari, and the monk saki. Here is an overview of some Pitheciidae genera:
| Genus | Number of Species | Example Species |
|---|---|---|
| Chiropotes | 5 | Bearded saki |
| Cacajao | 4 | Bald uakari |
| Pithecia | 4 | Monk saki |
Atelidae – Spider, Woolly, and Howler Monkeys
The Atelidae family consists of spider, woolly, and howler monkeys. There are around 24 species. Some features include:
– Medium to very large body sizes up to 22 lbs
– Long, frequently prehensile tails
– Folivorous diets focused on leaves
– Loud vocalizations including hoots and howls
Well known Atelidae monkeys include the red-faced spider monkey, the northern muriqui, and the mantled howler. Here is an overview of some Atelidae genera:
| Genus | Number of Species | Example Species |
|---|---|---|
| Ateles | 5 | Red-faced spider monkey |
| Brachyteles | 2 | Northern muriqui |
| Alouatta | 9 | Mantled howler |
Conclusion
In summary, the 5 main families of New World monkeys are the Callitrichidae, Cebidae, Aotidae, Pitheciidae and Atelidae. Each family has its own distinct features but collectively they showcase the wide diversity of monkeys found in Central and South America. There are small monkeys like marmosets, mid-sized capuchins and squirrel monkeys, nocturnal owl monkeys, and very large howler monkeys. While closely related to their Old World counterparts, New World monkeys have evolved many unique adaptations to their forest and jungle environments. Their flexibility, intelligence and social complexity continue to fascinate primatologists and zoo-goers alike.