The White-fronted Capuchin (Cebus albifrons)

Oct 12, 2014 Features / Columnists, Interesting Creatures in Guyana

The white-fronted capuchin, Cebus albifrons, is a species of capuchin monkey, a type of New World primate,

White-fronted Capuchin

found in seven different countries in South America: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago. The species is divided into several different subspecies, though the specific divisions are uncertain and controversial.
This primate is a medium-sized monkey with a light brown back and a creamy white underside. Like other capuchin monkeys, it is omnivorous, feeding primarily on fruits, invertebrates, other plant parts and sometimes small vertebrates. It is predated upon primarily by raptors and probably small cats, especially the Margay, though snakes have been known to attack the species.
It is a polygamous animal and lives on fairly large groups of 15 to 35 individuals, reproductive females give birth to a single young at biennial intervals. The species maintains a home range of 1.2 to 1.5 km2 (0.46 to 0.58 sq mi) and has a complex vocal repertoire. It is one of the few primates to have been observed crafting and utilising tools in the wild.
White-fronted capuchin populations are however declining. The decline is believed to be caused by human-induced habitat loss and degradation, and hunting.
In 2008, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified the Ecuadorian white-fronted capuchin (ssp. aequatorialis) and the Trinidad white-fronted capuchin (ssp. trinitatis) as Critically Endangered, and the Varied white-fronted capuchin (ssp. versicolor) in Colombia is classified as Endangered. The total population of the Trinidad subspecies was 61 at the last census.
Male white-fronted capuchins usually weigh an average of 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) and the females an average of 2.9 kg (6.4 lb), although a male on Mirití-Paraná in Colombia weighed 5.5 kg (12 lb). Like other capuchin species its premolars are large, and it has square-shaped molar with a thick enamel to help with cracking nuts.
The white-fronted capuchin is found in a variety of forest types. They can survive well in flooded forests and in forests growing over white sand and in forests of “high caatinga” growing in the rocks and gravel at the foot of mesas.
All species of capuchin tend to have a rather similar diet in broad terms; they are omnivores, eating fruits and small invertebrates, small vertebrates and birds’ eggs, which they forage at all levels of the forest, frequently descending to the forest floor.
In northern Colombia during the dry season when there are few fruits to be found, the white-fronted capuchin spends more than half its time on the ground, searching for and capturing small prey. It is extremely good at manipulating objects, and spends a great deal of time examining dry leaves from which it collects invertebrates (for example small beetles and ants’ eggs) from rolled up leaves. It hunts frogs and drinks the water which accumulates in the spaces between the bracteoles of the common plant Phenakospermum guianense, where the frogs hide.
Hunting amphibians seems to be a cultural phenomenon which the members of each group learn. P. guianense is commonly present in large, dense stands in some types of forest.
This species of capuchin is polygamous. The male mounts the female, holding her legs with his hind feet, and copulates with her for a few minutes. Although the time of gestation is unknown, it is probably around 160 days like the tufted capuchin. Usually one infant is born.
Adult males are notably tolerant of each other in the group, they are very aggressive towards males of other groups. Alpha males seem to exercise a “control position” at the center of the group, since all members are extremely conscious and alert to his location, and they all observe his reactions. If the alpha reacts with intense fear or panic, or if he pays close attention to something, all members of the troop react similarly. The presence of adult males seems to lend psychological support to the smaller adult females.
Vocalizations are variable, and some are listed as follows: (1) ua – a soft bark given repeatedly and used by all members of the group when danger is perceived; (2) ya – excited animals around the alpha, towards alpha and towards perceived danger; (3) eh-eh – threat towards potential danger, but especially adult females; accompanied with open mouth showing teeth (OMT); (4) squeaky hinge – threat given especially by young animals; (5) squeal – conflict within the group during a fight; (6) whistle – conflict in the group of a young animal; (7) ahr – a lost animal; others answer this call, apparently to direct it back to the group; (8) uh!uh!uh! – a common vocalization during feeding which may allow contact to be maintained and show general contment; (9) uch!uch! – an animal trying to keep up with the group; (10) warble – young animals establishing contact or coming close to an adult; (11) purr – close and pacific contact; (12) chirriar – pacific interaction of young ones during play.
Perhaps the most important display is the behaviour of breaking branches, which all members of the group carry out. Even infants break small branches (or twigs), letting them fall to the soil, but the most spectacular is the alpha male who chooses large, dry branches which he hits with his hands and feet in spectacular jumps, so that they fall. Usually such branches make a tremendous sound as they fall through the other branches, and the members of the group become very excited and chatter loudly. This behaviour is quite commonly discharged towards an observer when the animals have lost their fear.
(Source: Wikipedia – The Free Online Encylopedia)