Pictures: Bushy-Bearded Titi Monkey Discovered

New Monkey on Shaky Ground

Photograph courtesy of Javier Garcia, Conservation International

The newfound Caquetá titi monkey is being forced to travel on the ground more often as Amazon rain forest habitat becomes more and more fragmented by expanding Colombian cattle country, Defler said. (See pictures of rain forest destruction.)

Increased ground travel may make the species more vulnerable to predators, such as margay cats and birds of prey, he said. (Related: "Jungle Cat Mimics Monkey to Lure Prey—A First.")

It's estimated that fewer than 250 Caquetá titi monkeys survive—which means the International Union for Conservation of Nature will likely classify the primate as critically endangered, he said.

Fortunately, Defler added, the monkey seems to tolerate living in secondary forests—areas that have regrown after being cut down for agriculture or development.

Published August 12, 2010

Bright Eyed and Bushy Bearded

Photograph courtesy of Javier Garcia, Conservation International

The Caquetá titi monkey lives in groups of about four along rivers in Caquetá Province.

Like other fruit-eaters, the monkey has a crucial role in spreading plant seeds throughout the rain forest, Defler noted. (See pictures of other rain forest animals.)

Published August 12, 2010

Titi Monkey Relatives

Illustration courtesy Stephen Nash, Conservation International

The Caquetá titi monkey (illustrated at top right) has different colorings and markings from related species (top left and bottom), including a gray-stippled tail and no white bar on the new species' forehead.

Such variations probably help monkeys discern their kin, Defler noted—as well as helping humans discover new species.

During their 2008 expedition, Defler and his team also relied on monkey calls to track the new species—titi monkeys have one of the most complex territorial calls in the animal kingdom, he said. (See "Monkeys Use 'Sentences,' Study Suggests.")

Published August 12, 2010