Chlorocebus cynosuros (Scopoli, 1786)

Russell A. Mittermeier, Anthony B. Rylands & Don E. Wilson, 2013, Cercopithecidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 3 Primates, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 550-755 : 673

53.

Malbrouck Monkey

Chlorocebus cynosuros

French: Vervet malbrouck / German: Angola-Griinmeerkatze / Spanish: Vervet occidental

Other common names: Malbrook

Taxonomy. Simia cynosuros Scopoli, 1786 ,

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lower Congo, Banana, fixed by E. Schwarz in 1928.

C. cynosuros is most often listed as a subspecies of C. aethiops , but is considered a subspecies of C. pygerythrus by J. Kingdon in 1997, and was separated as a full species by C. P. Groves in 2001. Monotypic.

Distribution. S Gabon, S Republic of the Congo, S DR Congo, Angola, Zambia (W of the Luangwa Valley), N Namibia, and N Botswana.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 34-65 cm (males) and 30-50 cm (females), tail 46— 76 cm (males) and 35-66 cm (females); weight 3.1-6.4 kg (males) and 1.5-4.9 kg (females). The Malbrouck Monkey is similar to the Vervet Monkey ( C. pygerythrus ), but it is paler olive-gray. It is the only species of Chlorocebus with a light colored face (fleshypink with dark blotches). Bare skin of palms and soles is also pale, and callosities are pink. Cheek whiskers are long and directed upward and backward. Females resemble males but are smaller. Scrotum is a rich lapis blue.

Habitat. Savanna, woodland, and forest edge. The Malbrouck Monkey is usually found in close proximity to rivers. It is a highly adaptable species and may be found in rural and urban environments, adjusting easily to human presence.

Food and Feeding. The Malbrouck Monkey feeds on fruit, seeds, flowers, gum, and bird eggs. Invertebrates and some small vertebrates (e.g. fledglings and lizards) are also included the diet, but detailed dietary data are not available.

Breeding. Breeding habits of the Malbrouck Monkey are similar to those of the Grivet Monkey ( C. aethiops ), with a single offspring born after a gestation of ¢.6 months. Neonates are dark in color.

Activity patterns. Malbrouck Monkeys are diurnal and mainly terrestrial.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Malbrouck Monkey lives in large groups of up to 50 individuals. There is usually a balanced ratio of males to females. Long considered a subspecies of the Grivet Monkey, most observations suggest very similar social organization and ranging patterns.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix II. Classified as Least Concern on The [UCN Red List. The Malbrouck Monkey is listed as Class B in the African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. It is wide-ranging and common, because much of the area where it occurs has a low human density. There are no major threats. It occurs in at least three protected areas: Luando Special Reserve in Angola, Chobe National Park in Botswana, and Etosha National Park in Namibia.

Bibliography. Butynski (2008b), Groves (2001), Kingdon (1997), Schwarz (1928).

Figures

49. Patas Monkey (Erythrocebus patas), 50. Grivet Monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops), 51. Tantalus Monkey (Chlorocebus tantalus), 52. Green Monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus), 53. Malbrouck Monkey (Chlorocebus cynosuros), 54. Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), 55. Bale Mountains Monkey (Chlorocebus djamdjamensis), 56. L’Hoest’s Monkey (Allochrocebus lhoesti), 57. Preuss’s 9 Monkey Allochrocebus (null), 58. Sun-tailed Monkey (Allochrocebus solatus)

Distribution. S Gabon, S Republic of the Congo, S DR Congo, Angola, Zambia (W of the Luangwa Valley), N Namibia, and N Botswana.