Saturday, April 26, 2014

Spotlight on Students: Primate Conservation Issues (New World Primates)

The following is two of two guest posts featuring the work of students enrolled in my Anth 102 courses.  These students are highlighting the importance of primate conservation and featuring specific primates that are currently endangered.  I hope you find these pieces informative and are inspired to make a positive change in the world that will help these and other endangered primates.


Yellow-Tailed Woolly Monkey


Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey 


By Teisha Adlish (Anth 102: 1501)
 

The Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey is one of South America’s endangered primates. The Woolly Monkey, also known as Oreonax flavicauda, has been listed as endangered since October 1979 (Glenn). The Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey is a New World monkey that lives in the trees of the Peruvian Andes Mountains, often in isolated and difficult to find areas. For this reason the monkey was thought to be extinct until a small group of them was rediscovered in 1974 (Glenn). The monkeys have thick, reddish-brown, woolly fur and a yellow scrotal or vaginal tuft of fur, which led to the name “Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey” (Yellow-tailed).  The monkeys are New World monkeys and have a prehensile tail that aids greatly in their arboreal environment. The average Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey male weighs 18.3 pounds and the average female weighs 12.5 pounds (Glenn). They are diurnal and live in groups ranging from four to thirty individuals (Yellow-tailed), usually with one male for every three or four females (Glenn). The diet of the Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey consists mainly of fruits, leaves, and buds (Glenn).  As of 1999, which was the last time the population size was estimated, there were only 250 Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkeys in existence. This number is so low for three main reasons: low birth rate within the species, “human-induced habitat loss and degradation”, and the problem of being hunted or captured (Gron).


              
The Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey has a low birth rate, which is a factor in their small and further dwindling population numbers. It is estimated that each female only bears one offspring every three years (Gron). The other two causes of the monkey’s endangered status are much more damaging to the population than a low birth rate. Human destruction of habitat affects countless species of organisms. In the case of the Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey the devastation comes from logging, deforestation, and fragmentation due to construction of roads through their existing habitat (Gron). The Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey is arboreal; any type of logging, or cutting down trees for any reason, has an impact on their habitat. When paths are cleared to create roads more trees are cut down, and more Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey habitat is lost. Since the 1970s roads have been build that dissect the habitat of the monkeys and create new boundaries, a loss of resources, more pollution, and new predators (Yellow-tailed). Land is also cleared for agriculture, raising cattle, and human habitation, which only intensifies the loss of habitat for the Yellow-tailed Wooly Monkey (Gron).

The Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey is also endangered because humans hunt them. For decades the areas where the monkeys live were practically inaccessible. Deep forests with few or no routes leading in and out kept the monkeys somewhat protected from human invaders. The more that humans encroach on monkey territory, the more the monkeys are threatened. Humans hunt them for food and also capture them to sell as pets and novelties (Gron). The Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey uses a loud call to signal to other monkeys when danger is present. This noise has the unfortunate side effect of alerting hunters to the location of the monkeys, making them an easy target (Gron).
            
The most important tool in preservation of the Yellow-tailed Woolly monkey is education. It is important to both educate the scientific community through more and better research on the Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey; and it is crucial to educate the people and groups who endanger the monkeys. By learning more about the Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey we can create more effective means of conservation. The scientific community currently lacks this knowledge due to a lack of data on the Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey. Also, by teaching hunters how to substitute the Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey with other means of subsistence and about the risks of species extinction, we can help save the species. If more information is given to those who are allowing the fragmentation of habitats, deforestation, and logging then there is a greater possibility of action being taken to prevent or change these acts and decrease their destructive effects.  
            
This species, similar to other primates that consume fruit and plants, is incredibly helpful in seed dispersal. Through consumption and elimination of seeds and parts of plants, trees, fruits, and flowers the Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkeys spread seeds and help fertilize the plant life in their area. All species are a part of the much larger web of organisms in a given environment today. From fungus to plants, insects, reptiles, mammals, and back down to decomposers and bacteria; each and every organism in an environment is dependent on another organism or needed by another organism for subsistence and survival. The loss of one species of primate may not seem overwhelmingly significant, yet the effects can be massive. All endangered species must be preserved carefully for myriad reasons, some that we cannot understand until it is too late and their effects have already been felt. For example, if a species were to no longer exist the survival of any other organism associated with the extinct species could then be in put in jeopardy.
            
The Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey is a rare primate and population sizes continue to decrease. Since human discovery and destruction of their habitats began in the 1970s, the monkeys have had dwindling hope for longevity of their species. Efforts for conservation may take place by means of restricting human intrusion into the area inhabited by these monkeys; or more importantly, efforts can be focused on education as to critical state of the Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey and why they are important to their environment. Without action against further habitat destruction and hunting of the species the Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey does not have the chance they need to survive and reproduce. All species are crucial contributors to their environment and it would be a devastation to lose the Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey forever. In order to prevent that from happening we may educate, inform, and act on this knowledge to prevent further extinction of the Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey.

Works Cited:
Glenn, C.R.. "Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey Facts."Earth's Endangered Creatures. EEC, 20 Dec. 2007. Web. 25 Mar 2014.
Gron, Kurt. "Primate Factsheets: Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey." Primate Info Network. National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 30 Sept 2010. Web. 26 Mar 2014.
Shanee, Sam, and Noga Shanee. Neotropical Primate Conservation. N.p., n. d. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
"Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey." EDGE: Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered. ZSL Living Conservation. Web. 25 Mar 2014.



 


Ka'apor Capuchin Monkey
Cebus Kaapori; The Ka’apor Capuchin Monkey
By: Shelby Pierce (Anth 102: 1002)

Many animal species today are now extinct or becoming extinct. They are rapidly decreasing in numbers. One group that is decreasing dramatically is primates. There are many reasons as to why they have been becoming extinct, whether it is by humans or the natural habitat causing their extinction. The Ka’apor capuchin monkey, in particular, is critically endangered by humans destroying their habitat. Humans are the main cause as to why these primates, along with many other animals, are becoming extinct.

Cebus Kapori, Ka’apor capuchin monkey, falls in the order primates and family cebidae.  These small monkeys were considered critically endangered since 2000. They are small and weigh between four to six pounds.  They are arboreal (tree dwelling) primates and live in groups with a several dozen others.  They are named after the Urubu-Ka’apor Indians because they are originated in the same region as them http://www.animalinfo.org/species/primate/cebukaap.htm).

Humans are the major cause as to why these small intelligent monkeys are becoming extinct.  The main reason we are pushing them to extinction is because we cause habitat loss to them.  The forests in southern Pará and Maranhão have been drastically destroyed in just the last ten years and the conditions of these forests continue to get worst.  This region where the Ka’por capuchin monkeys are located has one of the highest human populations and highest levels of deforestation. Lopes (1993) said that selective logging was particularly prejudicial to the monkeys due to loss of trees that provide the fruit that are significant to them.  Besides ruining their habitat, humans are capturing them and using them in illegal pet trade.  The main hunters of them are the Guajá Indians who also capture them and keep as pets, as well http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/40019/0).  

Unfortunately the monkeys are critically endangered, but there are ways to help protect the endangered monkeys but no real way to make sure that they do not die out.  Humans can do as much as we can for them, but sometimes it is not enough.  We can start by making sure that their protected habitat does not dwindle away anymore by selective logging since that is one of the major causes to their habitat loss.  More than half of the currently protected area lost its forests because of this selective logging.  That is a drastic amount.  The trees that were cut and lost carried fruit important to the diet of these small monkeys.  The International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN) has documented a drastic decline in numbers of at least 80% over the past three generations (http://mungaiandthegoaconstrictor.me/2013/11/18/fast-fact-attack-endangered-species-no-79-the-kaapor-capuchin-monkey/).

Primates, along with all other animals, should not be extinct due to human factors.  We should play no part in it, in my opinion.  I understand that there is such thing as natural selection, evolution, and nature laws. We should be doing our best to preserve the animals on this planet because they all play an important role. The Ka’por capuchin monkey is a very intelligent little monkey.  Besides humans and apes they are the only other recorded primate using the anvil system to crack open hard shelled nuts. They are talkative, curious, mischievous, and have various form of communication patterns (http://mungaiandthegoaconstrictor.me/2013/11/18/fast-fact-attack-endangered-species-no-79-the-kaapor-capuchin-monkey/). These monkeys along with all other monkeys are the closest living relatives to us.  Non-human primates are important to the health of their surrounding ecosystems, such as helping regulate plant life (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071026095223.htm).

The small monkeys known as Ka’apor capuchin monkeys are now critically endangered because humans have deforested their habitat and natural food source.  Along with deforestation we have hunted, sold illegally, and used them for entertainment.  In order to stop the endangerment of these monkeys and many others we need to stop deforestation and hunting for unproductive reasons. These monkeys along with other monkeys are our closest living relatives that help support their ecosystem along with our ecosystem.  We should be trying to prevent endangerment instead of push them towards it. 

Works Cited




Saturday, April 19, 2014

Spotlight on Students: Primate Conservation Issues (Old World Primates)

The following is one of two guest posts featuring the work of students enrolled in my Anth 102 courses.  These students are highlighting the importance of primate conservation and featuring specific primates that are currently endangered.  I hope you find these pieces informative and are inspired to make a positive change in the world that will help these and other endangered primates.



Golden Headed Langur

The Golden Headed Langur

By Cindy Fuentecilla (Anth 102: 1501)         


The endangered primate that I chose was the golden-headed langur (trachypithecus p. poliocephalus). According to The Cat Ba Langur Conservation Project, it is notorious for its name because of its golden hair on top of its head down to its neck. The rest of its body has dark brown/black fur with white fur around its black face. The golden-headed langur has a long tail almost the same length as its body making it an arboreal and terrestrial primate. This particular primate is only found on the island of Cat Ba, which is the northeastern region of Vietnam. The golden-headed langur is one the most endangered primates of the Asian primate species. This particular primate inhabits the humid forest and limestone hills of Cat Ba Island. They use the caves of the limestone hills for protection and for sleeping habitats. As an arboreal primate its diet consists of mainly leaves, but it also consumes shoots, flowers, bark, and fruits. According to the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), even some fruits that they consume are not consumed by humans and this is because of their sacculated (chambered) stomachs to assist in the breakdown of cellulose and large salivary glands to assist it in breaking down food. According to the website, www.primate-sg.org, as of August 2006, the population of the golden-headed langur was 53 individuals, compared to the 1960s with the population of 2,400-2,700 individuals. There has been a drastic decline in the population due to outside human threat.

Human threat factors have been the cause for endangering the golden-headed langur.  Over the history of the golden-headed langur, humans have been hunting and poaching them for trade and traditional medicine (e.g. “monkey balm” used for medicinal purposes on the skin). They were not hunted for their meat because their meat obtained a foul smell to it. Tourism also has a light threat factor for the golden-headed langur due to the disturbance among their habitat (The Cat Ba Langur Conservation Project).

According to www.primate-sg.org, the growth of this species have been critical due to the fact that majority of the golden-headed langur groups are all female based, with the exception of a few groups that include males. From this process, the golden-headed langur has a low reproductive output. Once pregnant a female golden-headed langur has a full and slow gestation period, with the outcome of one to two offspring produced a year (www.primate-sg.org). 

To prevent extinction, protection measures must be applied to the golden-headed langur. Since they have become endangered, conservation programs have been developed to restore the golden-headed langur population. In November, 2000, the Cat Ba Langur Conservation Project was founded and implemented by the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations (ZSCSP). The Conservation Project made sanctuaries on Cat Ba Island for the protection and growth for the golden-headed langur. They are heavily protected by rangers throughout the island (The Cat Ba Langur Conservation Project).

 It is important to protect this species from extinction for the purpose of biodiversity.  Considering that each species contribute to the circle of life, having a variety of species in a particular region is important to that region (biodiversity.ca.gov). If the golden-headed langurs were to become extinct, changes will occur on the island of Cat Ba, whether they are ecological or geographical changes, such as the reproduction of plant life. Considering that the golden-headed langur feed on flora and fruit, they are able to distribute the seeds among the island of at Ba, therefore assisting in the reproduction of plant life. That is why it is important to protect the golden-headed langur of Cat Ba Island.
It is important to save all primate species from extinction for the same purpose of biodiversity. Like every other living species, each one plays a key role to maintaining the functions of life and evolution. According to Time Magazine, when primates feed on flora they are spreading the seeds throughout its habitat for further growth throughout the habitat and maybe beyond (just like bees do with pollen). Primates also play a key role for their predators when they are a food supply for them. For instance, big cats of Africa depend on the meat of certain primates and this is important for the growth of their population (Time, 2007).

Conservations and awareness have played a key role in the protection of primates. Without the actions taken in the protection of the golden-headed langurs, their small population of fifty-three could have been depleted to zero in a matter of days.  



Works Cited
Dani

Daniela Schrudde, Roswitha Stenke,. http://www.primate-sg.org/storage/PDF/Golden-headed%20Langur.pdf. 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008. 27 March 2014.

http://biodiversity.ca.gov/Biodiversity/biodiv_definition.html#middle_column. 2008. 27 March 2014.
http://www.catbalangur.org/Langur.htm. 2004-2011. 27 March 2014.

http://www.waza.org/en/zoo/visit-the-zoo/primates-1254385523/monkeys-1254385523/trachypithecus-poliocephalus. n.d. 27 March 2014.

Mahr, Krista. http://content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1681018,00.html. 6 November 2007. 27 March 2014.


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Western Lowland Gorilla

Western Lowland Gorilla

By Cheyenne Armstrong (Anth 102: 1002)
  
The expansion of civilization and advancement in technology has always been seen as betterment to the populations of the world. With this advancement we are finding that many more animal habitats are being threatened and often times destroyed, leading to the decline and in most severe cases the extinction of species. Among the World Wildlife Foundation’s endangered species list there are 16 critically endangered species, three of those 16 are gorillas. I will be addressing the condition of the Mountain Gorilla, a species that was predicted to “…be extinct by the end of the twentieth century” (WWF), but through a struggle for survival and with the intervention of man is expanding in population. I will be discussing the human factors that are causing the possible extinction of this species, future preventative steps that can be taken to protect these animals, and the importance of the protection of this species, as well as the importance of the protection of all primate species.
             
With a population of only 880, more than half the populace of Mountain Gorillas live in the Virunga Mountains, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. Threats to this species caused by human actions include habitat loss, disease, and poaching. With the repercussions of the war in Rwanda and fallout of the civil war, waves of displaced people have encroached in and around the mountain areas that are home to the Gorillas. With this thrust of human populations into the Gorilla territory many retreated to higher parts of the mountains, with elevations and weather conditions that are dangerous and often deadly (WWF). Those that remain within the habitat are being forced to deal with the destruction of forest land, construction of homes and buildings, as well as “people harvest[ing] charcoal for use as a fuel source in cooking and heating” (WWF), which in turn destroys the natural habitat. Considering that Gorillas and humans share a 98% similarity in gene sequences, they can fall ill to the same sicknesses and diseases humans do. Not unlike Columbus and the Native Americans, the encroaching people subject the Gorillas to illnesses that their immune systems have never had to protect against, often resulting in death. The final major human effect on the Mountain Gorilla populations is poaching. Although, there seems to be only a small amount of Mountain Gorillas being targeted “…for bushmeat or illegal pet trade…” (WWF), there are those who kill Gorillas to take their hands or other parts as souvenirs or to be sold. There is also the added threat of Mountain Gorillas being harmed in traps that have been set up to catch other animals (WWF).
             
Although there are actions already being implemented to aid the survival of the Mountain Gorilla there is always more work that can be done.  The World Wildlife Foundation has been essential in aiding the growth of the Mountain Gorilla populations through working with the forest services to purchase and provide wood for the displaced people of the civil war, in attempt to discourage them from turning to the forest to attain lumber, working to reforest the areas that have been affected most by the surge of refugees, and working to raise awareness to “…improve the management of natural resources outside the park” (WWF). As individuals we can donate and even spread appropriate knowledge about the issue when and where we can; education is the first step in gaining attention and solving the problem.
            
 The protection of this species is important because Mountain Gorillas are an asset to the environment and ecosystem, from spreading seeds around the forest, to fertilizing the soil; Gorillas are an integral part of the local and international ecosystem. They are magnificent creatures that deserve a chance at survival, a chance that was only decreased due to human interaction and encroachment. The importance is the same in protecting any endangered species, however, since primates are so closely related to humans in studying them we can gain a better understanding about our evolutionary past.  Primates are smart creatures, with their own sense of communication, family, pride, and culture that we still have much to learn from. There are species that have not been as fortuitous when it came to their decline and without intervention many have come to be extinct; for example the dodo. The success of the world is dependent on ecological and biological variation. In saving any and all species we are expanding the variance in the world and rebuilding what has been destroyed, “Protecting mountain gorillas ensures vibrant forests and livelihoods for local people too.” (Matthew Lewis.WWF)
            
In conclusion, Mountain Gorillas are critically endangered and being threatened by habitat loss, disease, and poaching. Although civil war has caused a shift in the Gorilla community, actions such as, reforesting, education awareness, and donations are slowly helping to increase the Mountain Gorilla population. The importance of this species survival is the same as the importance of any species survival; we must strive for ecological and biological variation in order to provide a better future for the world, and through the further study of Gorillas and other primates we will be better able to understand our evolutionary past as humans.

Works Cited

World Wildlife Foundation: Mountain Gorillas. https://worldwildlife.org/species/mountain-      
gorilla. World Wildlife Fund. 2014. Web. March 22, 2014.