Callicebus oenanthe

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	PRIMATES	PITHECIIDAE

Scientific Name:

Callicebus oenanthe

Species Authority:

Thomas, 1924

Common Name/s:

English	–	Andean Titi Monkey, Rio Mayo Titi, Rio Mayo Titi Monkey
Spanish	–	Mono Tocón, Tocón Colorado

Taxonomic Notes:

Recognized as a valid species by Hershkovitz (1990). Kobayashi and Langguth (1999) and van Roosmalen et al. (2002) recognize five species groups – cupreus, donacophilus, moloch, personatus and torquatus. van Roosmalen et al. (2002) place it in the donacophilus group, along with: Callicebus donacophilus, Callicebus pallescens, Callicebus modestus and Callicebus olallae.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered A2cd ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

Veiga, L.M., DeLuycker, A.M., Bóveda-Penalba, A.J., Vermeer, J. & Cornejo, F.

Evaluator/s:

Mittermeier, R.A. & Rylands, A.B. (Primate Red List Authority)

Justification:
Listed as Endangered as the species is believed to have undergone a decline exceeding 50% over the past 25 years, mainly due to the rapid and continued loss and fragmentation of this preferred habitat, caused by intense colonization and subsequent intensification of agricultural activities over the past 20-30 years.

History:

2003	–	Vulnerable (IUCN 2003)
2000	–	Vulnerable
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable (IUCN)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Until 2007, this species was thought to occur only in the upper Rio Mayo valley or Alto Mayo (Hershkovitz 1990). However, a recent study by Bóveda-Penalba, Vermeer, Rodrigo and Guerra-Vásquez (in prep.) has revealed that the distribution extends much further to the south of the Department of San Martin, almost reaching the Rio Huallabamba (or rio Huayabamba). Mark (2003) and DeLuycker (2006) suggested that the species’ altitudinal range may be restricted to below 1,000 m. This is confirmed in the study undertaken by Bóveda-Penalba et al. (in prep.), in which the species was only found above a thousand metres (at 1,050 m) in an area where all the lower forest had been cut. Boveda-Penalba et al. (in prep.) estimate the species’ total range to be approximately 9,000 km², at least 60% of which appears to have been deforested. There is an urgent need for additional surveys of all potential habitats in San Martin, and larger tracts of forest. Mark (2003) notes that subpopulations near the banks of the Rio Mayo differ in colour from those in the Aguaruna territory in the north-east. DeLuycker (2006) reported a marked difference in pelage colour between a group she studied in a fragment near Moyobamba and those photographed by Noel Rowe. During surveys, attention should be given to the distributions of the different colour morphs (Mark 2003). Bóveda-Penalba et al. (in prep.) detected little difference in colour. Animals in the southern part of San Martin were found to be somewhat greyer than animals near Moyobamba. However, the authors claim that the colour of these animals varies depending on the light conditions. Some darker animals appeared much lighter when their bodies were turned in a different direction, making it difficult to determine differences in colour between populations. The same was true for the quantity of white hair on the face.
Countries:	Native: Peru
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	A few short surveys have been undertaken (Rowe and Martinez 2003; Mark 2003; DeLuycker 2006) and interviews conducted with communities of Aguaruna Amerindians to confirm the presence or absence of the species in different parts of its range. In 2007, the French conservation foundation - Le Conservatoire pour la Protection des Primates - started a long-term study on the distribution and conservation of Callicebus oenanthe. Some preliminary results are due to be published shortly (Bóveda-Penalba et al. in prep.). Aldrich (2006) undertook a song-based survey of a population at Tarangue - a 74 ha private reserve near Moyobamba - and estimated a population density of 1.4 individuals per ha. Group sizes were unusually large for titis, with 20% of groups containing six to eight individuals. Rowe and Martinez (2003) carried out a four-day survey, and although they did not observe the species in the wild, they heard several groups of titi monkeys (presumed to be C. oenanthe) vocalizing in a forest remnant at 925 m. They photographed a family being sold at a local market that had been captured near Rioja. Mark (2003) carried out surveys at five sites and observed monkeys in fragments as small as 2 ha (804 m asl).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

A few short surveys have been undertaken (Rowe and Martinez 2003; Mark 2003; DeLuycker 2006) and interviews conducted with communities of Aguaruna Amerindians to confirm the presence or absence of the species in different parts of its range. In 2007, the French conservation foundation - Le Conservatoire pour la Protection des Primates - started a long-term study on the distribution and conservation of Callicebus oenanthe. Some preliminary results are due to be published shortly (Bóveda-Penalba et al. in prep.). Aldrich (2006) undertook a song-based survey of a population at Tarangue - a 74 ha private reserve near Moyobamba - and estimated a population density of 1.4 individuals per ha. Group sizes were unusually large for titis, with 20% of groups containing six to eight individuals. Rowe and Martinez (2003) carried out a four-day survey, and although they did not observe the species in the wild, they heard several groups of titi monkeys (presumed to be C. oenanthe) vocalizing in a forest remnant at 925 m. They photographed a family being sold at a local market that had been captured near Rioja. Mark (2003) carried out surveys at five sites and observed monkeys in fragments as small as 2 ha (804 m asl).

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species occurs in mid-altitude tropical forest (750 to 950 m asl), in both terra firme and seasonally flooded forests. It is known to occur in low secondary forests and remnant forest and has been seen in bamboo stands, viney thickets, fruit crops and palm-dominated semi-flooded forests (“aguajales” and “renacales”) (DeLuycker 2006, 2007). Mark (2003) noted that occurrence records (both sightings and calls) were frequently located near rivers and streams (distance of <20 m) or in flooded or seasonally flooded habitats, and suggested that this may indicate a preference for gallery forest or swamp areas (Mark 2003). However, Bóveda-Penalba et al. (in prep.), also found the species in forests located far away from rivers. These titis appear to be able to survive (at least in the short term in the absence of hunting) in forest fragments and relatively large groups have been registered in fragments of <20 ha, some located very close to human habitations such as Moyobamba city (Mark 2003). Callicebus oenanthe occurs in the same region as another threatened primate, Oreonax flavicauda. The former occupies the valleys to the south-east of the distribution of O. flavicauda and there no known area of sympatry. Oreonax flavicauda is only present above 1,500 m (A. DeLuycker and J. Vermeer pers. comm.) in the mountains bordering the range of C. oenanthe; the same is probably true for Aotus miconax (J. Vermeer pers. comm.). Titi monkeys are known to be monogamous and live in small family groups. In the first long-term study of C. oenanthe (undertaken in an isolated fragment), a group of five monkeys (an adult male and female and their three offspring) used an area of 2.5 ha (DeLuycker 2007). This group’s diet consisted mainly of insects (45%) and fruits (39%), although young seeds, flowers and non-reproductive plant parts such as leaves, shoots and tendrils and new meristem were also eaten (DeLuycker 2007). Liana species were particularly important in the diet, as were fruits from stem-parasitic plants from the mistletoe family, and the group spent a considerable amount of time foraging for insects (DeLuycker 2006). In contrast with titi monkeys at other sites, the group used only three sleeping sites during the entire study. They shared the fragment with saddleback tamarins [Saguinus fuscicollis leucogenys] (DeLuycker 2006).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

This species occurs in mid-altitude tropical forest (750 to 950 m asl), in both terra firme and seasonally flooded forests. It is known to occur in low secondary forests and remnant forest and has been seen in bamboo stands, viney thickets, fruit crops and palm-dominated semi-flooded forests (“aguajales” and “renacales”) (DeLuycker 2006, 2007). Mark (2003) noted that occurrence records (both sightings and calls) were frequently located near rivers and streams (distance of <20 m) or in flooded or seasonally flooded habitats, and suggested that this may indicate a preference for gallery forest or swamp areas (Mark 2003). However, Bóveda-Penalba et al. (in prep.), also found the species in forests located far away from rivers. These titis appear to be able to survive (at least in the short term in the absence of hunting) in forest fragments and relatively large groups have been registered in fragments of <20 ha, some located very close to human habitations such as Moyobamba city (Mark 2003).

Callicebus oenanthe occurs in the same region as another threatened primate, Oreonax flavicauda. The former occupies the valleys to the south-east of the distribution of O. flavicauda and there no known area of sympatry. Oreonax flavicauda is only present above 1,500 m (A. DeLuycker and J. Vermeer pers. comm.) in the mountains bordering the range of C. oenanthe; the same is probably true for Aotus miconax (J. Vermeer pers. comm.).

Titi monkeys are known to be monogamous and live in small family groups. In the first long-term study of C. oenanthe (undertaken in an isolated fragment), a group of five monkeys (an adult male and female and their three offspring) used an area of 2.5 ha (DeLuycker 2007). This group’s diet consisted mainly of insects (45%) and fruits (39%), although young seeds, flowers and non-reproductive plant parts such as leaves, shoots and tendrils and new meristem were also eaten (DeLuycker 2007). Liana species were particularly important in the diet, as were fruits from stem-parasitic plants from the mistletoe family, and the group spent a considerable amount of time foraging for insects (DeLuycker 2006). In contrast with titi monkeys at other sites, the group used only three sleeping sites during the entire study. They shared the fragment with saddleback tamarins [Saguinus fuscicollis leucogenys] (DeLuycker 2006).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The main threat to this species is habitat loss and fragmentation. The region has suffered intense human colonization over the last 30 years because of a major agrarian programme, which has attracted huge numbers of immigrants. Agricultural activities include the cultivation of rice and coffee; cattle ranching and selective timber extraction also occur. The region is characterized by rapid rates of deforestation (estimates vary from 40,000 to 100,000 ha per year) and fragmentation, and has lost at least 40% of its forest cover, mainly from the low-altitude river basins (the preferred habitat of this species) over the last 20 years (Mark 2003; DeLuycker 2006). The construction of a two-lane all-weather road, which was asphalted in 2003 - La Carretera Marginal, Via Marginal, or Carretera Fernando Belaunde Terry - which runs all the way to the coast (Chiclayo) and past Tarapoto has contributed to the influx of immigrants and a change from subsistence to small-scale farming. It has also altered the spatial distribution of human settlers, who now follow the highway far into the valley and high forests, and the lack planning or state-regulated land occupation and use puts protected areas and remaining forests at risk (DeLuycker 2006). Both the Aguarunas and recent immigrants hunt this species (Mark 2003; DeLuycker 2006). While titis may not be a particularly lucrative source of protein, hunting pressure is likely to increase as preferred game become scarce and fragmentation facilitates access. These titi monkeys are popular as pets (Mark 2003; DeLuycker 2006) and have been found for sale at markets (Rowe and Martinez 2003; Mark 2003) and encountered along with Aotus miconax at tourist centres in the upper Mayo valley (Mark 2003).

Major Threat(s):

The main threat to this species is habitat loss and fragmentation. The region has suffered intense human colonization over the last 30 years because of a major agrarian programme, which has attracted huge numbers of immigrants. Agricultural activities include the cultivation of rice and coffee; cattle ranching and selective timber extraction also occur. The region is characterized by rapid rates of deforestation (estimates vary from 40,000 to 100,000 ha per year) and fragmentation, and has lost at least 40% of its forest cover, mainly from the low-altitude river basins (the preferred habitat of this species) over the last 20 years (Mark 2003; DeLuycker 2006). The construction of a two-lane all-weather road, which was asphalted in 2003 - La Carretera Marginal, Via Marginal, or Carretera Fernando Belaunde Terry - which runs all the way to the coast (Chiclayo) and past Tarapoto has contributed to the influx of immigrants and a change from subsistence to small-scale farming. It has also altered the spatial distribution of human settlers, who now follow the highway far into the valley and high forests, and the lack planning or state-regulated land occupation and use puts protected areas and remaining forests at risk (DeLuycker 2006).

Both the Aguarunas and recent immigrants hunt this species (Mark 2003; DeLuycker 2006). While titis may not be a particularly lucrative source of protein, hunting pressure is likely to increase as preferred game become scarce and fragmentation facilitates access.

These titi monkeys are popular as pets (Mark 2003; DeLuycker 2006) and have been found for sale at markets (Rowe and Martinez 2003; Mark 2003) and encountered along with Aotus miconax at tourist centres in the upper Mayo valley (Mark 2003).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	In the past, little attention has been given to forest conservation in this region. There are 13 municipal protected areas in the Department of San Martín; however, most are poorly demarcated and are routinely invaded by immigrants (Mark 2003). This species’ range possibly includes the Bosque de Protección de Alto Mayo, which extends from the town of Rioja north along the border between the departments of San Martín and Amazonas. During short surveys of the Reserve, no titis were detected in the high-altitude areas which make up most of the reserve. It is likely that the species only occurs in the low-altitude areas on the edges of the reserve (<1%) (Rowe and Martinez 2003; DeLuycker 2006). Other protected areas in this species’ range include: The Pabloyacu Reserve (640 ha) of the Universidad de San Martín, and Tarangue (74 ha), which belongs to a conservation organization called IKAMA Peru. Mark (2003) and DeLuycker (2006) have emphasized the potential importance of both privately owned reserves and Amerindian reservations for the long-term conservation of this species. There are 14 indigenous Aguaruna communities located throughout the Alto Mayo region. The large tracts of forested land allocated to these well-organized communities could play a key role in conservation initiatives (Mark 2003). A team of scientists from NatureServe, Conservation Data Center - Peru/UNALM, and the Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonia Peruana (IIAP) have recently completed part of a a project financed by the Moore foundation “Endemic Species and Ecological Systems of the Eastern Andean Slope and the Amazon Basin in Peru and Bolivia”. The objectives were to develop conservation baseline maps for the Andes-Amazon regions of Peru and Bolivia to inform planning and effective conservation action at regional and local scales and build local and regional capacity for developing and using biodiversity information. http://www.natureserve.org/aboutUs/latinamerica/andes_amazon.jsp Together with regional leaders the project identified sustainable ways to regulate land use while also protecting the region’s natural species and habitats. Biodiversity information generated by the project was analysed together with existing land use data to identify areas of high conservation concern and develop scenarios of land uses for agriculture, infrastructure and forestry that have lower impact and help support biodiversity conservation.

Conservation Actions:

In the past, little attention has been given to forest conservation in this region. There are 13 municipal protected areas in the Department of San Martín; however, most are poorly demarcated and are routinely invaded by immigrants (Mark 2003). This species’ range possibly includes the Bosque de Protección de Alto Mayo, which extends from the town of Rioja north along the border between the departments of San Martín and Amazonas. During short surveys of the Reserve, no titis were detected in the high-altitude areas which make up most of the reserve. It is likely that the species only occurs in the low-altitude areas on the edges of the reserve (<1%) (Rowe and Martinez 2003; DeLuycker 2006). Other protected areas in this species’ range include: The Pabloyacu Reserve (640 ha) of the Universidad de San Martín, and Tarangue (74 ha), which belongs to a conservation organization called IKAMA Peru. Mark (2003) and DeLuycker (2006) have emphasized the potential importance of both privately owned reserves and Amerindian reservations for the long-term conservation of this species. There are 14 indigenous Aguaruna communities located throughout the Alto Mayo region. The large tracts of forested land allocated to these well-organized communities could play a key role in conservation initiatives (Mark 2003).

A team of scientists from NatureServe, Conservation Data Center - Peru/UNALM, and the Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonia Peruana (IIAP) have recently completed part of a a project financed by the Moore foundation “Endemic Species and Ecological Systems of the Eastern Andean Slope and the Amazon Basin in Peru and Bolivia”. The objectives were to develop conservation baseline maps for the Andes-Amazon regions of Peru and Bolivia to inform planning and effective conservation action at regional and local scales and build local and regional capacity for developing and using biodiversity information.
http://www.natureserve.org/aboutUs/latinamerica/andes_amazon.jsp
Together with regional leaders the project identified sustainable ways to regulate land use while also protecting the region’s natural species and habitats. Biodiversity information generated by the project was analysed together with existing land use data to identify areas of high conservation concern and develop scenarios of land uses for agriculture, infrastructure and forestry that have lower impact and help support biodiversity conservation.

Citation:	Veiga, L.M., DeLuycker, A.M., Bóveda-Penalba, A.J., Vermeer, J. & Cornejo, F. 2008. Callicebus oenanthe. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 21 November 2009.
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