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Geoffroy's spider monkey

Geoffroy's spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi), also known as the Central American spider monkey, is a species of New World primate in the family Atelidae, characterized by its slender build, elongated limbs exceeding body length, prehensile tail serving as a fifth appendage, and vestigial thumbs.^[1]^[2] Native to tropical forests from southern Mexico through Central America to northwestern Colombia, adults weigh 6–9 kg with head-body lengths of 30–63 cm and tails up to 86 cm, exhibiting fur coloration varying from black to reddish-brown across subspecies.^[1]^[2] These monkeys inhabit mature rainforests, montane forests, and semi-deciduous woodlands up to 1,500 m elevation, relying on continuous canopy cover for brachiation and suspensory foraging.^[2]^[1] Their diet is predominantly frugivorous, comprising 70–80% ripe fruits with supplements of young leaves, flowers, seeds, and rare animal matter, which supports their role as key seed dispersers in forest ecosystems.^[2] Socially, they form fission-fusion groups of 20–50 individuals, with related males forming core units and females dispersing at maturity, spending much of their day traveling and feeding in subgroups.^[2]^[1] Reproduction occurs year-round, with females reaching maturity at four years and males at five, gestation lasting about 226–232 days and interbirth intervals of two to four years for single offspring.^[2]^[1] Classified as Endangered by the IUCN, A. geoffroyi faces severe population declines exceeding 50% over 45 years, driven primarily by habitat fragmentation from agricultural expansion and logging, compounded by hunting for bushmeat and the pet trade.^[3]^[2]

Taxonomy

Classification and evolutionary history

Ateles geoffroyi, Geoffroy's spider monkey, is classified in the family Atelidae, subfamily Atelinae, genus Ateles, within the order Primates.^[4] Its full taxonomic hierarchy includes kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, suborder Haplorrhini, and infraorder Simiiformes, aligning it with New World monkeys (Platyrrhini).^[5] The species was described by Heinrich Kuhl in 1820, honoring the French naturalist Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, while the genus name Ateles, established by Geoffroy in 1806, derives from the Greek ateles ("incomplete"), alluding to the reduced pollex (thumb). Current taxonomy draws from morphological reviews like Kellogg and Goldman (1944) and molecular updates by Rylands et al. (2006) and Morales-Jiménez et al. (2015). The evolutionary lineage of A. geoffroyi traces to the Atelidae family, which diverged from other platyrrhine families around 19.6 million years ago during the early Miocene, coinciding with Neotropical forest expansions.^[6] Within Atelidae, the subfamily Atelinae—including Ateles, Brachyteles, and Lagothrix—evolved suspensory adaptations like elongated limbs and prehensile tails, facilitating brachiation in canopy environments.^[7] The most recent common ancestor of extant Ateles species dates to approximately 6.7 million years ago in the late Miocene, with intra-generic diversification driven by Pleistocene climatic oscillations and habitat fragmentation.^[8] Phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial DNA reveal Ateles as monophyletic, with A. marginatus as the basal taxon and Mesoamerican forms like A. geoffroyi forming a derived clade.^[9] Within A. geoffroyi, molecular evidence indicates recent divergences (0.8–1.7 million years ago) among regional populations, supporting potential taxonomic revisions for subspecies such as A. g. yucatanensis and A. g. frontatus.^[10] Fossil records for Atelidae extend to Miocene forms, but direct ancestors of Ateles remain elusive, with evolutionary inferences relying on comparative morphology and genetic data rather than abundant skeletal evidence.^[11] These adaptations underscore causal links between arboreal selective pressures and traits like tail prehensility, enhancing foraging efficiency in discontinuous forest canopies.^[12]

Subspecies and genetic variation

Geoffroy's spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) is classified into multiple subspecies, primarily differentiated by geographic isolation, pelage variations, and cranial morphology, as outlined in taxonomic revisions. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) tentatively recognizes six subspecies: A. g. geoffroyi (nominate form, distributed across parts of Central America including Nicaragua and Costa Rica), A. g. azuerensis (restricted to the Azuero Peninsula in Panama), A. g. frontatus (found in eastern Panama), A. g. grisescens (of doubtful validity, purportedly from the Río Tuyra valley in Panama), A. g. ornatus (in northwestern Costa Rica and parts of Nicaragua), and A. g. panamensis (central and western Panama). Additional subspecies proposed in earlier works include A. g. vellerosus (northern Mexico to Guatemala) and A. g. yucatanensis (Yucatán Peninsula), though their distinctiveness from the nominate form remains debated pending further morphological and molecular confirmation. These subspecies reflect allopatric distributions shaped by historical barriers such as rivers and mountain ranges, with limited gene flow inferred from pelage and skull measurements documented since Kellogg and Goldman's 1944 review. Recent taxonomic notes emphasize that boundaries are provisional, as some populations exhibit clinal variation rather than discrete differences, and hybridization zones may exist where ranges overlap slightly. Genetic variation within A. geoffroyi has been assessed primarily through microsatellite loci, revealing moderate heterozygosity but overall low diversity compared to less fragmented primate populations, attributable to habitat loss and isolation. In Nicaraguan groups from the Rivas Isthmus, eight microsatellite loci showed observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.52 to 0.68 across social units, with significant differentiation (F_ST = 0.12–0.18) indicating restricted dispersal in human-modified landscapes.^[13] Similarly, in El Salvador's fragmented forests, four populations exhibited higher observed than expected heterozygosity (mean H_O = 0.71), yet total diversity was reduced (mean H_E = 0.65), signaling inbreeding risks from small effective population sizes below 50 individuals per group.^[14] Maternal kinship strongly influences association networks, as evidenced by 24-year pedigree reconstructions using genetic markers, underscoring female philopatry as a driver of local genetic structure over broad dispersal.^[15] These patterns highlight vulnerability to further erosion from deforestation, with no evidence of subspecies-level divergence in mitochondrial or nuclear markers sufficient to warrant elevation to full species status.^[13]

Physical characteristics

Morphology and size

Geoffroy's spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) exhibits a slender, elongated body adapted for arboreal locomotion, with head and body length ranging from 30 to 63 cm and tail length from 63 to 85 cm.^[16] Adults typically weigh between 6 and 9 kg, with males averaging 8.21 kg (range 7.42–9 kg) and showing minimal sexual dimorphism in size. ^[16] The species possesses disproportionately long limbs relative to body size, with arms significantly longer than legs, facilitating brachiation and suspension from branches.^[1] Fingers are long and curved, lacking a functional thumb or possessing only a vestigial one, which enhances grasping during swinging.^[17] The prehensile tail, often exceeding body length, functions as a fifth limb capable of supporting the monkey's full body weight and is used for balance, manipulation, and locomotion.^[1] ^[18] Pelage varies across subspecies but generally consists of coarse, dark brown to yellowish fur, with a naked or sparsely haired face typically black or dark-pigmented.^[18] The overall "spidery" appearance derives from the extended, thin limbs and tail, optimizing the animal for navigating the forest canopy.^[1] Subspecies exhibit minor morphological variations, such as fur coloration, but body proportions and size ranges remain consistent across the species.

Locomotion adaptations

Geoffroy's spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) exhibit specialized adaptations for suspensory locomotion in the forest canopy, predominantly employing brachiation and bridging to traverse gaps between branches, which accounts for a significant portion of their positional behavior.^[19] ^[20] These modes minimize the need for quadrupedal walking on narrow supports, enabling efficient movement through discontinuous arboreal substrates where ripe fruit foraging occurs.^[21] Morphologically, their forelimbs are elongated relative to hindlimbs, with intermembral indices exceeding 100, promoting arm-over-arm swinging and reducing reliance on hindlimb propulsion during suspension.^[22] The hands feature a reduced pollex and elongated digits that form a hook-like grip, optimizing prehension of overhead branches without opposition from a full thumb, as evidenced by osteological studies of ateline primates.^[23] Shoulder joints exhibit high mobility due to glenohumeral articulation that allows extensive rotation and flexion, facilitating the pendulum-like dynamics of brachiation.^[24] The prehensile tail serves as a functional fifth limb, with a muscular, tactile structure and a friction-enhancing dermal pad on the distal underside, enabling secure grasping of substrates during suspension, climbing, and goal-directed bridging.^[23] ^[2] This tail supports full body weight in static hangs and dynamic swings, freeing forelimbs for feeding or manipulation, and its length—often exceeding trunk dimensions—enhances reach in fragmented canopies.^[21] Experimental analyses confirm the tail's role in stabilizing trajectories and preventing falls, with osteological correlates like elongated caudal vertebrae underscoring its locomotor primacy over mere balance.^[23] These adaptations correlate with low energy costs in suspensory travel compared to terrestrial quadrupedalism, though brachiation demands greater metabolic expenditure than walking on broad supports, as quantified in kinematic studies of Ateles species.^[25] In fragmented habitats, such traits enable persistence in high-canopy niches, though habitat loss disrupts optimal locomotor substrates.^[26]

Distribution and habitat

Geographic range

Geoffroy's spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) is native to the neotropical forests spanning from southern Mexico through Central America to Panama.^[1]^[2] In Mexico, populations occur along both coasts, from Tamaulipas in the northeast and Jalisco in the west, southward through states including Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo.^[1]^[2] The species' range continues into Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.^[27]^[28] Some authorities extend the distribution to northwestern Colombia, though populations there may overlap with or be classified under related taxa such as Ateles fusciceps.^[1] Throughout its range, the monkey inhabits a variety of forested habitats, but its distribution is increasingly fragmented due to habitat loss.

Habitat requirements and environmental influences

Geoffroy's spider monkeys primarily inhabit mature tropical rainforests, including evergreen, semi-deciduous, and montane forests from sea level up to approximately 1,500 meters elevation, where continuous canopy layers support their arboreal lifestyle.^[2]^[1] These primates require forests with tall trees exceeding 20 meters and high structural connectivity to enable brachiation and suspensory movement, avoiding ground-level travel due to predation risks and limited terrestrial adaptations.^[29] They favor primary or old-growth forests over secondary growth, as evidenced by higher densities and activity levels in mature stands with greater fruit availability and canopy integrity.^[30] Large home ranges, typically 5 to 25 square kilometers per group, are essential to access dispersed fruit resources, with individuals traveling up to 5 kilometers daily during peak foraging periods.^[2] Habitat suitability depends on floristic diversity, particularly the presence of Ficus and Cecropia species that provide staple foods, alongside minimal understory density to minimize energy expenditure in navigation.^[1] In fragmented landscapes, monkeys exhibit reduced ranging and increased fallback to lower-quality foods, underscoring their intolerance for small patches below 100 hectares.^[31] Deforestation driven by agricultural expansion and logging has reduced suitable habitat by over 50% in parts of Mesoamerica since the 1970s, fragmenting populations and elevating extinction risks, as isolated groups suffer from inbreeding and resource scarcity.^[32]^[2] Climatic factors, including seasonal droughts and altered rainfall patterns, influence fruit phenology and force activity adjustments, with prolonged dry seasons correlating to heightened nutritional stress and lower reproductive success in affected populations.^[33] Forest degradation from selective logging disrupts canopy continuity, reducing mobility and increasing exposure to predators, while edge effects amplify microclimatic shifts that degrade food resources.^[34] Conservation data indicate that protected areas with over 70% forest cover maintain viable densities, highlighting the causal link between habitat integrity and persistence.^[35]

Behavior

Geoffroy's spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) exhibit a fission-fusion social structure characterized by large, stable communities that temporarily split into smaller subgroups for foraging and reunite periodically, a pattern driven by resource distribution and predation risks. Community sizes typically range from 20 to 42 individuals, with subgroups varying from solitary animals to parties of up to 20 members, often comprising all-male coalitions, females with dependent offspring, or mixed-sex groups.^[2]^[36] This dynamic allows flexibility in response to seasonal fruit scarcity, as larger communities fission into smaller units to reduce feeding competition while maintaining overall cohesion through vocalizations and spatial memory.^[36] Males display philopatry, remaining in their natal groups and forming strong, kin-based bonds reinforced by grooming, embraces, and coalitions against intruders, which supports territorial defense and mating access. In contrast, females typically disperse at maturity, transferring between communities to avoid inbreeding, resulting in weaker female-female associations compared to male bonds. Maternal kinship influences association networks, with related females showing higher proximity and affiliation, though overall female tolerance remains high with low rates of agonism across sexes.^[37]^[15] Group dynamics reflect tolerance rather than rigid hierarchies, as evidenced by minimal aggression and frequent peaceful co-foraging, enabling efficient exploitation of patchy resources in arboreal habitats.^[38]

Foraging and diet

Geoffroy's spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) are primarily frugivorous, with ripe fruits comprising approximately 80-90% of their diet across various habitats in Mesoamerica.^[39]^[40] Young leaves, mature leaves, flowers, seeds, bark, and occasional insects or invertebrates make up the remainder, though leaves are the second most consumed item after fruits.^[41] This composition reflects adaptations to ripe fruit specialization, including cryptic fruit species that require keen sensory detection.^[42] Foraging occurs predominantly in the forest canopy, leveraging the prehensile tail and elongated limbs for suspensory locomotion to access dispersed fruit patches. Individuals or small subgroups—often 1-5 animals—travel several kilometers daily to locate high-quality food sources, exhibiting selective feeding on fruits based on ripeness, nutritional content, and plant species availability.^[43]^[39] Collective decision-making influences patch selection, with group members coordinating via vocalizations and visual cues to maximize energy intake while minimizing competition in their fission-fusion social structure.^[43] Dietary intake varies seasonally with fruit phenology; during scarcity, reliance on leaves increases, potentially affecting energy budgets and group cohesion. Spider monkeys process large quantities of food rapidly due to a relatively small hindgut, enabling high throughput of fruits over folivorous alternatives like howler monkeys.^[40]^[44] Olfactory and visual discrimination aids in selecting preferred items, such as sweeter, less tannin-rich fruits.^[45]

Communication and cognition

Geoffroy's spider monkeys produce a variety of vocalizations, including barks, whinnies, squeals, squeaks, and screams, which serve functions such as alarm signaling and group contact maintenance.^[2] Whinny calls, in particular, function as long-distance contact signals audible up to approximately 300 meters, aiding cohesion in their fission-fusion social groups.^[46] The acoustic structure of these calls varies with caller intent and arousal levels; for instance, agonistic vocalizations differ based on the emitter's role in interactions and the severity of aggression, allowing for nuanced expression of social tensions.^[47] In addition to vocal signals, Geoffroy's spider monkeys employ intentional gestures for communication, such as arm-raising to solicit allo-grooming from conspecifics, which demonstrates their capacity for goal-directed signaling.^[48] Gestural repertoires are influenced by recipient attention, with individuals more likely to gesture toward attentive others, and preceding vocalizations enhance the efficacy of these visual signals by drawing focus.^[49] Other behaviors, including headshaking directed at play partners and self-anointing with plant substances, may convey affiliative or signaling intent within social contexts.^[50]^[51] Cognitively, Geoffroy's spider monkeys exhibit numerical discrimination abilities, as captive individuals successfully compared quantities of food items in petri dishes, selecting the larger amount in relative numerosity tasks.^[52] They demonstrate reversal learning in serial visual tasks, adapting to rule changes across multiple trials, which reflects flexibility in associative learning potentially linked to tracking dynamic social relationships.^[53] Evidence of tool use in wild populations includes manipulating sticks or foliage for foraging or probing, alongside puzzle-box solving that reveals manual laterality preferences influenced by task visibility.^[54]^[55] These capacities, supported by a relatively high brain-to-body mass ratio, enable problem-solving, route planning, and visual recognition memory, as shown in delayed match-to-sample tasks where subjects matched sample images amid distractors.^[56]

Reproduction and life history

Mating systems

Geoffroy's spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) exhibit a promiscuous, or polygynandrous, mating system characterized by both sexes mating with multiple partners, facilitated by their fission-fusion social structure where large communities subdivide into fluid subgroups.^[17]^[57] Breeding occurs year-round without a seasonal peak, allowing opportunistic copulations whenever subgroups fuse or receptive females encounter males.^[1] Females typically reach sexual maturity at 4 years and males at 5 years, with estrus confined to 2–3 days within a 24–27-day cycle, signaled by prominent anogenital swelling that advertises receptivity.^[1] During estrus, females actively seek matings and consort with multiple males, sometimes in rapid succession or within male aggregations, promoting high female mate choice and reducing risks of infanticide through paternity confusion.^[58]^[57] Males assess female fertility by sniffing and manually inspecting the genital area, including touching the clitoris to detect olfactory cues, before initiating brief copulations that last seconds and occur in diverse positions such as ventro-ventral or dorsoventral.^[2]^[1] Male competition manifests as scramble polygyny rather than strict dominance hierarchies, with tactics including short-term consortships, opportunistic sneaking, and coalitionary support during fusions, though overt aggression remains low due to the species' dispersed ranging.^[59]^[57] This system aligns with the ecological demands of their fruit-dependent diet and arboreal habitat, where subgroup fluidity minimizes feeding competition while enabling variable mating access; however, asynchronous female cycles prevent male monopolization, sustaining promiscuity over polygyny.^[57] Empirical observations from wild populations in Central America confirm that such dynamics yield interbirth intervals of 20–60 months (averaging 37.5), influenced by lactation-induced anovulation rather than mating constraints.^[1]

Development and parental care

Geoffroy's spider monkeys produce a single offspring following a gestation period of 226 to 232 days.^[1] Births occur at intervals of two to four years, influenced by lactation-induced suppression of ovulation.^[2]^[60] Mothers provide sole parental care, with newborns carried ventrally and clinging to the mother's abdomen for the initial weeks, occupying nearly 100% of travel time in close contact.^[61] Dorsal carrying emerges around one month of age and predominates by three months, facilitating the infant's growing mobility.^[61] Ventro-ventral contact, essential for nursing, exceeds 80% of observations in the first month but declines below 20% by four months as infants begin short separations.^[61] Infants achieve initial independent locomotion between nine and ten months, though mothers continue carrying until approximately 19 to 20 months.^[61] Maternal rejections of nursing attempts commence around 19 months, marking the transition to weaning, which typically occurs between 24 and 31 months, with nursing occasionally persisting up to 38 months or longer than two years in some cases.^[61]^[60] Over the first three years, mother-infant proximity decreases markedly by one year, with infants spending more time beyond eight meters from the mother by 13 months and increasing exploration behaviors by 19 months.^[62]^[61] Social play peaks around 21 months, coinciding with full locomotor independence and reduced reliance on maternal tolerance, reflecting the species' emphasis on extended maternal investment to support arboreal foraging skills and fission-fusion social dynamics.^[61]^[62]

Ecology and interactions

Predators and defenses

Geoffroy's spider monkeys face predation primarily from large terrestrial felids, including pumas (Puma concolor) and jaguars (Panthera onca), which opportunistically target individuals descending to lower canopy strata or the forest floor.^[63]^[64] Documented instances include puma attacks resulting in the death of an adult and a subadult in a protected area in Mexico, highlighting vulnerability during terrestrial or low-elevation activities.^[65] Aerial predators, such as harpy eagles (Harpia harpyja), pose risks mainly to infants and juveniles, though confirmed events on Geoffroy's subspecies remain rare.^[66] Semi-arboreal carnivores like tayras (Eira barbara) have been observed pursuing groups, but successful captures are infrequent.^[67] Overall predation pressure appears low relative to smaller-bodied primates, attributable to the species' canopy-restricted lifestyle, with terrestrial felids accounting for sporadic confirmed losses.^[63] Defensive strategies emphasize evasion over confrontation, leveraging anatomical and behavioral adaptations suited to arboreal evasion. The prehensile tail and elongated limbs enable brachiation and rapid traversal of discontinuous canopy branches, minimizing exposure to ground-based threats.^[66] Upon detecting predators, individuals emit bark-like alarm calls to propagate awareness across fission-fusion subgroups, prompting collective flight responses.^[68] Height in the canopy correlates with reduced vigilance toward predators, as monkeys position themselves above felid reach, though social monitoring dominates scan rates even in high-risk contexts.^[64] Group cohesion during threats enhances early detection, but physical aggression toward predators is absent, with reliance instead on cryptic silence or accelerated dispersal in human-proximal scenarios extending to natural encounters.^[66]

Role in ecosystems

Geoffroy's spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) serves as a primary seed disperser in Neotropical forests, consuming ripe fruits from up to 364 plant species and defecating viable seeds at distances that promote forest regeneration and reduce density-dependent mortality near parent trees.^[69] Their frugivorous diet, comprising approximately 80% fruit, enables the dispersal of seeds from large-seeded tree species, including hardwoods that contribute to carbon sequestration in tropical ecosystems.^[69]^[70] By traversing extensive home ranges exceeding 900 hectares and traveling long daily distances in the canopy, these monkeys deposit seeds in nutrient-enriched latrines at sleeping sites, fostering clustered recruitment that can enhance seedling survival under specific conditions while influencing spatial patterns of tree populations.^[2]^[71] This endozoochorous dispersal maintains vegetation structure, species diversity, and distribution, particularly in continuous rainforests where their effectiveness surpasses that in fragmented habitats due to reduced mobility constraints.^[66]^[72] Their absence in degraded or hunted areas disrupts these processes, leading to diminished forest recovery and biodiversity, as evidenced by studies in southern Mexico showing altered seed shadows in fragmented landscapes.^[72]^[73] Overall, A. geoffroyi embodies a keystone frugivore role, symbiotically supporting ecosystem health through seed-mediated gene flow and habitat renewal.^[66]^[70]

Conservation

Population status

Geoffroy's spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to ongoing habitat destruction, hunting, and pet trade, with a suspected population decline exceeding 50% over the past 45 years, spanning three generations. Precise global population estimates remain unavailable, reflecting challenges in surveying fragmented forest habitats across its range from southern Mexico to Colombia and Ecuador, but local densities vary from 0.1 to 6 individuals per square kilometer in remaining suitable areas.^[2] The overall trend is decreasing, with subpopulations isolated in protected areas and secondary forests showing variable stability amid pervasive threats. Certain subspecies face more acute risks; for instance, the Mexican spider monkey (A. g. vellerosus) is assessed as Critically Endangered, having undergone an estimated 80% population reduction over the last 45 years, largely from deforestation in northern Central America. Similarly, A. g. azuerensis and A. g. geoffroyi are considered Critically Endangered in regional evaluations, highlighting intraspecific variation in decline rates driven by localized hunting pressures and agricultural expansion.^[74] Conservation monitoring indicates that while some protected populations in national parks like Corcovado in Costa Rica persist at low densities, unprotected fragments continue to lose individuals annually.^[2]

Primary threats

Habitat loss and degradation constitute the foremost threat to Ateles geoffroyi, driven primarily by deforestation for agricultural expansion, cattle ranching, and selective logging that removes key fruit-bearing trees from their diet. In Mesoamerica, where the species occurs, forest cover has diminished by roughly 70% due to these activities, with models forecasting an additional 34% reduction by 2063 under prevailing trends.^[2] This fragmentation isolates populations, as the monkey's arboreal lifestyle and need for extensive primary forest—spanning home ranges up to 1,000 hectares—render secondary or degraded habitats inadequate for sustained viability.^[2] Hunting for bushmeat and capture for the illegal pet trade exacerbate declines, particularly in accessible regions where human encroachment facilitates direct persecution.^[2] Infants are especially targeted in the pet trade, often following the killing of mothers, which compounds reproductive losses in already low-density groups. These combined pressures have prompted the IUCN to classify A. geoffroyi as Endangered, with a projected population reduction exceeding 50% over the subsequent 45 years from the 2014 assessment baseline. Additional localized risks include wildfires and infrastructure development, such as road construction, which increase human-wildlife conflict and further erode contiguous forest blocks essential for dispersal and gene flow.^[75] The species' sensitivity to low forest cover—avoiding areas below 80% canopy integrity—and proximity to paved roads underscores its vulnerability to ongoing anthropogenic landscape changes.^[76]

Conservation measures and outcomes

Conservation measures for Ateles geoffroyi encompass habitat protection through the establishment of national parks, biosphere reserves, and other designated areas across its range from Mexico to Colombia, including sites like Tortuguero National Park in Costa Rica and Bahía de Jiquilisco in El Salvador.^[77]^[78] In-place land protection covers much of the species' distribution, supplemented by recent education and awareness programs aimed at reducing hunting and pet trade.^[79] Rehabilitation efforts by organizations such as Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center in Costa Rica involve soft-release techniques for rescued individuals, with reported high post-release survival through pre-release conditioning in enclosed habitats mimicking wild conditions.^[80] Similar programs at Wildtracks in Belize have rehabilitated over 20 individuals into cohesive troops for potential release, focusing on behavioral restoration and disease screening.^[81] Reintroduction initiatives provide targeted outcomes in isolated cases; on Barro Colorado Island, Panama, releases between 1959 and 1966 resulted in five survivors (one male and four females) from at least 18 individuals, with three females establishing a breeding group that has persisted and grown modestly, demonstrating viability in predator-free, protected island habitats.^[82] Ongoing planning for reintroductions, such as by Wild Sun Rescue in Costa Rica to restore local extirpations, emphasizes genetic assessment and habitat suitability, though full implementation and long-term tracking remain pending.^[83] Research integrates genetic monitoring to assess fragmentation effects, revealing low diversity in remnant populations like El Salvador's, informing targeted interventions.^[84] Acoustic detection tools have enhanced surveys, enabling non-invasive abundance estimates in dense forests.^[85] Despite these actions, outcomes indicate limited reversal of declines; the species was reclassified as Endangered in recent assessments due to accelerated habitat loss exceeding protection gains, with projected reductions over 50% across three generations (45 years).^[13] Eight of 16 subspecies show decreasing trends, and while densities in mature, protected forests approach those in undisturbed areas, fragmentation sustains isolation and low genetic variability, hindering recovery.^[86]^[30] Local successes, such as stable reintroduced groups, contrast with broader failures attributed to inadequate enforcement against deforestation and poaching, underscoring the need for scaled-up, integrated efforts.^[84]

Recent research and monitoring

Recent research on Ateles geoffroyi has emphasized non-invasive monitoring techniques to assess population dynamics and habitat suitability amid ongoing threats. A 2023 study utilized passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) across 341 sites covering over 1,000 km² in Costa Rica, collecting 35,805 hours of audio data to detect the species' distinctive whinny calls via an automated detector.^[85] This approach revealed tipping points of human disturbance, with detections ceasing in areas below 80% forest cover or near paved roads, informing habitat restoration priorities.^[85] ^[87] AI-enhanced acoustic surveillance has expanded monitoring efficiency, enabling coverage of larger areas at reduced cost compared to traditional line-transect surveys. In late 2024 analyses building on prior PAM data, researchers highlighted the method's role in tracking elusive arboreal primates like Geoffroy's spider monkey, where visual sightings are rare due to their canopy-dwelling habits and fission-fusion social structure.^[88] Complementary 2024 behavioral studies tested drone-based observations, finding minimal short-term disturbance—primarily increased agonistic displays but no flight responses—validating drones for population density estimates without eliciting predator-like reactions.^[89] Population resurveys in protected areas, such as Mexico's Otoch Ma'ax yetel Kooh reserve in 2021, compared Geoffroy's spider monkey densities against earlier baselines, revealing stable but fragmented subgroups amid habitat pressures.^[90] In El Salvador, ongoing genetic monitoring since 2023 has documented low diversity in remnant populations within Montecristo National Park, linking it to fragmentation and fires, while advocating for corridor creation.^[84] These efforts underscore the species' sensitivity to edge effects, with projections indicating potential 50% population decline over 45 years without intensified interventions.^[85]

Human dimensions

Cultural and historical significance

Geoffroy's spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) features prominently in ancient Mesoamerican cultures, particularly among the Maya, where it symbolized mischief and ingenuity in mythological narratives. In the Popol Vuh, the foundational K'iche' Maya text, spider monkeys appear alongside howler monkeys as divine precursors to humanity, depicted as skilled artisans who failed to create proper humans but embodied cleverness and playfulness.^[91] Archaeological art from Maya sites often portrays spider monkeys engaging in lewd or silly behaviors, contrasting with more reverent depictions of howler monkeys, highlighting their role as trickster figures in folklore.^[92] Historical evidence underscores the monkey's value in inter-regional diplomacy and trade networks. Excavations at Teotihuacan, central Mexico, uncovered the remains of a juvenile Geoffroy's spider monkey sacrificed between 300 and 350 CE, with strontium isotope analysis confirming its origin in the Maya lowlands over 1,000 kilometers away, marking the earliest verified case of primate translocation and captivity in the Americas.^[93] This find supports interpretations of the animal as a diplomatic gift exchanged between Teotihuacan and Maya polities, reflecting its status as an exotic, high-value commodity absent from central Mexico's arid ecosystems.^[94]^[95] Among contemporary indigenous groups in its range, such as the Lacandon Maya of Chiapas, Mexico, Geoffroy's spider monkey ranks moderately in cultural significance indices, valued for ecological knowledge and potential medicinal or subsistence uses, though less prominently than other primates like howler monkeys.^[96] Popoluca communities in Los Tuxtlas, Mexico, perceive it through lenses of coexistence and traditional ecology, with ethnoprimatological studies noting its integration into local taxonomies and narratives, albeit without dominant folklore roles compared to larger species.^[97] In broader Central American indigenous views, spider monkeys evoke symbols of arboreal agility and forest connectivity, occasionally featured in oral traditions as emblems of natural harmony.^[98]

Interactions with humans

Geoffroy's spider monkeys are hunted for bushmeat in parts of their range, particularly in Central America where political instability and habitat fragmentation have intensified pressure on primate populations. In El Salvador, for instance, hunting targets the species as the sole primate present, contributing to local declines amid broader bushmeat crises driven by human demand for protein.^[99] The illegal pet trade also poses a direct interaction, with Geoffroy's spider monkeys frequently captured and sold domestically or internationally, often sourced from wild populations in Mexico and Central America. Surveys in Mexico City documented Ateles geoffroyi among native species kept as pets, with owners reporting acquisition through informal networks, highlighting vulnerabilities to trafficking that result in high mortality during capture and transport. Online platforms exacerbate this, as analyses of primate pet listings identified numerous Geoffroy's spider monkeys offered for sale, underscoring the trade's scale despite legal protections.^[100]^[101] Human-wildlife conflicts arise from spider monkeys raiding agricultural crops in human-modified landscapes, where fragmented forests force groups to exploit matrix habitats for food. In such areas, individuals access resources like fruits from farms, leading to retaliatory killings by farmers experiencing economic losses from crop damage adjacent to protected zones. However, the species demonstrates adaptability, incorporating anthropogenically provided foods to buffer against habitat disturbance, which can mitigate but not eliminate these tensions.^[102]^[103]^[34]

References

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Insufficient relevant content. The provided URL (https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22709329/17929000) returns a 404 error, indicating the page does not exist. No empirical data or key facts about *Ateles geoffroyi* (Geoffroy’s spider monkey) are available from the content.
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Ateles geoffroyi - NCBI
THE NCBI Taxonomy database allows browsing of the taxonomy tree, which contains a classification of organisms.
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Location in Taxonomic Tree ; Suborder, Haplorrhini ; Infraorder, Simiiformes ; Family, Atelidae ; Subfamily, Atelinae ; Genus, Ateles.
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Combining fossil and molecular data to date the diversification of ...
Sep 10, 2013 · The first split within the NWA crown clade was the Atelidae/Cebidae divergence at 19.6 Ma. The TMRCA of the Cebidae was estimated at 17.0 Ma.
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Spider monkeys are one of the most widespread New World primate genera, ranging from southern Mexico to Bolivia.
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Spider monkeys (Ateles) are one of the most endangered groups of primates in the Neotropics. The genus is widely distributed from Mexico to the north of Bolivia ...
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Molecular evidence suggests the need for a revised taxonomy
Phylogenetic relationships of Mesoamerican spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi): Molecular evidence suggests the need for a revised taxonomy · Abstract · Publication ...Missing: Geoffroy's | Show results with:Geoffroy's
[11]
[PDF] Evolutionary history of New World monkeys revealed by molecular ...
Aug 18, 2017 · S8). This suggests a rapid change in body mass range as the three families diverged, between the Late Oligocene and the Early Miocene, followed ...
[12]
2 - Morphology and evolution of the spider monkey, genus Ateles
Spider monkeys are different by far. For example, as close as Brachyteles is to the visage of a spider monkey with its ungainly limbs and shortness of face, it ...
[13]
Population genetic patterns among social groups of the endangered ...
The black-handed spider monkey, Ateles geoffroyi (Fig. 1), like its genus as a whole, is a primate that is widespread in its distribution but locally threatened ...Missing: facts | Show results with:facts
[14]
(PDF) Genetic diversity of the endangered black-handed spider ...
Jan 15, 2022 · Our results show higher observed than expected heterozygosity, but low genetic diversity compared to published data on other spider monkey ...
[15]
Influence of maternal kinship on association network structure in a ...
We explore how maternal kinship influences the structure of association networks in a group of wild Geoffroy's spider monkeys, Ateles geoffroyi, over 24 years.
[16]
https://institutoasis.com/geoffroys-spider-monkey-ateles-geoffroyi/
[17]
Ateles (spider monkeys) | INFORMATION - Animal Diversity Web
Selectivity in feeding preferences and ranging patterns in spider monkeys Ateles geoffroyi yucatanensis of northeastern Yucatan peninsula, Mexico. Current ...Missing: facts | Show results with:facts
[18]
Ateles Geoffroyi - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
The subfamily Atelinae includes three genera: Ateles, the spider monkey; Brachyteles, the woolly spider monkey; and Lagothrix, the woolly monkey. The genus ...
[19]
Locomotion and Posture in Ateles geoffroy i and Ateles paniscu s</i
Aug 6, 2025 · The locomotor and postural behavior of Ateles geoffroyi and Ateles paniscus was studied in Panama and Surinam. Ateles locomotion can be ...
[20]
[PDF] Activity Budgets and Behavior of Captive Black-handed Spider ...
Ateles geoffroyi geoffroyi, commonly known as the Black-handed Spider Monkey ... rely heavily upon suspensory modes of locomotion such as climbing and brachiating ...
[21]
(PDF) Locomotion and positional behavior of spider monkeys
Ateles are considered ripe fruit specialists, and the diet of Ateles geoffroyi consists of approximately 80% fruit from as many as 364 plant species (González ...
[22]
Black spider monkey - Wisconsin National Primate Research Center
Jun 26, 2009 · Locomotion and posture in Ateles geoffroyi and Ateles paniscus. Folia Primatol 30: 161-93. Mittermeier RA, van Roosmalen MGM. 1981 ...
[23]
Role of the prehensile tail during ateline locomotion - ResearchGate
Aug 6, 2025 · The tail is used in goal-directed movements to support the body in suspension (e.g., feeding, monitoring) and brachiation and can be used to ...
[24]
Correlation between musculoskeletal structure of the hand and ...
May 4, 2020 · Ateles geoffroyi, Poa. Pongo abelii, Ab. Ateles belzebuth, Sys ... Torque change upon grasping tree branches of different sizes during quadrupedal ...
[25]
[PDF] Point-mass model of brachiation - Andy Ruina
monkeys Ateles geoffroyi and A. belzebuth that the cost of locomotion was always greater in brachiation versus quadrupedal walking (Parsons and Taylor, 1977).
[26]
Multi-scale movement syndromes for comparative analyses of ...
Oct 4, 2023 · ... (Ateles geoffroyi). We hypothesized that the unique ecology and locomotor adaptations of these species (Table 2) would result in species ...
[27]
Black-Handed Spider Monkey | Birmingham Zoo
Scientific Name. Ateles geoffroyi. Phylum. Chordata. Class. Mammalia. Order. Primates. Family. Atelidae. Genus. Ateles. Species. Ateles geoffrayi. Geographic ...
[28]
[PDF] Central American Spider Monkey Ateles geoffroyi Kuhl, 1820 Mexico ...
Central American spider monkeys Ateles geoffroyi are distributed in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras,. El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama (Rylands et ...Missing: facts | Show results with:facts
[29]
Black-Handed Spider Monkey - Honolulu Zoo Society
The black-handed spider monkey is one of the largest New World monkeys, often weighing as much as 9 kg (20 lb). Sounds produced by Geoffroy's spider monkey ...<|separator|>
[30]
Forest maturity has a stronger influence on the prevalence of spider ...
Female spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) cope with anthropogenic disturbance through fission–fusion dynamics. ... Environmental factors are stronger ...
[31]
Spider Monkeys in Human-Modified Landscapes - BioOne
Jan 1, 2020 · Here, we assessed the use of the landscape matrix by spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) in 13 forest sites from three countries (Mexico, Costa ...
[32]
[PDF] How do spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) modify their environment ...
Throughout the distribution, their populations are significantly decreasing because of deforestation, fragmentation, and forest degradation. (Ramos-Fernández & ...
[33]
(PDF) Influence of Climatic Variables, Forest Type, and Condition on ...
Aug 6, 2025 · We used data from 18 communities of Mesoamerican spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) throughout their range to determine whether their activity ...
[34]
Female Spider Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) Cope with Anthropogenic ...
Jul 28, 2017 · For example, Geoffroy's spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) and black howler monkeys (Ateles pigra) living in fragmented forests exhibit higher ...
[35]
Effectiveness of Costa Rica's Conservation Portfolio to Lower ...
Nov 4, 2020 · From 2001 to 2017, the region experienced a loss of 1.02 km2 of forest per year with a deforestation rate of 0.30% for a total loss of 16.28 km2 ...
[36]
Seasonal Changes in Socio-Spatial Structure in a Group of Free ...
Jun 9, 2016 · We examined the socio-spatial patterns of adult individuals in a free-ranging group of spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi), a species with high fission-fusion ...
[37]
Maternal Investment Fosters Male but Not Female Social ...
May 29, 2023 · We studied whether female and male immatures in male-philopatric Geoffroy's spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) differ in their social behaviour.
[38]
[PDF] The Social Behavior of Rehabilitated Spider Monkeys (<i>Ateles ...
The study found that spider monkeys generally avoid conflict, with low rates of agonism and affiliation. Increased space and free association positively impact ...
[39]
Specialized for the reach: Fruit picking and positional behavior favor ...
May 20, 2025 · Abstract. The Geoffroy's spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) has distinctive features, including a vestigial external thumb, long fingers and ...
[40]
Diets of wild spider monkeys (Chapter 4)
In this chapter, we first review what is known of the diet of wild Ateles, paying particular attention to data from long-term ecological studies.
[41]
Diet of spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) in Mesoamerica - PubMed
At all study sites fruits were the most common food item in the diet followed by leaves.
[42]
The ability of captive spider monkeys, Ateles geoffroyi, to visually ...
Jun 20, 2025 · Geoffroy's spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) are highly frugivorous platyrrhines and specialize on ripe fruit, including cryptic fruit species ...
[43]
Uncovering the decision rules behind collective foraging in spider ...
We evaluated the collective foraging decisions made by a group of Geoffroy's spider monkeys, Ateles geoffroyi, in a tropical forest in the Yucatan peninsula, ...Missing: diet peer-
[44]
Food Choice and Digestive Strategies of Two Sympatric Primate ...
Conversely, spider monkeys, with smaller hindguts than howlers, are able to process greater quantities of food per unit time. In this way they can specialize on ...<|separator|>
[45]
(PDF) Food Preferences and Nutrient Composition in Captive Spider ...
Aug 9, 2025 · Using a two-alternative choice test, we repeatedly presented 7 Ateles geoffroyi with all possible binary combinations of 12 types of food that ...
[46]
Frequency distribution of inter-call intervals of spider monkeys...
... Spider monkeys use whinnies (a contact call) to maintain contact with other group members. These calls can be heard from about 300 m away and provide ...<|separator|>
[47]
The acoustic structure of spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) calls is ...
May 16, 2023 · Role of emitter and severity of aggression influence the agonistic vocalizations of Geoffroy's spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi).
[48]
Captive spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) arm-raise to solicit allo ...
The efficacy of the arm-raise at soliciting allo-grooming suggests spider monkeys are capable of intentional communication. ... (Ateles geoffroyi) on display at ...
[49]
Gestural communication in wild spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi)
Mar 2, 2024 · Using vocalizations right before the gesture increased the probability of gesturing towards attentive recipients and of receiving a response, ...
[50]
a study of headshaking in black-handed spider monkeys ... - PubMed
To whom the play signal is directed: a study of headshaking in black-handed spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi). J Comp Psychol. 2011 Feb;125(1):1-10. doi ...
[51]
Self-anointing behavior in free-ranging spider monkeys ... - PubMed
... (Ateles geoffroyi). The animals used the leaves of three species of plants ... geoffroyi may play a role in the context of social communication, possibly for ...
[52]
Numerical cognition in black-handed spider monkeys (Ateles ...
We assessed two aspects of numerical cognition in a group of nine captive spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi). Petri dishes with varying amounts of food were ...
[53]
Serial visual reversal learning in captive black-handed spider ...
Aug 13, 2024 · The spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) is a highly frugivorous platyrrhine primate displaying strong fission-fusion dynamics (Gonzalez-Zamora et ...
[54]
Tool use in wild spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) - ResearchGate
Though relatively understudied with regard to cognition, spider monkeys have demonstrated route planning skills (Di Fiore and Suarez, 2007), perspective-taking ...
[55]
Manual Laterality in Spider Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) Solving ...
The purpose of this study was to assess the occurrence of manual laterality in Ateles geoffroyi and in particular to test the influence of visual and ...Missing: problem | Show results with:problem
[56]
[PDF] Individual variability in visual recognition memory of black-handed ...
Seven adult spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) solved a delayed match-to-sample task where they had to touch a list of picture samples with different lengths ...
[57]
the socio-ecology of social interactions between spider monkey males
Seasonal changes in socio-spatial structure in a group of free-living spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi). PLoS ONE 11, e0157228. ( 10.1371/journal.pone ...
[58]
Promiscuous mating with an aggregation of males by a female black ...
Aug 6, 2025 · Promiscuous mating with an aggregation of males by a female black handed spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) in northern Belize. January 2012 ...
[59]
Male mating tactics in spider monkeys: sneaking to compete
Jul 16, 2010 · I investigated the mating system and male mating tactics for a population of wild spider monkeys (Ateles belzebuth chamek), to identify the ...Missing: promiscuity | Show results with:promiscuity
[60]
Estimates of reproductive parameters of free-ranging Ateles geoffroyi
Aug 5, 2025 · Six and a half years of data collected on the reproductive parameters of a population of free-rangingAteles geoffroyi show the following ...Missing: parental care
[61]
[PDF] Characterization of Mother-Infant Relationship in Wild Geoffroy's ...
Key words: mother-infant relationships, spider monkeys, Ateles geoffroyi, behavioral development, life histories. ... Early infant development and maternal care ...
[62]
(PDF) Mother–Infant Relationships and Infant Independence in Wild ...
We studied mother-infant relationships and infant independence in wild Geoffroy's spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) during the first 3 years of infant life. We ...
[63]
Predation Attacks on Wild Spider Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) - PubMed
We report 2 cases of predation on an adult and a subadult spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) by a puma (Puma concolor) and an unidentified terrestrial predator.
[64]
Vigilance has mainly a social function in a wild group of spider ...
Oct 15, 2023 · We considered monkeys to be more vulnerable to predation when being lower in the canopy, because jaguars and pumas are the main predators of ...
[65]
Predation Attacks on Wild Spider Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi)
Sep 3, 2018 · In the protected area, terrestrial predators, such as pumas and jaguars, could prey upon spider monkeys, but there are no reports of potential ...
[66]
Mexican Spider Monkey, Ateles geoffroyi vellerosus
Farther south, beyond its eponymic country, this monkey is found in Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras. Spider monkeys occur in a variety of ...
[67]
Interspecific interaction and behavioral response to a semi-arboreal ...
This study presents a rare observation of a predator-prey interaction between a tayra (Eira barbara), a semi-arboreal predator, and a group of spider monkeys ( ...
[68]
Endocrine and behavioral responses to ecological and social ...
Our study aimed to examine the interaction between endocrine and behavioral responses to cope with naturally occurring challenges in wild Geoffroy's spider ...
[69]
(PDF) Seed dispersal by spider monkeys and its importance in the ...
Aug 9, 2025 · Ateles are considered ripe fruit specialists, and the diet of Ateles geoffroyi consists of approximately 80% fruit from as many as 364 plant ...
[70]
Spider Monkeys Rule the Roost: Ateline Sleeping Sites Influence ...
Dec 1, 2019 · Spider monkeys are important dispersers of many hardwood trees that contribute greatly to the carbon sequestration of tropical forests.
[71]
Contagious Deposition of Seeds in Spider Monkeys' Sleeping Trees ...
Feb 27, 2014 · We evaluated the seed rain produced by spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) ... seed dispersal models: Implications for seed shadows. Ecology ...
[72]
(PDF) Effectiveness of Spider Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi vellerosus ...
Aug 9, 2025 · Seed dispersal is considered a key process determining spatial structure and dynamics of plant populations, and has crucial implications for ...
[73]
Spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) as seed dispersers in continuous ...
Aug 6, 2009 · COS 97-5: Spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) as seed dispersers in continuous and fragmented rainforests in southern Mexico. Kathryn E. Stoner ...
[74]
Ateles geoffroyi Kuhl 1820 - Plazi TreatmentBank
Nov 29, 2024 · Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. Subspecies geoffroyi , azuerensis, and vellerosus are classified as Critically Endangered, ...
[75]
Conservation and research efforts for Geoffroy's spider monkey ...
Jun 1, 2023 · Population genetic patterns among social groups of the endangered Central American spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) in a human-dominated ...
[76]
AI Saves Endangered Spider Monkeys from Extinction - GreaterGood
Jan 3, 2025 · The study found that Geoffroy's spider monkeys avoid areas with less than 80% forest cover and remain distant from paved roads.
[77]
Endangered Species in Tortuguero National Park - Geoffroy's spider ...
Oct 21, 2020 · The Geoffroy's spider monkey is an endangered species according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Due to habitat loss and fragmentation, along with ...Missing: trends | Show results with:trends
[78]
Geoffroy's Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) Case Study
The Geoffroy's spider monkey is an arboreal species and needs large areas of primary forest. Fast deforestation rates and loss of suitable habitats are bringing ...
[79]
[PDF] Ateles geoffroyi, Geoffroy's Spider Monkey - IUCN Red List
Taxonomic Notes: The current taxonomy of Ateles geoffroyi is based on Kellogg and Goldman (1944), Rylands et al. 2006, and Morales-Jiménez et al. (2015).Missing: facts | Show results with:facts
[80]
About us - Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center - Zoave
Geoffrey's spider monkeys are the most endangered primates in Costa Rica. We have developed many highly successful soft-release practices that result in ...
[81]
Spider Monkey Program - Wildtracks
20 Geoffroy's spider monkeys have entered the Wildtracks Rehabilitation Centre, forming four cohesive troops, being prepared for release. Over the last five ...
[82]
Growth of a Reintroduced Spider Monkey ( Ateles geoffroyi ...
... Only five individuals, one male and four females survived, and only three females reproduced (Milton & Hopkins, 2006). They established a breeding ...
[83]
Species Reintroduction | Wild Sun Rescue
Looking to the future, we are working towards reintroducing Geoffroy's Spider Monkey, an endangered primate that has disappeared from this region of Costa Rica.Missing: protected | Show results with:protected
[84]
Conservation and research efforts for Geoffroy's spider monkey ...
Jun 6, 2025 · In this study we compared population density estimates of spider monkeys, Ateles geoffroyi, derived from four commonly used methods to the ...
[85]
Automated acoustic detection of Geoffroy's spider monkey highlights ...
Mar 15, 2023 · Geoffroy's spider monkey are found from south-eastern Mexico to north-western Colombia [35]. They are classified by the IUCN as Endangered ...
[86]
[PDF] 13 Spider monkey conservation in the twenty-first century
According to the IUCN categories assigned to subspecies in Table 13.1, the population trends for 8 out of 16 subspecies of Ateles have been shown to be in ...
[87]
AI-enhanced audio monitoring shows where monkeys won't go
Aug 29, 2023 · The study, led by Imperial College London researchers, showed that Geoffroy's spider monkeys in Costa Rica are not found in areas with less than 80% forest ...
[88]
AI-assisted wildlife surveillance is 'urgently needed,' new paper shows
Dec 23, 2024 · Lawson said using the audio monitors to capture the spider monkey's distinctive whinny enables biologists to study a larger area at lower ...Missing: 2020-2025 | Show results with:2020-2025
[89]
The Behavioral Responses of Geoffroy's Spider Monkeys to Drone ...
Here, we evaluated whether drone flights influenced the following spider monkey behaviors: agonistic displays, self-scratching, whinny vocalizations, feeding, ...
[90]
[PDF] Monitoring spider monkey populations over time
Nov 2, 2021 · We compared Geoffroy's spider monkey. (Ateles geoffroyi) population density estimates obtained in the Otoch Ma'ax yetel Kooh (OMYK) protected ...Missing: studies | Show results with:studies
[91]
Monkeys | Mesoamerican Cultures and their Histories - UO Blogs
Monkeys feature prominently in human creation stories of the Maya. The Howler Monkey and the Spider Monkey are key characters in the Popol Vuh.
[92]
Monkeys and the Ancient Maya - Punta Laguna
Aug 27, 2020 · Spider monkeys, by contrast, are often shown as silly and mischievous. Sometimes they are even depicted engaging in lewd or indecent behavior.
[93]
Earliest evidence of primate captivity and translocation supports gift ...
geoffroyi vellerosus) and the Yucatan spider monkey (A. geoffroyi yucatanesis) coincide with the Mesoamerican region (Fig. 1A). In the wild, spider monkeys ...
[94]
This 1,700-year-old sacrificial monkey has a surprising tale
Nov 21, 2022 · Monkey diplomacy. Spider monkeys, now an endangered species, were abundant in parts of the Maya world. The charismatic, playful animals were ...
[95]
Sacrificed monkey suggests peaceful ties between ancient ... - Science
Nov 21, 2022 · The bones belonged to some kind of monkey, animals that don't roam the arid region around Teotihuacan. Monkeys do clamber in trees of Maya ...
[96]
(PDF) Local Knowledge and Cultural Significance of Primates ...
In the studied communities, Alouatta pigra and Ateles geoffroyi obtained the 9th and 12th places, respectively, in the cultural significance valuation of 35 ...
[97]
The Primate Cultural Significance Index: applications with Popoluca ...
Oct 9, 2021 · ... (Ateles geoffroyi vellerosus) have historically coexisted with Popoluca Indigenous Peoples. This study sought to determine how the presence ...Missing: folklore | Show results with:folklore
[98]
Ateles Facts For Kids | AstroSafe Search - DIY.ORG
Cultural Significance. Spider monkeys have been admired by many cultures in Central and South America . ... Geoffroy's spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) in ...
[99]
[PDF] The Neotropical Bushmeat Crisis and its Impact on Primate ...
b) Hunting: The only primate species in El Salvador is the Geoffroy's spider monkey. (Ateles geoffroyi). Due to political upheaval, field studies ceased for ...
[100]
(PDF) Primates as pets in Mexico City: An assessment of the species ...
... pets. We surveyed 179 owners of primate pets, which included 12 primate species. Of these, three were native species (Ateles geoffroyi, Alouatta pigra, and A.<|separator|>
[101]
Investigating the Extent and Nature of the Primate Pet Trade on TikTok
All of the 17 spider monkeys were most likely Geoffroy's spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi). One macaque was identified as a long-tailed macaque (Macaca ...
[102]
(PDF) Spider Monkeys in Human-Modified Landscapes
Jul 28, 2017 · Crop damage by wildlife is a very prevalent form of human-wildlife conflict adjacent to protected areas, and great economic losses from crop ...
[103]
Spider Monkeys in Human-Modified Landscapes - BioOne Complete
Although there are some published reports of spider monkeys using food resources from the matrix, mostly in agricultural lands (Chaves et al., 2012; Estrada et ...