This Fridays late endangered species article focuses on a species of South American monkey within the (new world) species. Incredible how little documentation there is on this species, even though its been around since the 1800s. Scientifically identified as Cacajao calvus its commonly known as the (Bald-headed Uacari, Bald Uakari, Red-and-white Uacari or Red Uakari). Most people within its natural habitat call it the Bald headed Uakari. Bald headed Uakari was identified by Parisian Dr Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire (16 December 1805 – 10 November 1861) was a French zoologist and an authority on deviation from normal structure. In 1854 he coined the term éthologie (ethology). Four other recognized sub-species are; White bald-headed uakari, Cacajao calvus calvus Ucayali bald-headed uakari, Cacajao calvus ucayalii Red bald-headed uakari, Cacajao calvus rubicundus Novaes bald-headed uakari, Cacajao calvus novaesi Primary species and all sub-species of the Cacajao are considered threatened by humans and the bush-meat trade within their entire range. From 1982-1990 the Cacajao calvus was listed as vulnerable. The species then took a drastic population decline of which was then listed as endangered in 1994. From 1996-2000 conservation efforts brought populations back up and dangers down if which saw the species re-listed again as vulnerable. From 2003 conservation efforts again helped increase species populations and decrease threats that saw the species re-listed as near threatened. Unfortunately due to human greed and increased bush meat trade populations have again declined quite rapidly. Today the species is classified as vulnerable as too are all four sub-species. C. calvus is now known to be completely extinct within one of its endemic countries being that of Columbia. However fortunately still extant within Peru and Brazil from which its endemic too. Bald-headed Uacaris are habitat specialists that are limited primarily to white-water várzea habitats. In addition to their ecological range restrictions, their distribution along rivers makes them relatively more vulnerable to human impact. They are highly specialized seed predators, with immature seeds and fruits comprising the bulk of the diet. Uacaris live in large multi-male, multi-female groups with a fission-fusion social organization. Specialist habitat and feeding requirements may mean greater sensitivity to habitat modification. While other pitheciines (Chiropotes and Pithecia) have demonstrated a degree of tolerance and adaptability in the face of habitat disturbance, the capacity of uacaris to cope with anthropogenic disturbance is unknown. Threats are quite large to all species of the Cacajao. Listed on Cites Appendix I - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species Wild Flora and Fauna. The major threats to this species include forest loss and hunting. The distribution along rivers may make this taxon relatively more vulnerable to human impact, while specialist habitat and feeding requirements may result in greater sensitivity to habitat disturbance. Cacajao c. calvus: Although this subspecies is rarely hunted in its range because its appearance is considered too human-like, the main threat facing this primate is the reduction and transformation of its flooded forest habitat. The main forms of deforestation in the area, are small-scale agriculture and logging. Current data indicate that almost the entire (confirmed) population are included within the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve and population densities appear to have increased in the 20 years up to 2005. Cacajao c. rubicundus: This species is hunted for food. It may be affected by habitat loss due to logging and forest loss especially along the main stream of the Amazon. Cacajao c. ucayalii: Surveys conducted between 1979 and 1986 showed that the range was much reduced, hunting having exterminated the species in several areas. Primate researcher Dr Aquino suggests that populations close to the Ucayali and Amazon Rivers have been greatly reduced and in some areas exterminated, caused by hunting and habitat disturbance. The Yavarí River and its tributary the Yaquerana represent the stronghold for remaining populations. Close to Iquitos, Mauritia flexuosa is extracted in large quantities by felling the palms; the unsustainable extraction of this resource may have an impact on Cacajao c. ucayalii in some areas. Logging concessions designated in 2004 cover around one-third of the geographic range of Cacajao c. ucayalii. While the selective removal of low-density, high-value timber species does not appear likely to have a great impact on populations of Cacajao c. ucayalii, the logging operations increase human populations and bushmeat hunting in remote parts of the range. Hunting levels on the Yavarí-Mirín and Yavarí have increased since 2004, when human populations increased due to logging activities. Dr Bodmer found that more wild meat was consumed per capita in a commercial forest concession on the Yavarí than in the nearby rural communities. Cacajao c. novaesi: This subspecies is affected to some degree by hunting and the exploitation of natural resources within the two extractive reserves where it occurs. Thanks for reading and please share to create awareness. Did you know the Bald Headed uacari head is read because of its blood vessels being so close to the skin of its head.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Nov 2014 03:07:34 +0000
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