TUFTED CAPUCHIN
Sapajus apella
Geographic Distribution and Habitat
Also known as Margarita Island capuchins, black-capped capuchins, and Guianan brown capuchins, the tufted capuchin is a New World monkey that is widespread across several South American countries including Bolivia, Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
They inhabit almost every kind of forest in the neotropics—including tropical lowlands, submontane, montane rainforest, seasonally inundated forest, mangrove, and savanna forests—and are found predominantly in the lower and middle canopies.
As of 2012, capuchins are divided into two categories: gracile capuchins and robust capuchins. Robust capuchins are, as the name implies, more sturdily built than gracile capuchins. Their limbs are proportionally shorter, and their canine teeth are shorter and thicker. All capuchins used to be categorized under the genus Cebus—robust capuchins all fell under the umbrella of Cebus apella; now, robust or “tufted” capuchins are taxonomically classified under the genus Sapajus.
Also known as Margarita Island capuchins, black-capped capuchins, and Guianan brown capuchins, the tufted capuchin is a New World monkey that is widespread across several South American countries including Bolivia, Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
They inhabit almost every kind of forest in the neotropics—including tropical lowlands, submontane, montane rainforest, seasonally inundated forest, mangrove, and savanna forests—and are found predominantly in the lower and middle canopies.
As of 2012, capuchins are divided into two categories: gracile capuchins and robust capuchins. Robust capuchins are, as the name implies, more sturdily built than gracile capuchins. Their limbs are proportionally shorter, and their canine teeth are shorter and thicker. All capuchins used to be categorized under the genus Cebus—robust capuchins all fell under the umbrella of Cebus apella; now, robust or “tufted” capuchins are taxonomically classified under the genus Sapajus.
Taxonomy in Transition
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) revealed in its July 2020 updates of the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species that evolutionary analyses of the Sapajus genus conducted in 2017 and 2018 lumped several previously-considered species together as a single widespread lineage. Those previously considered separate capuchin species are Azaras's capuchin (S. cay), the bearded capuchin (S. libidinosus), the tufted capuchin (S. apella), the large-headed capuchin (S. macrocephalus), and the blond capuchin (S. flavius).
It is important to note that, for conservation purposes, the IUCN has opted to treat separately the Azaras's capuchin (S. cay) (LC), the bearded capuchin (S. libidinosus) (VU), and the blond capuchin (S. flavius) (CR). The justification is that they each bears distinct external characteristics, they occur in regions with distinct flora and fauna, they occupy distinct adaptive zones, and they each have their particular conservation issues and threats.
However, the large-headed capuchin is now considered to be synonymous with the tufted capuchin (S. apella).
It is important to note that, for conservation purposes, the IUCN has opted to treat separately the Azaras's capuchin (S. cay) (LC), the bearded capuchin (S. libidinosus) (VU), and the blond capuchin (S. flavius) (CR). The justification is that they each bears distinct external characteristics, they occur in regions with distinct flora and fauna, they occupy distinct adaptive zones, and they each have their particular conservation issues and threats.
However, the large-headed capuchin is now considered to be synonymous with the tufted capuchin (S. apella).
Tufted capuchin geographic range. Map credit: IUCN. 2018
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Tufted capuchin geographic range map, IUCN, 2020, with all synonymous species and subspecies included.
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Size, Weight, and Lifespan
The average size of a male is larger than that of its female counterpart, making them a sexually dimorphic species. Male tooth size is 22% larger than female tooth size. Males also outweigh females; the average male weight is 8 lbs (3.65 kg) and females average 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) each. Tufted capuchins are notably heavier in captivity versus in the wild, with males averaging 13 lbs (6.1 kg) and females averaging 7 lbs (3.19 kg). Head-to-body length is approximately 17 in (44 cm) for males and 15 in (39 cm) for females. The oldest tufted capuchin was held in captivity and survived for a whopping 45 years. Appearance
Tufted capuchins vary in color from light mustard to dark brown, and have a very distinct head coloration. They get their name from the tufts of dark hair nestled above their ears, and have either a black or brown “cap” of hair with darker sideburns. The hair on their faces ranges in shades of pink and brown. Their shoulders and bellies are generally a lighter brown, and the remaining pelage—including their hands, legs, and tail—is usually a much darker hue. Males also tend to have darker facial hair than females. Like most New World primates, these creatures have a strong prehensile tail, which typically curves downward behind them and aids in controlling their movement. 
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What Does It Mean?Alloparent:
An individual other than the biological parent of an offspring that performs the functions of a parent (as by temporarily caring for an infant). Dorsal: Of, on, or relating to the upper side or back of an animal, plant, or organ. Montane Forest: Relating to a mountainous region of relatively moist, cool upland slopes below timberline dominated by large coniferous (evergreen) trees. Neotropic: Relating to or constituting the tropical New World biogeographic region that extends south, east, and west from the central plateau of Mexico. Pelage: The fur, hair, or wool of a mammal. Submontane Forest: A forest that is situated at the foothills or lower elevation slopes of a mountainous region. Sympatric: Occurring or living in the same area; over lapping in distribution. |
Diet
Being omnivorous, the diet of the tufted capuchin relies heavily upon eggs, insects, pith, small mammals, birds, squirrels, small reptiles, nuts, and nectar. The depth of their lower jaw, coupled with their large jaw muscles, allows them to eat a wide range of rough vegetation throughout the different forest types in which they dwell.
In addition to other small mammals, tufted capuchins are a confirmed predator of the titi monkey, and have been observed killing and consuming titi monkey’s infants.
Their diet varies based on availability of food resources in the region that they are in. Primates that live in parts of Suriname rely more upon insects and fruits, while in other parts of the Amazon, more plants and animal matter are consumed.
Being omnivorous, the diet of the tufted capuchin relies heavily upon eggs, insects, pith, small mammals, birds, squirrels, small reptiles, nuts, and nectar. The depth of their lower jaw, coupled with their large jaw muscles, allows them to eat a wide range of rough vegetation throughout the different forest types in which they dwell.
In addition to other small mammals, tufted capuchins are a confirmed predator of the titi monkey, and have been observed killing and consuming titi monkey’s infants.
Their diet varies based on availability of food resources in the region that they are in. Primates that live in parts of Suriname rely more upon insects and fruits, while in other parts of the Amazon, more plants and animal matter are consumed.
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Behavior and Lifestyle
Daily movements and activities of tufted capuchin groups are dictated by the alpha male. They are diurnal, and their days are spent feeding (66% of the time), traveling (21%) and resting (12%). During the wet season, they tend to rest more and travel around less when there is a greater abundance of fruit and other resources. Since dry season produces far less fruit, time spent foraging the forest for insects increases drastically. They are arboreal monkeys that move through the trees in a quadrupedal (on all fours limbs) motion. An intelligent species, tufted capuchins are known to be capable of using tools such as stones and branches to open hard nuts. They have also been observed smashing hard to open fruit against trees or other surfaces to get inside. Some primatologists suggest that tool usage comes into play when there is a lack of food resources, forcing them to descend to the ground in search of food. Children will often mimic adults, suggesting that tool usage is a learned trait picked up through generations. Daily Life and Group Dynamics
Tufted capuchins are social creatures that live in sympatry, or among other primate species, and it is highly unlikely to find them as the only primate species in their habitats. Some other primates that they have been observed sharing a home range with include tamarins, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, and squirrel monkeys. |
Fun FactsExplorers named the capuchin monkey after a group of friars known as the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. These monks wear large brown robes and brown hoods that resemble the color scheme of the capuchin monkey. Some female capuchins have been observed throwing rocks at males in order to garner their attention for intimacy. Tufted capuchin monkeys skillfully use tools to crack open hard nuts. |
Communication
Tufted capuchins communicate mainly through olfactory (scent marking) and acoustic (vocalizations) means.
They cover themselves in urine, which is a way to attract mates and possibly minimize stress levels. Scent marking also helps them to distinguish between different groups within the same vicinity.
Various types of vocalizations are used to signify different things. Vocalizations are used to warn others to watch out for predators, find lost individuals that were separated from the group, assert aggressiveness, and more.
Males, upon reconnecting with one another, quickly embrace and loudly vocalize together. Females, however, do not exhibit this form of behavior with each other.
Females attempting to attract male attention use tactics like looking back over their shoulders and opening their thighs.
Tufted capuchins communicate mainly through olfactory (scent marking) and acoustic (vocalizations) means.
They cover themselves in urine, which is a way to attract mates and possibly minimize stress levels. Scent marking also helps them to distinguish between different groups within the same vicinity.
Various types of vocalizations are used to signify different things. Vocalizations are used to warn others to watch out for predators, find lost individuals that were separated from the group, assert aggressiveness, and more.
Males, upon reconnecting with one another, quickly embrace and loudly vocalize together. Females, however, do not exhibit this form of behavior with each other.
Females attempting to attract male attention use tactics like looking back over their shoulders and opening their thighs.
Reproduction and Family
Being in estrus for an approximate 21 days has an interesting effect on females. They become skittish and continuously walk around whining and whistling. They will follow males around and actively solicit them until they become receptive.
Sexual maturation is reached around 7 years of age for males, and 4 for females. While there is not a clearly defined breeding season in this species, most births occur during the dry season or early rainy season.
The average gestation period lasts for about 150-160 days, resulting in the birth of a single offspring. Infants cling dorsally to their mothers and do not move around without her. After around 4 weeks of age, the infant will spend a large amount of time with alloparents, or other individuals that resemble a parental figure, outside of the immediate family. This signifies a strong sense of community among tufted capuchin groups.
Being in estrus for an approximate 21 days has an interesting effect on females. They become skittish and continuously walk around whining and whistling. They will follow males around and actively solicit them until they become receptive.
Sexual maturation is reached around 7 years of age for males, and 4 for females. While there is not a clearly defined breeding season in this species, most births occur during the dry season or early rainy season.
The average gestation period lasts for about 150-160 days, resulting in the birth of a single offspring. Infants cling dorsally to their mothers and do not move around without her. After around 4 weeks of age, the infant will spend a large amount of time with alloparents, or other individuals that resemble a parental figure, outside of the immediate family. This signifies a strong sense of community among tufted capuchin groups.
G uyanan brown capuchin (Sapajus apella apella) in French Guyana. Photo credit: Sean McCann/Creative Commons
Ecological Role
With their ability to smash open fruit with and against objects, tufted capuchins play an important ecological role by dispersing the seeds of fruit that other species cannot break apart.
With their ability to smash open fruit with and against objects, tufted capuchins play an important ecological role by dispersing the seeds of fruit that other species cannot break apart.
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Conservation Status and Threats
The tufted capuchin is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN, 2020), appearing on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Since they are widespread in their range, it is estimated that threats to the species will not result in immediate drastic population loss.
They are hunted for food in some regions, and suffer considerable threat from illegal capture for the pet trade. The greatest threat to to all primate species in their region is habitat loss and fragmentation. An increasing number of infrastructure developments in the Amazonian regions, as well as the soaring demand for coffee and eucalyptus, contribute to this habitat loss. Natural predators include the harpy eagle, pumas, jaguars, snakes, coyotes, and crocodiles, among others. |
Conservation Efforts
The tufted capuchin is listed in Appendix II of Convention of International Trade in Endangered species (CITES). To protect this beautiful, intelligent species, there are several conservation organizations dedicated to their safety and protection. Some organizations include Centro de Rescate y Rehabilitacion de Primates, Inti Wara Yass, Israeli Primate Sanctuary, Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, Rimrock Rach Wildlife Conservancy, Animal Sanctuary of the United States-Wild Animal Orphanage, and the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Inc.
The tufted capuchin is listed in Appendix II of Convention of International Trade in Endangered species (CITES). To protect this beautiful, intelligent species, there are several conservation organizations dedicated to their safety and protection. Some organizations include Centro de Rescate y Rehabilitacion de Primates, Inti Wara Yass, Israeli Primate Sanctuary, Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, Rimrock Rach Wildlife Conservancy, Animal Sanctuary of the United States-Wild Animal Orphanage, and the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Inc.
References:
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/39949/0
- http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Cebus_apella/
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Tufted_Capuchin
- https://anthropology.ua.edu/blogs/ant312/2013/09/30/tufted-capuchins/
- http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/tufted_capuchin/cons
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7958685_Predation_of_an_Infant_Titi_Monkey_Callicebus_moloch_by_a_Tufted_Capuchin_Cebus_apella
- https://www.britannica.com/animal/capuchin-monkey
- http://mentalfloss.com/article/85646/11-mischievous-facts-about-capuchin-monkeys
Written by Nina Shangari, March 2018. Geographic distribution updated July 2020.
