Question

1. Suborder and infraorder of Kikuyu Colobus monkey

2. Social Organization (How is this species socially organized? Use term like nuclear fission/fusion, uni-male.multimale

3. Mating Strategy (monogamous, poly gamous)

4. Intermembral index of Kikuyu Colobus monkey

5. Three Unique Facts

Answer 1

1. For Kikuyu Colobus monkey , the taxonomy places it in :

Suborder	-Haplorrhini
Infraorder	-Simiiformes

2. A fission–fusion society is one in which the size and composition of the social group change as time passes and animals move throughout the environment. Animals merge into a group (fusion)—e.g. sleeping in one place—or split (fission)—e.g. foraging in small groups during the day. For species that live in fission–fusion societies, group composition is a dynamic property.

The Kikuyu colobus live in small groups usually with only one male. They form polygamous ( unimale-multifemale) social groups.The groups have between three and fifteen members. There are also bachelor groups. When two groups meet they display both visually and vocally and in the evening and at dawn adult males roar loudly which helps keep distances between different groups. Colobus monkeys live in troops of about 5 to 10 animals—a dominant male, several females, and their young. Stress is a factor in their community when the adult male leaves the group or is killed. Males then have to leave the group when they reach maturity and they search for another group and try to replace the dominant male.

Sometimes several males are present in mixed groups, but only temporarily. The fixed core of the mixed group consists of the females, who remain in the group of their birth for life. These females are thought to be close relatives that display their friendly intragroup relationships, marked by mutual grooming and well-developed "infant transfer".

Each troop has a well-defined territory, which is defended from other groups. Adult troop members, especially males, make croaking roars that can be heard resonating throughout the forest. Despite their territorial nature, fighting over mates rarely occurs. The colobus life span appears to be around twenty years. All females in the group take care of the babies, even younger females, which prepares them for the future when they have their own children.

3.Colobus monkeys practice polygamy. Females retreat with a male just prior to giving birth and return shortly thereafter. Infants are carried on the abdomen with the young clinging to the mother's sides.

4. The Colobus monkey has an intermembral index in the 50-105 range.

5. Three unique facts about colubus monnkeys include :

1. The word colobus is means "mutilated". They are named so because they only have a small nub where the thumb should be. They have four extra long fingers that are used to wrap around branched like a hook. A normal thumb would hinder this activity, and thereby reduce their chances of survival.

2. A young colobus baby is completely white with a pink face. When it gets older the colour and texture of the fur transforms to a thick, glossy, black and white coat. Their faces are void of hair but are surrounded by white fur. Thus it appears as it they are wearing a cap, which is actually black fur.

3. They are leaf-eating primates having a ruminant-like digestive system, which allows them to occupy and survive in areas other primates cannot. They also have a tuft of white fur at the end of their tails which helps in classifying them and are also known for these long fluffy tails.