Lesser spot-nosed guenon, Lesser white-nosed guenon, Lesser white-nosed monkey , Lesser white-nosed monkey
The lesser spot-nosed monkey, lesser spot-nosed guenon, lesser white-nosed guenon, or lesser white-nosed monkey (Cercopithecus petaurista ) is a species of primate in the family Cercopithecidae. It is found in Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Togo, Guinea-Bissau, and possibly Senegal.
Lesser spot-nosed monkeys are small arboreal primates with a long tail. Their face is black with a white nose spot. A white stripe extends from the temple to below the ear. The crown, back, outer side of the limbs and upper surface of the tail are olive-green or khaki. In some forms, the middle and lower back have a reddish tinge. The individual hairs, especially on the crown, are flecked with black and yellow. The underparts, inner side of the limbs and underside of the tail are white or cream.
Lesser spot-nosed monkeys are found in West Africa. Their range includes Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, and in southeastern Senegal. These monkeys are very adaptable and live in different habitats including primary and secondary forest, gallery forest, regenerating felled areas, coastal scrubland, bushy areas among farmland, and cultivated fields.
Lesser spot-nosed monkeys are diurnal, arboreal and cryptic creatures. Being active during the day they move through the forest cautiously, seldom climbing to the high canopy. They prefer the understorey layers and lianas. Lesser spot-nosed monkeys are very social animals. They form groups of about ten animals that usually consist of one adult male, several adult females and their young. When foraging these monkeys often store their food in cheek pouches. When the pouches are full they become prominent and the white throat of the monkey resembles a snowball.
Lesser spot-nosed monkeys are omnivorous animals. They feed on leaves, fruit, flowers and insects.
Little is known about the mating system and reproduction of Lesser spot-nosed monkeys. These animals don't breed seasonally. Females give birth to a single infant that weighs around 230 g at birth. The gestation period lasts about seven months.
There are no major threats to Lesser spot-nosed monkeys. Some areas of forest in which these monkeys live are being degraded but they are tolerant of the disturbance. They may also be hunted for bushmeat in some areas.
According to IUCN, the Lesser spot-nosed monkey is locally common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.
Due to their frugivorous diet, Lesser spot-nosed monkeys are likely to act as seed dispersers of their range. Additionally, they are prey items for some local predators.
