Special Sub-Topic: Primatology Click Here To Play: Primatology

Which monkey is known as the only truly nocturnal monkey?

owl monkey. As its name indicates, the owl monkey has large owl-like eyes, typical of nocturnal animals. While many prosimian species are nocturnal, this is the only species of monkey (or ape) that is.

What is the scientific name for the Verreaux's Sifaka?

Propithicus verreauxi. Sifakas are lemurs and are arboreal. They have long, powerful hind legs for jumping from tree to tree. When they do venture down to the ground, they spring along in a gallop-like leap with their front legs held up above their heads.

Capuchin monkeys are also known as what?

organ-grinder monkeys. Capuchins are one of the smartest monkeys and are often used in films and TV shows because of their high inteligence (and trainability). The films "Monkey Shines" and "Monkey Trouble", as well as the TV show "Friends" all featured these little actors.

What is the genus name for the capuchin monkey?

Cebus. Callicebus is the genus name of the titi monkey. Aotus is the owl monkey. And Alouatta is the genus of howler monkeys.

Which of the following is not a prosimian?

marmoset. Marmosets are monkeys that live in South America. Aye-ayes and indris are types of lemurs, and pottos are a type of loris.

In the movie Outbreak, a monkey from Africa starts a virulent epidemic in the US. For people who know a little primatology, the movie-makers made a laughable mistake, because they used a monkey that is ONLY native to South America. Which monkey did they use?

capuchin monkey. Even if you didn't see the movie, the capuchin monkey is the only of the four choices native to South America.

What is the scientific name of the Japanese macaque (aka, "snow monkey")?

Macaca fuscata. Macaca mulata is the scientific name for the rhesus macaque (aka "rhesus monkey). I made up the other two.

The family Cercopithecidae ("Old World monkeys") is divided into two sub-families. One is Cercopithecinae; what is the other?

Colobinae. Pithinae, Atelinae, and Cebinae are names of sub-families of New World monkeys.

Which of these is NOT a member of the sub-family Cercopithecinae?

colobus monkey. The colobus monkey is not a cercopithecine; it is a colobine. Colobines are leaf-eaters (the langur is another example) and are generally more arboreal than cercopithecines (baboons and macaques are the best examples of this group). Colobines have specially-developed stomachs and intestines for digesting leaves.

What is the scientific name for the bonobo?

Pan paniscus. Pongo pygmaeus is the scientific name for the orang-utan.

Which of these do not have ischial callosities?

spider monkeys. Ischial callosities are tough, hairless pads of callus on the rumps of Old World monkeys. Gibbons also have them. Spider monkeys, being New World monkeys, do not.

Which of the following types of primate are typically monogamous?

gibbons. Gibbons typically mate for life, although just like another "monogomous" primate we all know, they have been witnessed engaging in "adultry".

Which of the following genera of monkeys does NOT have a prehensile tail?

Saimiri. Saimiri is the genus for the squirrel monkey. Ateles are spider monkeys, Brachyteles are wooly monkeys, and Lagothrix are wooly spider monkeys.

What is the genus of the "bald-headed" monkey, the Uakari?

Cacajao. Pithecia is the genus of the saki monkey. The other two are not primate genera.