Ecology

The talapoin monkey is a frugivorous species, although arthropods also make up a large part of the diet. Among the arthropods eaten are moths, spiders, and freshwater shrimp. This species will consume insects from the orders Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, and Coleoptera (Rowe, 1996). In Cameroon it was observed that this species consumes figs, Ficus sp. (Breitwisch, 1983). Because of its small size the talapoin monkey does not consume a large amount of flowers or leaves. Group sizes can be from 70 to 100 individuals. The groups split up to form same sex foraging groups that forage for insects. In this species members of the group tend to be engaged in the same activity at the same time (Wolfheim and Rowell, 1972). The talapoin monkey is a diurnal and an arboreal species. This species sleeps in trees near rivers or in swamps, and when threatened by a predator will drop in the water and swim away (Rowell, 1973). During the night the subgroups break and form sleeping associations of 3 to 4 individuals, then in the morning these sleeping associations come together to reform the subgroups (Rowell, 1973). During the middle of the day, when the group rests, the adult females and young rest in the center of the group while the males and juveniles rest in positions on the periphery (Gautier-Hion, 1970).

Last Updated: October 15, 2003.
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