Mandrill characteristics, habitat, reproduction, behavior

1198
Basil Manning
Mandrill characteristics, habitat, reproduction, behavior

The chuck (Mandrillus sphinx) is a primate that lives in southern Cameroon, in Gabon, the Congo and in Equatorial Guinea. Its main characteristic is the great color of its fur, the body being gray to dark brown, contrasting with the white of its ventral area. It has a blue or lilac rump and pink ischial calluses. As for the anogenital area, it can present red, blue, scarlet and purple colors.

On the face of the mandrill there is a red stripe that runs vertically along its long snout. Furthermore, the nostrils and lips are also red. It has a kind of beard that is yellow in the female and orange in the male. These colorations are more intense in males, turning bright in the reproductive season. For its part, the female has more opaque tones.

Chuck. Source: ((brian)) from Sebastopol, CA, USA [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]

In the Mandrillus sphinx sexual dimorphism is very marked, especially in relation to size. The male can weigh up to three times more than the female. In nature, adult males weighing up to 54 kilograms, with an approximate height of 95 centimeters, have been found.

Article index

  • 1 Features
    • 1.1 Coloring
    • 1.2 Face
    • 1.3 Size
    • 1.4 Body
    • 1.5 Locomotion
    • 1.6 Head
  • 2 Communication
    • 2.1 Vocalizations
  • 3 Taxonomy
  • 4 Habitat and distribution
    • 4.1 Distribution
    • 4.2 Habitat
    • 4.3 Use of space
  • 5 Conservation status
    • 5.1 - Threats
    • 5.2 - Conservation actions
  • 6 Playback
    • 6.1 Mating
    • 6.2 The breeding
  • 7 Food
    • 7.1 Diet
    • 7.2 Seasonal variations
  • 8 Behavior
    • 8.1 Interrelations
  • 9 References 

Characteristics

Coloration

The coat varies from dark brown to charcoal gray, and may have black and yellow bands. In contrast, the ventral region is white.

One aspect that characterizes this primate is the rump. This one is naked and is bright blue or purple. Towards the sides of her pelvis she has ischial calluses, which are pale pink in color..

In relation to the genital area of ​​the male, the penis is red and the scrotum has a lilac color. Around the anus it can have several shades, among which are blue, pink, red, purple and scarlet.

Expensive

Mandrillus sphinx in Berlin zoo. William Warby [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]

As for the face, it is hairless and the muzzle is elongated, with a vertical red stripe in the center. On the sides of this structure, towards the upper area, it has swollen blue ridges..

The area that borders the nostrils and the lips are red. In youngsters and females, these tones are more opaque. On the contrary, in dominant adult males the coloration is more intense.

This animal has a group of hairs at the end of the lower jaw, similar to a beard. In the male it is orange, while the female has it yellowish.

Size

In the baboon, the sexual dimorphism is well marked. The male can weigh up to three times the female. Thus, it can have a muscle mass between 10 and 15 kilograms and its body is generally 55 and 66 centimeters long.

As for the male, it could weigh between 19 and 37 kilograms, although there are records of up to 54 kilograms. The total length of this animal, not counting the tail, is approximately 75 to 95 centimeters. Both sexes have a short tail, measuring between 5 and 10 centimeters.

Body

Baboon in Ueckermünde zoo. I, Pkuczynski [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)]

The Mandrillus sphinx he has a muscular and compact body. Its limbs are powerful, the front ones are usually longer than the back ones. As for the tail, it is short and generally has an upright position..

On each leg they have five long fingers, the thumbs of which are opposite. This allows the mandrill to grab the branch of the trees to move or to obtain its food, among other things.

Thus, the primate can accurately collect objects as small as seeds, or larger, as in the case of fruits. Also, he could roll the rocks over to find some food..

On the chest, the Mandrillus sphinx it has a thoracic or sternal gland, which is used in olfactory communication. Although this is present in both sexes, in the adult male it is more prominent.

Locomotion

The clavicles of this primate have a wide range of rotation. This enables the animal to function effectively in the forelimbs. In addition, it makes it easier to walk in a quadruped way and climb the branches of the trees.

When it moves on land, it does so by means of digital quadrupedism, while in trees it frequently uses lateral jumps. When walking, it does so in such a way that the soles and palms of the legs do not touch the ground. Therefore, use only your fingers to perform this scrolling..

Head

Mandrill skull. Jebulon [CC0]

The head of the mandrill may look somewhat large, compared to the dimensions of its body. The eyes are small and sunken.

In relation to the jaws, they house large and prominent canine teeth. In the male they measure around 4.5 centimeters, while in the female they reach 1 centimeter in length.

In the adult, the size of the canines is closely related to reproductive success. According to studies carried out, the male begins its reproductive stage when its fangs measure more than 30 millimeters. In addition, these teeth suffer wear and tear as the primate ages..

Due to this morphological change suffered by the tusks, the reproductive opportunities of the older males of the group are restricted.

The chuck has a pocket on each cheek, which extends to the sides of the neck. In this, the primate can store food and consume it later. To extract food, they use the long toes of their front legs.

Communication

I, Malene [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)]

The mandrill has a wide range of vocalizations, facial and body expressions, which it uses to communicate.

One of the best known exhibits of this species is the smiling face. In this, the primate exposes all of its teeth, when it turns its lips upwards. At the same time he raises his head back and shakes it. Although it may seem an aggressive expression, experts interpret it as conciliatory.

Another of the gestures it uses is yawning, generally performed by the adult mandrill. It consists of fully opening the mouth, showing its large canines. Usually this expression is used before a rival group or in the presence of a predator.

When the Mandrillus sphinx wishes to threaten another male in the group, moves quickly in a quadruped manner towards it, but without touching him.

Social grooming is a way of communicating in a tactile way. During this cleaning activity, the baboon scavenges the fur of another primate of the same species, using its tongue, lips and / or fingers. This usually happens frequently among adult females.

However, during heat, the male and female usually groom each other as part of the mating ritual..

Vocalizations

Vocalizations can be divided into short distance calls and long distance calls. Among the latter are the two-phase grunt, the song and the roar. As for the short calls, they include the yak, the scream, the growl and the alarm.

In relation to the 2-phase growl, it is the vocalization that the baboon emits most frequently, despite the fact that it is performed exclusively by the adult male. This sound, like the song, is often used to provide information regarding the location of the members of the horde..

Faced with females in heat, males continually vocalize grunts. In the same way, they emit threatening grunts to other males, when they enter their territories..

Taxonomy

-Animal Kingdom.

-Subkingdom: Bilateria.

-Phylum: Chordate.

-Subfilum: Vertebrate.

-Superclass: Tetrapoda.

-Class: Mammal.

-Subclass: Theria.

-Infraclass: Eutheria.

-Order: Primates.

-Suborder: Haplorrhini.

-Superfamily: Cercopithecoidea.

-Family: Cercopithecidae.

-Subfamily: Cercopithecinae.

-Tribe: Papionini.

-Genus: Mandrillus.

-Species: Mandrillus sphinx.

Habitat and distribution

Distribution

This species is distributed in the west-central region of Africa, west of Gabon and south of the Sanaga River, in Cameroon. It also inhabits continental Equatorial Guinea and southwestern Congo, including the Kouilou and Congo rivers..

It is not known to inhabit the forests of southeastern Cameroon or the Congo and Dja rivers. In relation to the natural limits of this species, to the east, are the Ivindo and Ogooué rivers, in Gabon, and in the north it is the Sanaga river.

On the other hand, experts point out that the Ogooué River divides the populations in two. So there is the one from the north of Gabon and Cameroon and the one from the south of Gabon.

As a result of the research carried out in both communities, it has been shown that the baboons that live north and south of the Ogooué River are genetically different.

Habitat

The mandrill is found in the evergreen rainforest, extending between 100 and 300 kilometers, from the Atlantic coast. Within this ecosystem, the semi-deciduous tropical forest and the primary and secondary tropical forest are included, with dense vegetation.

Similarly, it lives in dense secondary forests, in savanna forests and in montane forests. Other favorite habitats are gallery, riparian, floodplain, and rocky forests. Also, it could be located in cultivated areas and in the bed of streams.

Use of space

Scientists have established that most primates' use of space is determined by the size of the home range and their group mass. However, baboons have a larger group mass than that of the species that were considered to generate this relationship..

This led to the realization of a research work, where specialists studied a horde of 700 wild baboons, in the Lopé National Park, in Gabon..

The group of primates used an area of ​​182 km2, inhabiting some areas of isolated forests, with a great botanical diversity. Also, it inhabited gallery forests, but avoided the swamp and savanna.

The dimensions of the household range and its internal structure had considerable variations annually. Even though the mass of the horde of the Mandrillus sphinx is an outlier, the total range was adjusted to the originally intended ratio.

State of conservation

The diverse populations of the mandrill are being threatened by several factors, among which is the fragmentation of their habitat. This situation puts the survival of this species at risk, which is why the IUCN has categorized it as vulnerable to extinction.

- Threats

Habitat destruction

Man cuts and deforests forests to build urban settlements, agricultural and grazing areas. In addition, the construction of roads can be an isolating element for populations, coupled with altering the ecology of the habitat..

Hunting

The main threat of the mandrill is hunting. This is done with the intention of marketing their meat, both in local and regional markets..

Hunters represent a serious threat to populations that are close to towns and highways. In addition, the fact that this primate emits a loud call, makes them more vulnerable to being located in the forest..

The capture of Mandrillus sphinx It could be biased towards the adult male, since its size is much larger than that of the female. As a consequence, reproductive and social dynamics are affected.

- Conservation actions

The mandrill is listed in Appendix I of CITES. In addition, in some of the regions where it lives, there are protected areas. Such is the case of the Lope National Park, in Gabon. However, other areas need protection, both legal and control against hunting and deforestation..

In Gabon, several reintroduction projects have been carried out. Thanks to the success of these actions, the organizations are studying the possibility of putting into practice new reintroduction plans for this species in other regions..

Reproduction

The female reaches sexual maturity between 4 and 5 years and her first offspring occurs at the age of 4 to 8 years. As for the male, it can reproduce at approximately 9 years.

The estrous cycle lasts between 35 and 38 days. In this period, the external sexual organs of the female swell, indicating that she is ready to mate. In the male, the increase in testosterone levels causes the colors to be much brighter. In this way he is more attractive to the female.

For this reason, the tones of the rump, face and genitals are intensified. In addition, the testicular volume increases and there is increased secretion from the sternal skin gland. If the alpha male loses his hierarchy, his colors become paler.

In addition, the larger the fangs of the male mandrill, the greater the probability of their reproductive success..

Mating

The mating system of the Mandrillus sphinx is polygamist. Some research indicates that males fight each other to earn the right to mate. The data from the studies indicate that about two-thirds of the offspring were sired by the dominant males.

The one with the highest hierarchy of the harem protects the females. When they are in heat, it joins in a random way. At the end of the mating period, the adult males could leave the group, returning to it at the beginning of the next reproductive season..

Reproduction in the mandrill depends on the abundance of food. Likewise, it generally occurs every 2 years, usually between July and October..

During copulation, the couple assumes a dorso-ventral position. The male positions himself behind the female, with the forelimbs supporting her pelvis. As for the gestation time, it is approximately 6 to 7 months.

The brood

Chuck drink. belgianchocolate from antwerpen, belgium, België, Belgique [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]

At birth, the calf weighs between 500 grams and 1000 grams. His face is pink, while the upper part is black. Its body is white or gray and the limbs have a bluish hue.

When the youngster is two months old, his hair already has the characteristics of adults. While they are young, the baby remains attached to its mother's womb for a long time. When it gets heavier, it travels on the back of this.

Parental care is basically under the responsibility of the female, who provides protection, food and hygiene. Occasionally, the male may contribute to care, participating in transport, play, and grooming. Also, other members of the pack could help with the raising of the young baboon..

In relation to weaning, it occurs between 6 and 12 months. Female calves do not leave the herd, establishing a strong bond with their mother. In contrast, young males leave the group when they are 6 years old..

Feeding

The mandrill is an omnivorous animal, but its food preference is fruits. Thus, in the Lope Reserve, in Gabon, their diet is made up of 50.7% of fruits, 26% of seeds, 8.2% of leaves, 6.8% of pith, 2.7% of various flowers, 4.1% of animals and 1.4% of varied food.

This primate usually feeds on the forest floor, although it could also do so at any of the levels of the canopy. The intake of fruits is conditional on its abundance. In their primary forest habitat, the fruiting of the trees is usually irregular, which can cause a periodic shortage of these.

In this case, the baboon's diet is highly dependent on plant material and in some cases could invade farm crops..

Diet

The Mandrillus sphinx it also consumes a wide variety of plants, eating the leaves, bark, roots, seeds, shoots, and stems. Also, you can eat mushrooms and even small pieces of soil..

Among the animals that make up its diet are ants, termites, beetles, crickets, snails, spiders and scorpions. It can also eat eggs and some vertebrates, such as turtles, birds, frogs, fish, rats, porcupines and shrews..

In a timely manner, it could hunt larger animals, such as small antelope. To kill these prey, the mandrill nails its long and powerful fangs into its neck..

Seasonal variations

In Cameroon, the main food throughout the year is fruit. However, between the months of April and July, availability is low and the proportion of other foods, such as leaves, increases..

In this way, fruit constitutes 84% ​​of the diet, followed by animals (7.6%) and the leaves of herbaceous plants (6%). In the months of September to October, the most consumed fruit is Sacoglottis gabonensis and in March is the Grewia leathery.

Animals include ants, spiders, crickets, eggs, birds, and scorpions (Pandinus imperator). You finish them (Macrotermes mulleri) are consumed abundantly in two periods, from April to June and from October to December.

On the other hand, in Gabon the diet of this primate includes fruits, fungi, leaves, bark, seeds and stems. As for the animals, they were opportunistically hunted. Some species preferred by the mandrill are the land crabs and the African brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus africanus).

Within the group of invertebrates are ants, spiders and beetles, especially those of the Scarabaeidae family..

Behaviour

This African primate lives in large groups called hordes. In this can coexist between 615 and 845 baboons. However, the largest horde has been sighted in the Lopé National Park, in Gabon, with a total of 1,300 primates of this species.

These groups are made up of adult females and their offspring. Males tend to live alone, entering hordes only when they are in heat. In this way, the social system is run most of the time by females..

During the day, this species remains on the ground, climbing the trees at dusk, to sleep. They generally select a different plant each night.

Interrelations

The chuck performs a series of expressions that it uses to communicate. Thus, when he is cheerful, he tends to shake his shoulders and head strongly. A sign of kindness towards another member of the group may be the exposure of their teeth, together with a slight lift of their lips..

When angry, it violently hits the ground with its paws. Also, you could stare at the intruder, while scratching your thigh or forearm. A sign of threat is to extend its forelimbs, lower its head and show its powerful fangs..

To protect the harem from other males and predators, the males show their teeth and growl. If this fails to ward off the threat, they repeatedly jump up and yell violently..

The olfactory communication is carried out by the animal using the marks left by the sternal gland. This is used mainly by alpha males and females in heat. Thus, two animals can rub their breasts against each other or do it against the trunk of a tree, to mark their resting place..

References

  1. Ingmarsson, L. (1999). Mandrillus sphinx. Animal Diversity. Recovered from animaldiversity.org.
  2. Gron K.J. (2009). Primate Factsheets: Drill (Mandrillus) Taxonomy, Morphology, & Retrieved from pin.primate.wisc.edu.
  3. ITIS (2019). Mandrillus sphinx. Recovered from itis.gov.
  4. Wikipedia (2019) .Mandrill. Recovered from en.wikipedia.org.
  5. Oates, J.F., Butynski, T.M. (2008). Mandrillus sphinx. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008. Recovered from iucnredlist.org.
  6. About animals. (2018). Mandrill, Colorful Primates of Africa. Recovered from aboutanimals.com.
  7. San Diego Zoo. (2019). Mandrill, Mandrillus sphinx Recovered from anmals.sandiegozoo.org.
  8. Leigh, Steven, Setchell, Joanna, Charpentier, Marie, Knapp, Leslie Wickings, Elizabeth. (2008). Canine tooth size and fitness in mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx). Journal of human evolution. Recovered from researchgate.net
  9. Sean Flannery (2007). Mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx). Recovered from theprimata.com.
  10. Elizabeth C., WhiteJean-Thoussaint, Dikangadissi Edmond, Dimoto William B. Karesh Michael D. KockNathacha Ona Abiaga, Ruth Starkey, Tharcisse Ukizintambara Lee J. T. White, Katharine A. Aberneth (2010). Home-range Use by a Large Horde of Wild Mandrillus sphinx. Recovered from link.springer.com.

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