Faces in the Forest: The Endangered Muriqui Monkeys of Brazil

by Strier

The woolly spider monkey, or muriqui, is one of the most threatened primate species in the world. Because of deforestation in their natural habitat―the Atlantic coastal forests of southeastern Brazil―the muriquis are confined to less than 3 percent of their original range. As of 1987, there were only a dozen forest fragments known to support a total muriqui population of about 500. As of 1998, at least 20 forests are known to support at least 1,000 muriquis. This book traces the natural history of the muriqui from its scientific discovery in 1806 to its current, highly endangered status.

Karen Strier provides a case study of this scientifically important primate species by balancing field research and ecological issues. Through her accessible presentation, readers gain a broad understanding of primate behavior and tropical conservation.

170 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

meu sonho e trabalhar com vc diva

[James F · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides), the sole species in its genus, is the largest New World monkey, closely related to the Spider Monkeys and the Wooly Monkeys, and more distantly to the Howler Monkeys. It inhabits what is left of the Atlantic Coastal Forest in southeastern Brazil, the most densely populated agricultural/industrial region of the country, and together with the Golden Lion Tamarin of the same remnant forest is the most endangered of all the New World primates.

Strier began her studies of the Muriqui in 1982; this book was written after ten years, and a new preface was added in 1999. At that time, the community she was studying had increased from 22 to 49 individuals, and the total number of Muriquis had increased from a low of 356 known individuals to approximately 1000. (Before the European conquest, the population of Muriquis is estimated to have been about 400,000.)

This book covers virtually all aspects of the Muriqui, including diet, range, activity, reproduction, and development, as well as conservation aspects (mainly in the last chapter.) The Muriqui seem to be the least agressive of all known primates, perhaps because for such a large monkey which is almost totally arboreal it would be too dangerous to engage in agonistic behaviors in the trees, or perhaps because it is one of the least sexually dimorphic species among primates. At any rate, the social structure seems to be at the opposite end of the behavioral spectrum from the Old World Monkeys and the capuchins (the next genus I will be reading about) with female dispersion/male philopatry, little competition among males for mating, and largely female choice of mates.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Beautiful read. Great for a students wanting more insight in what it means to work in the field without needing intensive knowledge of Primatology and doesn't loose a reader to professional jargon. She covers the highs and lows of field research, her search for the best way to observe and collect data, her own social relationships with the muriqui and colleagues.