The most comprehensive guide to primates,
released this week, names the "five funniest faces" in the monkey world.
The massive guide, "Handbook of the Mammals of the World" (Lynx
Edicions, 2013), contains information on the 16 families, 77 genera, 479
species and 681 taxa of primates.
Number one on the book's list of funniest faced monkeys
is the emperor tamarin. Editors Russell Mittermeier, Anthony Rylands and
Don Wilson mention that this monkey was "named after Emperor Franz
Joseph of Austria." Members of the species "have a white curved
'mustache' hanging down as far as their chest." The mustache is thought
to aid in visual communication.
Russell Mittermeier, Conservation International
"Proboscis" is the scientific term for certain
mammals' noses. The shnoz on the proboscis monkey is certainly hard to
miss. Noses on males can exceed 4 inches in length, hanging lower than
the mouth.
Mittermeier, Rylands and Wilson explained that "their long nose is used as a resonating chamber for its loud honking calls."
David Dennis, Wikimedia Commons
"Tarsiers must have been the inspiration for Yoda
in Star Wars," according to the editors. "They have huge forward facing
eyes, each larger than their brain."
These nocturnal, insect-eating primates need such eyes
to locate prey and other things in the dark. They live on islands of
Southeast Asia.
Olivier Langrand
The researchers mention that bearded sakis
"display an extraordinary beard and bouffant hairstyle." Five species
have this unique look, all classified in the genus Chiropotes. The one
shown here is Uta Hick's bearded saki, native to Brazil.
Russell Mittermeier, Conservation International
Black-and-white colobus monkeys "always look
disgruntled," according to the editors. That's just the way they look,
although they have plenty to be perturbed about.
These plant-eaters are prey for many forest predators,
including humans. They have also suffered due to logging practices and
habitat destruction. This individual appears to have been captured in a
particularly non-cranky moment, nibbling on a leaf.
Russell Mittermeier, Conservation International
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