| Gabon talapoin[1] | |
|---|---|
| |
| Gabon talapoin in Prague Zoo, Czech Republic | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Primates |
| Suborder: | Haplorhini |
| Infraorder: | Simiiformes |
| Family: | Cercopithecidae |
| Genus: | Miopithecus |
| Species: | M. ogouensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Miopithecus ogouensis Kingdon, 1997
| |
| |
| Gabon talapoin range | |
The Gabon talapoin (Miopithecus ogouensis), also known as the northern talapoin, is a small species of African monkey native to riparian habitats in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the western Republic of the Congo and the far western Democratic Republic of Congo. It may have been introduced to Bioko and the Canary Islands. Classified in the genus Miopithecus, it was given the name Miopithecus ogouensis, based on the River Ogooué, distinguishing it from the other species, the Angolan talapoin, also known as Miopithecus talapoin.
Gabon talapoins are large-headed monkeys with yellow-olive tinted coating and can be differentiated from the Angolan talapoin by its flesh-coloured ears (not blackish). They are always found near watercourses and can dive and swim away when disturbed. Males and females live together in mixed groups, but rarely interact with each other outside of mating season. Females tend to give birth annually during the rainy season, with mating season taking place during the dry season. Its diet constitute of mostly foraged fruits, seeds, leaves and insects, and crops raided from cultivated plantations. The Gabon talapoins are dependent on thick coverings to protect them from predation due to their small size, but their elusiveness have also made it difficult to observe their behaviors in the wild.
The Gabon talapoin is considered as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Assessed in 2017, its overall population trend is decreasing, with a continuing decline of mature individuals. Conservation efforts have been made to preserve its habitat and control trade on an international level.
- ^ Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 165–166. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ Maisels, F. (2019). "Miopithecus ogouensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T41570A17953573. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T41570A17953573.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.