Callicebus cupreus (Spix, 1823)

Russell A. Mittermeier, Anthony B. Rylands & Don E. Wilson, 2013, Phitheciidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 3 Primates, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 432-483 : 460-461

6.

Coppery Tia

Callicebus cupreus

French: Titi roux / German: Roter Springaffe / Spanish: Titi cobrizo

Other common names: Coppery Titi Monkey

Taxonomy. Callithrix cuprea Spix, 1823 ,

forests of the Rio Solimoes, Brazil.

In 1990, P. Hershkovitz listed ornatus and discolor as subspecies of C. cupreus . In 2001, C. P. Groves listed it as monotypic with numerous synonyms, including C. caligatus , C. discolor , and C. dubius that he listed subsequently as valid species in 2005. C. cupreus is the representative species of the cupreus species group, which includes C. ornatus , C. discolor , C. caligatus , C. stephennashi , and the recently described C. caquetensis . C. cupreus is sympatric with C. purinus and C. regulus in different parts of the northern extreme ofits distribution; both are representatives of the torquatus group. Monotypic.

Distribution. SW Amazon Basin S of the Rio Maranon/Solimoes in E Peru (E of the Rio Ucayali) and W Brazil (W of the Rio Purus). The exact S limit of its distribution is unclear, but it appears to coincide with the foothills of the Andes.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 29-34 cm (males) and 27-41 cm (females), tail 39-5— 48 cm (males) and 40-547 cm (females); weight 1000-1200 g (males). Male and female Coppery Titis are indistinguishable in size and coloration. Their bodies are predominantly buff-brown agouti, and their tails are grayish white. Underparts, forearms, lowerlegs, throat, sideburns, and cheiridia (hands and feet) are uniformly reddish. Forehead and crown are reddish-brown agouti like the back, and they are often fringed with blackish superciliary vibrissae. Tails of young individuals are brown but change to the adult color at c.2 years old.

Habitat. Lowland Amazon rainforest at elevations of 100-300 m. The Coppery Titi may be restricted to terra firma forest, at least where it is sympatric with the Rio Purus Tit ( C. purinus ) and the Rio Jurua Collared Titi ( C. regulus ). It appears to be tolerant of habitat disturbance and may be relatively common in secondary forest, which is typical ofthe titis in the cupreus group. It prefers the middle and lower strata of the forest.

Food and Feeding. The Coppery Titi is predominantly frugivorous, but it complements its diet with leaves and arthropods. Occasional consumption of soil (geophagy) from arboreal termitaria has been observed at one site in Peru.

Breeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but all titis form monogamous breeding pairs. The male provides parental care by carrying the single offspring.

Activity patterns. There is no information available for this species.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Densities of Coppery Titis at 0-5— 5-7 groups/km?* have been recorded at a number ofsites in Brazil and Peru. Higher estimates are consistent with home ranges of 20-30 ha, which are typical of titis in general. The lowest estimates were recorded at localities in the zone of sympatry with the Rio Purus Titi and may have reflected a patchy distribution, possibly related to competitive exclusion and a preference for disturbed habitat. Group sizes recorded are mostly typical of titis, with 2-6 individuals, consistent with the presence of a breeding pair and their immature offspring. In one case, however, a group contained seven individuals, including three adult males, two of which were brothers. This appeared to be a temporary arrangement, related to a transition in group composition following the death of the resident adult male. Dispersing adults may establish territories adjacent to or even in the territory of the natal group from which they dispersed.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix II. Classified as Least Concern on The [UCN Red List. The Coppery Titi is buffered by its extensive and remote geographic distribution in the western Amazon Basin. It occurs in numerous indigenous reserves and protected areas in the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Acre.

Bibliography. Aquino & Encarnacion (1994b), Bicca-Marques & Heymann (2013), Bicca-Marques et al. (2002), Cameron et al. (1989), Groves (2001, 2005b), Haugaasen & Peres (2005a), Hershkovitz (1988, 1990), Knogge & Heymann (1995), Nadjafzadeh & Heymann (2008), Norconk (2011), Peres (1988, 1993d), van Roosmalen et al. (2002) , Rylands (1987), Veiga (2008a), Vermeer (2009).

Figures

On following pages: 4. Olallas’ Titi (Callicebus olallae); 5. San Martin Titi (Callicebus oenanthe); 6. Coppery Titi (Callicebus cupreus); 7. Red-crowned Titi (Callicebus discolon; 8. Ornate Titi (Callicebus ornatus); 9. Chestnut-bellied Titi (Callicebus caligatus); 10. Doubtful Titi (Callicebus dubius); 11. Stephen Nash's Titi (Callicebus stephennashi); 12. Caqueta Titi (Callicebus caquetensis);, 13. Ashy Titi (Callicebus cinerascens); 14. Hoffmanns's Titi (Callicebus hoffmannsi); 15. Lake Baptista Titi (Callicebus baptista); 16. Red-bellied Titi (Callicebus moloch).

Distribution. SW Amazon Basin S of the Rio Maranon/Solimoes in E Peru (E of the Rio Ucayali) and W Brazil (W of the Rio Purus). The exact S limit of its distribution is unclear, but it appears to coincide with the foothills of the Andes.