Pitheciinae is a subfamily of the New World monkey family Pitheciidae. It contains three genera and 14 species. Pitheciines are forest dwellers from northern and central South America, east of the Andes.

They are small to medium-sized primates, with a stocky build due to their close skin. The skin is covered in shaggy fur, its coloring varies depending upon species from black to grey and brown up to white. Parts of the face can be bald. The tail, which is not used for grasping but for balance, is also hairy, although the uakari's tail is only a stub.

Pitheciinae

Like most New World monkeys, they are diurnal and arboreal. They are good climbers and spend the majority of their life in the trees. They live in groups ranging in number from small groups (such as with the saki monkeys ) to as many as 50 animals. They communicate with a set of sounds which typically includes high cries and a nearly bird-like twitter.

Pitheciinae

Pitheciines are generally omnivores, the main part of their diet coming from fruits and insects. This is supplemented by flowers, buds, nuts and small vertebrates. Large canines help them to break through the hard rind of the unripe fruits.

Pitheciinae

Births are typically of single offspring with a gestation time of about 5 to 6 months. They typically reach maturity at approximately 3 to 4 years and can become up to 15 years old.

Classification

Family Pitheciidae: titis, sakis and uakaris

Subfamily Pitheciinae

Genus Pithecia

Equatorial saki, Pithecia aequatorialis

White-footed saki or buffy saki , Pithecia albicans

Cazuza's saki, Pithecia cazuzai

Golden-faced saki, Pithecia chrysocephala

Hairy saki, Pithecia hirsuta

Burnished saki, Pithecia inusta

Rio Tapajós saki or Gray's bald-faced saki, Pithecia irrorata

Isabel's saki, Pithecia isabela

Monk saki, Pithecia monachus

Miller's saki, Pithecia milleri

Mittermeier's Tapajós saki, Pithecia mittermeieri (disputed) Napo saki, Pithecia napensis Pissinatti’s saki, Pithecia pissinattii (disputed) White-faced saki, Pithecia pithecia Rylands' bald-faced saki, Pithecia rylandsi (disputed) Vanzolini's bald-faced saki, Pithecia vanzolinii Genus Chiropotes Black bearded saki, Chiropotes satanas Red-backed bearded saki, Chiropotes chiropotes Brown-backed bearded saki, Chiropotes israelita Uta Hick's bearded saki, Chiropotes utahickae White-nosed saki, Chiropotes albinasus Genus Cacajao Black-headed uakari, Cacajao melanocephalus Bald uakari, Cacajao calvus Aracá uakari, Cacajao ayresii Neblina uakari, Cacajao hosomi Subfamily Callicebinae

References

Extant Miocene first appearances