Cercocebus galeritus sanjei

1985                 Cercocebus galeritus sanjei  by Wasser

1986                 Cercocebus galeritus sanjei  by Mittermeier

1993                 C. agilis sanjei by Wilson and Reeder

2006                 C. sanjei by IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group

 Discovered in 1979 (first described in 1979, formal discovery listed as 1981).

The English translation for the Latin "galeritus" is "wearing a cap"(galerum = cap) in reference to the whorl and crest that extends up and over the brow from above the forehead.

 Known locally in Tanzania as "ngolaga" (Kihehe language) and "makakou" (Kipogoro language).

 Information From the Wild

  The Sanje mangabey was discovered in 1979 and is endemic to the scarp forests in the Udzungwa Mountains in Tanzania. The Udzungwa (along with the Uluguru and Usambaras ranges) constitute the “eastern arc” mountains of Africa. The Udzungwa Mountains National Park was formed in 1992 but is still in the early stages of formation and hence protection of the park fauna. The forests are wet and transitional between lowland and montane forest types (Homewood, Rodgers, 1981). Found only in fragmented relict forests of the Udzungwas, it may prefer riverine habitat at altitudes ranging from 400 – 1600 m (1300 – 5300 ft), although it is probably more common above 1000 m (3300 ft). At least one sub-population resides within the recently established Udzungwa Mountains National Park, but the species is also known to occur in low densities outside the protective boundaries of the park in the Ndundulu and Eszungwa Scarp Forest Reserves, where animals are at risk due to hunting and habitat loss.

  Early census estimated the total population to be 3000 individuals (Homewood, Rodgers, 1981). More recent surveys estimate the population total population to be fewer than 1300 divided between two populations (Ehardt, 2001; Ehardt et al., 1999). The largest population (approximately 60%) occurs within the Udzungwa Mountains National Park (UMNP) while the second population is confined to the Udzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve. The two areas are separated by grassland.

  Like other Cercocebus species, the Sanje mangabey feeds on seeds, nuts, and invertebrates on the forest floor, in addition to fruit. The characteristic of spending ~50% of its time on the forest floor, however, subjects the mangabeys to risk from snares set for hunting of other animals such as duikers. Time magazine (Jan 17, 2000 issue) reported that the Sanje Mangabey was # 14 on the top 25 most endangered primates in the world (Primates in Peril, originated by Dr. Russell Mittermeier, chairman of the IUCN SSC, Primate Specialist Group). Subsequently, it has remained on the 2002 and 2004 lists as well (Mittermeier, April 2005)

Description

  Pelage is long, particularly over the back and shoulders, and is agouti, resembling that of C. a. agilis.  Color on the back and limbs are a uniform smokey-brown to fawn with a cream-colored underside. Facial skin is pink to gray with white upper eyelid areas.  The skin of the feet and hands are a darker gray-brown.