ANIMALS – MAMMALS – PRIMATES – COLLARED MANGABEY (CERCOCEBUS TORQUATUS)

Animals - Mammals - Primates

Collared mangabey (Cercocebus torquatus)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Mammalia
Order : Primates
Family :Cercopithecidae
Genus :Cercocebus
Species : C. Torquatus

Description:

The Collared mangabey(Cercocebus torquatus), also known as the Red-capped mangabey, or the White-collared mangabey (leading to easy confusion with Cercocebus atys lunulatus), is a species of primatein the family Cercopithecidaeof Old World monkeys. It formerly included the sooty mangabey as a subspecies. As presently defined, the collared mangabey is monotypic.

The collared mangabey has grey fur covering its body, but its common names refer to the colors on its head and neck. Its prominent chestnut-red cap gives it the name red-capped, and its white collar gives it the names collared and white-collared. Its ears are black and it has striking white eyelids, which is why some refer to it as the "four-eyed monkey". It has a dark grey tail that exceeds the length of the body and is often held with the white tip over its head. It has long molars and very large incisors. The average body mass for captive individuals ranges from 9 to 10 kg (20 to 22 lb) for males and 7.5 to 8.6 kg (17 to 19 lb) for females. Head-body length is 47–67 cm (19–26 in) in males and 45–60 cm (18–24 in) in females.

The collared mangabey is found in coastal, swamp, mangrove, and valley forests, from western Nigeria, east and south into Cameroon, and throughout Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon, and on the Gabon-Congo border by the Atlantic shore.

The collared mangabey is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Redlist due to habitat loss and hunting for bushmeat. It is also listed on Appendix II of CITES and on Class B of the African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

Binomial Name:

Name : Cercocebus torquatus
Taxonomist : Robert Kerr (Bughtridge - Scotland)
Year : 1792
Subspecies : None, or not data available
Synonyms : None, or not data available

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Vulnerable

A Vulnerable species is one which has been categorised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as likely to become endangered unless the circumstances threatening its survival and reproduction improve.

Vulnerability is mainly caused by habitat loss or destruction. Vulnerable habitat or species are monitored and can become increasingly threatened. Some species listed as "vulnerable" may be common in captivity.

Philatelic Issues

2016 – Uruguay – Unique Stamp, from Year of the Monkey Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: January 28th, 2016
Printed: 15.003 Copies
Type: Unique Stamp from Series
Value:UYP 20

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 27 mm. x 39 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated

ANIMALS – MAMMALS – CETACEANS – LA PLATA DOLPHIN (PONTOPORIA BLAINVILLEI)

Animals - Mammals - Cetaceans

La Plata dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Mammalia
Subclass : Eutheria
Order : Cetacea
Suborder : Odontoceti
Superfamily : Inioidea
Family : Pontoporiidae
Genus : Pontoporia
Species : P. Blainvillei

Description:

The La Plata dolphinor Franciscana(Pontoporia blainvillei) is found in coastal Atlantic waters of southeastern South America. It is a member of the river dolphin group and the only one that actually lives in the ocean and saltwater estuaries, rather than inhabiting exclusively freshwater systems.

The La Plata dolphin is the only species in its genus, and is often placed in its own family, the Pontoporiidae. It was first described by Paul Gervais and Alcide d'Orbigny in 1844(the species epithet blainvillei commemorates the French zoologist Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville).

The La Plata dolphin is also widely known as the Franciscana - the Argentine and Uruguayan name that has been adopted internationally. Other common names are the toninha (the Brazilian name) and cachimbo.

The La Plata dolphin has the longest beak (as a proportion of body size) of any cetacean — as much as 15% in older adults. Males grow to 1.6 m (5 ft, 3 in) and females to 1.8 m (5 ft, 10 in). The body is a greyish brown colour, with a lighter underside. The flippers are also very large in comparison with body size and are very broad, but narrow on joining the body, so are almost triangular in shape. The trailing edges are serrated. The crescent-shaped blowhole lies just in front of a crease in the neck, giving the impression that dolphin forever has its head cricked upwards. The dorsal fin has a long base and a rounded tip.

The La Plata dolphin weighs up to 50 kg (110 lb), and lives for up to 20 years. The gestation period is around 10–11 months and juveniles take just a few years to mature. Females may be giving birth by the age of five.

Binomial Name:

Name : Pontoporia blainvillei
Taxonomist : Paul Gervais (Paris - France) and Alcide d'Orbigny (Couëron - France)
Year : 1844
Subspecies : None or not data available
Synonyms : None or not data available

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status :Vulnerable

A Vulnerable species is one which has been categorised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as likely to become endangered unless the circumstances threatening its survival and reproduction improve.

Vulnerability is mainly caused by habitat loss or destruction. Vulnerable habitat or species are monitored and can become increasingly threatened. Some species listed as "vulnerable" may be common in captivity.

Philatelic Issues

2015 - Uruguay - Stamp 3 of 4, from Spring Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: August 31st, 2012
Printed: 15.000 Copies
Type: Stamp from Series of 4 Stamps
Value: UYP 12

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 39 mm. x 27 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated