the white-fronted capuchin ( cebus albifrons ) is a species of capuchin monkey , a type of new world primate , found in seven different countries in south america : bolivia , brazil , colombia , venezuela , ecuador , peru , and trinidad and tobago .

the species is divided into several different subspecies , though the specific divisions are uncertain and controversial .

this primate is a medium-sized monkey with a light brown back and a creamy white underside .

like other capuchin monkeys , it is omnivorous , feeding primarily on fruits , invertebrates , other plant parts and sometimes small vertebrates .

it is predated upon primarily by raptors and probably small cats , especially the margay , though snakes have been known to attack the species .

it is a polygamous animal and lives on fairly large groups of 15 to 35 individuals , reproductive females give birth to a single young at biennial intervals .

the species maintains a home range of 1.2 to 1.5 km ² ( 0.46 to 0.58 sq mi ) and has a complex vocal repertoire .

it is one of the few primates to have been observed crafting and utilising tools in the wild .

white-fronted capuchin populations are declining .

the decline is believed to be caused by human-induced habitat loss and degradation , and hunting .

in 2008 the international union for conservation of nature ( iucn ) classified the ecuadorian white-fronted capuchin ( ssp. aequatorialis ) and the trinidad white-fronted capuchin ( ssp. trinitatis ) as critically endangered , and the varied white-fronted capuchin ( ssp. versicolor ) in colombia is classified as endangered .

the total population of the trinidad subspecies was 61 at the last census .

white - fronted capuchin

species group within the genus cebus , a group that also includes the white - fronted capuchin , the weeper capuchin and the kaapori capuchin .
information on the white - fronted capuchin is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly .
you selected santa marta white - fronted capuchin ( english ) . this is a common name for :
the white - fronted capuchin is an arboreal , forest dwelling species which feeds mainly on fruit and insects .
white - fronted capuchin at about 1600m elevation in our cerro candelaria reserve . photo : luis recalde / ecominga .
numerous subspecies of the white - fronted capuchin have been described , although there is some debate regarding the exact number .
notes on interactions between the tayra ( eira barbara ) and the white - fronted capuchin ( cebus albifro . . .
classified as least concern ( lc ) on the iucn red list ( 1 ) and listed on appendix i of cites ( 2 ) . subspecies : ecuadorian white - fronted capuchin , cebus albifrons aequatorialis , and the trinidad white - fronted capuchin , c . a . trinitatis , are listed as critically endangered ( cr ) , the río cesar white - fronted capuchin , c . a . cesarae , is listed as data deficient ( dd ) , the shock - headed capuchin , c . a . cuscinus , is listed as near threatened ( nt ) , the santa marta white - fronted capuchin , c . a . malitiosus , and the varied white - fronted capuchin , c . a . versicolor , are listed as endangered ( en ) and the white - fronted capuchin , c . a . albifrons , is listed as least concern ( lc ) on the iucn red list ( 1 ) .
a white - fronted capuchin ( cebus albifrons ) . © renee lynn , national audubon society collection / photo researchers , inc . reproduced with permission .
white - fronted capuchins are found in rainforest habitats from sea - level to 2000 meters ( hill , 1960 ) .
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the average body mass for the white - fronted capuchin is about 3 kilograms . this species has relatively long limbs compared to trunk size . the white - fronted capuchin has a prehensile tail . this species is sexually dimorphic . fingers on this species are short and the thumb is opposable ( fleagle , 1988 ) . the premolars of the white - fronted capuchin are large , and the molars are square shaped with a thick enamel to help with cracking nuts ( fleagle , 1988 ) .
like other capuchin species , the white - headed capuchin matures slowly . sexual maturity can be reached at 3 years .
male white - fronted capuchins are dominant over females , and it has been observed that an alpha male appears to lead the group .
about whether there are any subspecies of white - headed capuchin . some authorities consider there to be three subspecies of white - headed capuchin , based on small differences in appearance :
like other monkeys of the cebus group , the white - headed capuchin is named after the order of capuchin friars – the cowls worn by these friars looks like the monkey ' s white fur .
the iucn red list and other sources don’t provide the number of the white - fronted capuchin total population size . according to the wikipedia resource the total population size of the trinidad subspecies was 61 individuals at the last census . currently white - fronted capuchins are classified as least concern ( lc ) on the iucn red list ; however their numbers today are decreasing .
this video was taken in the town of misahualli , ecuador . the town has a semi - free ranging population of white - fronted capuchin monkeys , that regularly use rocks to smash open nuts and sticks .
english : white - shouldered capuchin ; french : sajou à gorge blanche ; spanish : mono capuchino .
tail that is often held coiled , giving the white - headed capuchin the nickname
ringtail
.
there is disagreement among primatologists about whether there are any subspecies of white - headed capuchin . some authorities consider there to be three subspecies of white - headed capuchin , based on small differences in appearance :
the scientific community has focused on the tool use of brazilian populations of the brown tufted capuchin , cebus apella , the species in the attenborough video . in our ecominga reserves , we do not have this species , but we do have the white - fronted capuchin , cebus albifrons in our cerro candelaria , naturetrek , and rio zunac reserves . one of our forest caretakers , luis recalde , recently managed to photograph this white - fronted capuchin in the cerro candelaria reserve :
the white - headed capuchin ( cebus capucinus ) , also known as the white - faced capuchin or white - throated capuchin , is a medium - sized new world monkey of the family cebidae , subfamily cebinae . native to the forests of central america and the extreme north - western portion of south america , the white - headed capuchin is important to rainforest ecology for its role in dispersing seeds and pollen .
the white - headed capuchin was originally described by carolus linnaeus in his 18th century work , systema naturae . it is a member of the family cebidae . it is part of the family of new world monkeys containing capuchin monkeys , squirrel monkeys , tamarins and marmosets . it is part of the genus cebus . it is part of the c . capucinus species group . this group also includes the white - fronted capuchin , the weeper capuchin and the kaapori capuchin .
the white - headed capuchin has mostly black fur , with white to yellow like fur on the neck , throat , chest , shoulders , and upper arms .
on another occasion , juan pablo reyes and our caretakers set up a camera trap near that reserve to discover what animal was eating our neighbors’ corn . the culprit turned out to be a sneaky white - fronted capuchin :
white - fronted capuchins inhabit northwestern south america , including columbia , ecuador , venezuela , eastern peru , and a good part of amazonian brazil . they like to live in thick primary growth rainforest where traveling from tree to tree can be done easily . white - fronted capuchins also like flooded forests , forests growing between rocks , forests growing in white sand and gravel at the bottom of mesas .
as white - fronted capuchins are limited to rainforest habitats , they are threatened by habitat destruction from logging and forest clearance . in some areas they are hunted for meat .
there are four species of capuchin monkeys found in south america . the brown capuchin ( cebus apella ) lives in tropical and subtropical forests from venezuela to brazil . capuchins are not found in the andes mountains along the western part of the continent . the brown capuchin has tufts a white - fronted capuchin ( cebus albifrons ) . © renee lynn , national audubon society collection / photo r…
the white - headed capuchin ( cebus capucinus ) is a medium - sized new world monkey of the family cebidae , subfamily cebinae . it is also known as the white - faced capuchin or the white - throated capuchin . it comes from the forests of central america . it also lives in the extreme northwestern part of south america . the white - headed capuchin is important to rain forests because of its role in dispersing seeds and pollen .
the white - headed capuchin ( cebus capucinus ) is a medium - sized new world monkey of the family cebidae , subfamily cebinae . it is also known as the white - faced capuchin or the white - throated capuchin . it comes from the forests of central america . it also lives in the extreme northwestern part of south america . the white - headed capuchin is important to rain forests because of its role in dispersing seeds and pollen .
the white - headed capuchin is found in much of central america and a small portion of south america . in
, more than it directly impacts the white - headed capuchin , and so on a net basis deforestation may not be as harmful to the capuchin ' s status .
the white - headed capuchin was originally described by carolus linnaeus in his 18th century work , systema naturae . [ 4 ] it is a member of the family cebidae . it is part of the family of new world monkeys containing capuchin monkeys , squirrel monkeys , tamarins and marmosets . it is part of the genus cebus . [ 5 ] it is part of the c . capucinus species group . this group also includes the white - fronted capuchin , the weeper capuchin and the kaapori capuchin . [ 5 ]
like other monkeys of the cebus group , the white - headed capuchin is named after the order of capuchin friars – the cowls worn by these friars looks like the monkey ' s white fur . [ 6 ] [ 7 ]
the white - headed capuchin monkey ( cebus capucinus ) , also known as the white - faced capuchin or white - throated capuchin , is a small new world monkey of the family cebidae . native to the forests of south and central america , white - throated capuchins are important to rainforest ecology by their role in dispersing seeds and pollen . like other monkeys in the genus cebus , white - headed capuchins are named after the order of capuchin friars : the cowls worn by these friars closely resemble the monkeys head colouration .
insects , ant and wasp larvae and vertebrates become a particularly important part of the white - headed capuchin ' s diet .
the white - headed capuchin is known to rub parts of certain plants into their hair . plants used in this manner include
) , also known as the white - faced capuchin or white - throated capuchin , is a medium - sized new world monkey of the family cebidae , subfamily cebinae . native to the forests of central america and the extreme north - western portion of south america , the white - headed capuchin is important to rainforest ecology for its role in dispersing seeds and pollen .
the white - fronted capuchin ( c . albifrons ) is found in the moist forests of venezuela , brazil , bolivia , ecuador , colombia , and on the island of trinidad . this species is slightly smaller than other capuchin monkeys . the colors are similar to weeper and white - faced capuchins , with a pale and broad cap that covers most of the tops of their heads .
white - fronted capuchins assist in dispersing via their feces , the seeds of the fruits that they eat . this may transport propagules somewhere they normally would not get to , far away from the tree they fell from .
perry , s . ( 1996 ) .
female - female relationships in wild white - faced capuchin monkeys , cebus capucinus .
.
perry , s . ( 1997 ) .
male - female social relationships in wild white - faced capuchin monkeys , cebus capucinus
.
the white - headed capuchin has a long life span given its size . the maximum recorded life span in captivity is over 54 years .
other names : black - capped capuchin , brown capuchin , guianan brown capuchin , tufted capuchin ; gekuifde kapucijnaap ( dutch ) ; sajon apelle ( french ) ; macaco prego ( spanish ) ; tjockhuvudtamarin , brun kapucin , gulbröstad kapucin , mösskapucin ( swedish ) ; c . a . apella : mono capuchin pardo ( spanish ) .
factors such as easier access to water and food may have to do with the white - headed capuchin ' s less extensive use of tools .
perry , s . ( 1997 ) .
male - female social relationships in wild white - faced capuchin monkeys , cebus capucinus .
.
the white - headed capuchin can eat a wide variety of fruits as well as caterpillars in the early rainy season ( june to november ) .
the black capuchin monkey ( cebus nigritus ) , is a capuchin monkey from south america . it is found in brazil and argentina . the robust tufted capuchin ( cebus nigritus robustus ) , is a subspecies of the black capuchin endemic to brazil . conservation status – vulnerable .
though the white - headed capuchin has perhaps the most extensive and most frequent tool use in comparison to the other gracile capuchins , its tool use is considerably inferior to that of robust capuchins , especially the tufted capuchin . factors such as easier access to water and food may have to do with the white - headed capuchin ' s less extensive use of tools .
the white - fronted capuchin is found in the countries of bolivia , brazil , colombia , ecuador , peru , and venezuela . this species prefers to live in primary and advanced secondary forests . this species prefers canopy trees over 30 meters high with crowns 55 meters in diameter ( kinzey , 1997 ) .
though the white - headed capuchin has perhaps the most extensive and most frequent tool use in comparison to the other gracile capuchins , its tool use is considerably inferior to that of robust capuchins , especially the tufted capuchin .
like other monkeys in the genus cebus , the white - headed capuchin is named after the order of capuchin friars – the cowls of these friars closely resemble the monkey ' s head coloration . the white - headed capuchin has mostly black fur , with white to yellow like fur on the neck , throat , chest , shoulders , and upper arms . the face is pink or a white - cream color and may have identifying marks such as dark brows or dark fur patches . an area of black fur on the crown of the head is distinctive . it has a prehensile tail that is often held coiled , giving the white - headed capuchin the nickname
ringtail
.
white - fronted capuchins help to disperse the seeds of fruits they eat in their feces . this may carry propagules to an area that might not normally be reached , far from the perimeter of the tree . ( terborgh , 1992 ) .
1986 . boa constrictor predation and group response in white - faced cebus monkeys .
although they engage in activity that has been described as
territorial
, more recent research indicates that white - faced capuchin troops tend to behave aggressively to other white - faced capuchin troops regardless of where they meet , and the aggression is not necessarily intended to exclude the other troops from a specific home range .
like other capuchin monkeys , the white - headed capuchin matures slowly . sexual maturity is reached at 3 years . on average , females give birth for the first time at 7 years old and give birth every 26 months . males reach maturity at 10 years old . the white - headed capuchin has a long life span . the maximum recorded life span in captivity is over 54 years .
the small size of white - fronted capuchins makes them vulnerable to larger predators . these capuchins have adopted a loud alarm call which scares some predators off and may warn others in the group about the presence of predators ( smuts et al . , 1987 ) .
and agoutis are attracted by feeding white - headed capuchins , looking for fruit that the capuchins drop . several species of bird are also known to follow white - headed capuchins looking for food . these include the double - toothed kite , the white hawk and the
several non - primate animal species tend to follow troops of white - faced monkeys or are otherwise attracted by their presence . white - lipped peccaries and common agoutis are attracted by feeding white - headed capuchins , looking for fruit that the capuchins drop . several species of bird are also known to follow white - headed capuchins looking for food . these include the double - toothed kite , the white hawk and the sharp - shinned hawk .
capuchin monkey ,
mindy ' s memory primate sanctuary website , 2007 .
the capuchin monkeys are the group of new world monkeys classified as genus cebus .
are attracted by feeding white - headed capuchins , looking for fruit that the capuchins drop .
like other capuchin species , the white - headed capuchin matures slowly . sexual maturity can be reached at 3 years . but on average , females give birth for the first time at 7 years old and give birth every 26 months thereafter . males attain reproductive maturity at 10 years old . the white - headed capuchin has a long life span given its size . the maximum recorded life span in captivity is over 54 years .
although south american capuchin species often travel with and feed together with squirrel monkeys , the white - headed capuchin only rarely associates with the central american squirrel monkey . this appears to be related to the patchier , more dispersed distribution of food resources in central america and the fact that there is less dietary overlap between the central american squirrel monkey and the white - headed capuchin than between their south american counterparts . therefore , there is less benefit to the central american squirrel monkey in associating with the white - headed capuchin in order to exploit the capuchin ' s knowledge of food resource distribution . in addition , compared to their south american counterparts , male white - headed capuchins are relatively more alert to rival males than to predators , reducing the predator detection benefits that the central american squirrel monkey receives from associating with the white - headed capuchin compared to its south american counterparts . since the squirrel monkeys generally initiate interactions with the capuchins in south america , the fact that similar associations would impose higher foraging costs and impart fewer predator detection benefits to the central american squirrel monkey leads to fewer associations with the white - headed capuchin .
i haven’t noticed reports in the scientific literature about stone tool use in the white - fronted capuchin , but some friends of mine ( juan medina , oscar valenzuela ) have repeatedly observed complex behaviors in this ecuadorian species . the best place to observe these behaviors is in the jungle town of misahualli , home of a wild population of white - fronted capuchins that has adapted to human city life . juan medina , a guide who spent much time in the town , tells me that just like the brazilian cebus apella , the monkeys there collect large pounding rocks along the rivers and carry them ( sometimes using both hands ) into the town , where they use them to break hard food objects . juan observed that they also use carefully - chosen sticks ( again , brought from a distance ) to dig out carpenter bee larvae from their tunnels . here is a short clip on youtube made by a visitor in misahualli . the stone tool use by the white - fronted capuchin is clearly visible :
the black - striped capuchin monkey ( cebus libidinosus ) , is a new world capuchin monkey from south america . it is found in brazil , argentina and paraguay .
several non - primate animal species tend to follow troops of white - faced monkeys or are otherwise attracted by their presence . white - lipped peccaries and common agoutis are attracted by feeding white - headed capuchins , looking for fruit that the capuchins drop . [ 38 ] several species of bird are also known to follow white - headed capuchins looking for food . these include the double - toothed kite , the white hawk and the sharp - shinned hawk . [ 38 ]
the white - headed capuchin sometimes interacts with other sympatric monkey species . white - headed capuchins sometimes travel with and even groom geoffroy ' s spider monkeys . however , aggressive interactions between the capuchins and spider monkeys also occur . interactions between the white - headed capuchin and mantled howler are infrequent , and sometimes result in the capuchins threatening the larger howlers . however , affiliative associations between the capuchins and howlers do sometimes occur , mostly involving juveniles playing together .
the white - headed capuchin sometimes interacts with other sympatric monkey species . white - headed capuchins sometimes travel with and even groom geoffroy ' s spider monkeys . however , aggressive interactions between the capuchins and spider monkeys also occur . interactions between the white - headed capuchin and mantled howler are infrequent , and sometimes result in the capuchins threatening the larger howlers . however , affiliative associations between the capuchins and howlers do sometimes occur , mostly involving juveniles playing together .
blond capuchin , cebus queirozi ( new species , mendes pontes et al . 2006 )
the white - headed capuchin ' s intelligence and ability to use tools allows them to be trained to assist paraplegics . other species of capuchin monkeys are also trained in this manner . white - headed capuchins can also be trained for roles on television and movies , such as marcel on the television series friends . they were also traditionally used as organ grinder monkeys .
the white - headed capuchin ' s intelligence and ability to use tools allows them to be trained to assist paraplegics . other species of capuchin monkeys are also trained in this manner . white - headed capuchins can also be trained for roles on television and movies , such as marcel on the television series friends . they were also traditionally used as organ grinder monkeys .
the white - headed capuchin has mostly black fur . it has white or yellow fur on the neck , throat , chest , shoulders , and upper arms . the face is pink or a white - cream color . the face can sometimes have marks like dark brows or dark fur patches . there is also an area of black fur on the top of the head .
although south american capuchin species often travel with and feed together with squirrel monkeys , the white - headed capuchin only rarely associates with the central american squirrel monkey . this appears to be related to the patchier , more dispersed distribution of food resources in central america and the fact that there is less dietary overlap between the central american squirrel monkey and the white - headed capuchin than between their south american counterparts . therefore , there is less benefit to the central american squirrel monkey in associating with the white - headed capuchin in order to exploit the capuchin ' s knowledge of food resource distribution . in addition , compared to their south american counterparts , male white - headed capuchins are relatively more alert to rival males than to predators , reducing the predator detection benefits that the central american squirrel monkey receives from associating with the white - headed capuchin compared to its south american counterparts . since the squirrel monkeys generally initiate interactions with the capuchins in south america , the fact that similar associations would impose higher foraging costs and impart fewer predator detection benefits to the central american squirrel monkey leads to fewer associations with the white - headed capuchin . [ 13 ] [ 43 ] [ 44 ] [ 45 ]
like other capuchin monkeys , the white - headed capuchin matures slowly . sexual maturity is reached at 3 years . [ 57 ] on average , females give birth for the first time at 7 years old and give birth every 26 months . [ 13 ] males reach maturity at 10 years old . [ 13 ] the white - headed capuchin has a long life span . the maximum recorded life span in captivity is over 54 years . [ 13 ]
perry s . rose l . ( 1994 ) . begging and transfer of coati meat by white - faced capuchin monkeys , cebus capucinus . primates 35 ( 4 ) : 409 - 415
the white - headed capuchin also uses tools in other ways . it has been known to beat snakes with sticks in order to protect itself or to get the snake to release an infant .
the white - headed capuchin can adapt to forest fragmentation better than other species due to its ability to live in a wide variety of forest types and exploit a wide variety of food sources .
capuchin monkeys belong to the cebidae family with the marmosets , tamarins , and squirrel monkeys .
. this appears to be related to the patchier , more dispersed distribution of food resources in central america and the fact that there is less dietary overlap between the central american squirrel monkey and the white - headed capuchin than between their south american counterparts . therefore , there is less benefit to the central american squirrel monkey in associating with the white - headed capuchin in order to exploit the capuchin ' s knowledge of food resource distribution . in addition , compared to their south american counterparts , male white - headed capuchins are relatively more alert to rival males than to predators , reducing the predator detection benefits that the central american squirrel monkey receives from associating with the white - headed capuchin compared to its south american counterparts . since the squirrel monkeys generally initiate interactions with the capuchins in south america , the fact that similar associations would impose higher foraging costs and impart fewer predator detection benefits to the central american squirrel monkey leads to fewer associations with the white - headed capuchin .
perry , s . , manson , j . & barrett , h . c . ( 2004 ) .
white - faced capuchin monkeys exhibit triadic awareness in their choice of allies .
.
white - faced capuchin troops occupy home ranges of between 32 and 86 hectares ( 79 and 213 acres ) . they travel between 1 and 3 kilometres ( 0 . 62 and 1 . 86 mi ) daily , averaging 2 kilometres ( 1 . 2 mi ) per day . although they engage in activity that has been described as
territorial
, more recent research indicates that white - faced capuchin troops tend to behave aggressively to other white - faced capuchin troops regardless of where they meet , and the aggression is not necessarily intended to exclude the other troops from a specific home range .
perry , s . ; manson , j . & barrett , h . c . ( 2004 ) .
white - faced capuchin monkeys exhibit triadic awareness in their choice of allies .
.
white - faced capuchin troops occupy home ranges of between 32 and 86 hectares ( 79 and 213 acres ) . they travel between 1 and 3 kilometres ( 0 . 62 and 1 . 86 mi ) daily , averaging 2 kilometres ( 1 . 2 mi ) per day . although they engage in activity that has been described as
territorial
, more recent research indicates that white - faced capuchin troops tend to behave aggressively to other white - faced capuchin troops regardless of where they meet , and the aggression is not necessarily intended to exclude the other troops from a specific home range .
one white - faced capuchin monkey sticks its fingers deep into the eye sockets of another capuchin it ' s friends with . a capuchin uses her ally ' s body parts to whack their common enemy . these behaviors become entrenched in the repertoires of the inventors . but in the first case , the behavior spreads to other group members , and in the second case it does not .
the white - headed capuchin is regarded as
least concern
from a conservation standpoint by iucn . however , its numbers are affected by the fact that it is sometimes captured for the pet trade . its status can also be harmed by deforestation . however , deforestation may also impact its main predator , the harpy eagle , more than it directly impacts the white - headed capuchin , and so on a net basis deforestation may not be as harmful to the capuchin ' s status . the white - headed capuchin can adapt to forest fragmentation better than other species due to its ability to live in a wide variety of forest types and exploit a wide variety of food sources . the white - headed capuchin is important to its ecosystems as a seed and pollen disperser . it also impacts the ecosystem by eating insects that act as pests to certain trees , by pruning certain trees , such as
several species of bird are also known to follow white - headed capuchins looking for food . these include the
english : brown or tufted capuchin ; french : sapajou apelle ; spanish : capuchino de copete .
the range of the capuchin monkeys includes central america ( honduras ) and middle south america ( middle brazil , eastern peru , paraguay ) . capuchin monkeys generally resemble the friars of their namesake .
the white - headed capuchin was one of the many species originally described by linnaeus in his 18th century work , systema naturae . it is a member of the family cebidae , the family of new world monkeys containing capuchin monkeys , squirrel monkeys , tamarins and marmosets . it is the type species for the genus cebus , the genus that includes all the capuchin monkeys . it is a member of the
the kaapori capuchin monkey ( cebus kaapori ) is a capuchin monkey endemic to brazil . this species is found in the brazilian states of para and maranhao . formerly considered a subspecies of the weeper capuchin ( cebus olivaceus ) , it was recently elevated to species status . conservation status – vulnerable .
capuchin monkeys belong to the new world monkey group , native only to central and south america . the capuchin monkey is active during the day and generally lives and travels through trees . [ 1 ]
, causing them generate more branches and possibly additional fruit , and by accelerating germination of certain seeds when they pass through the capuchin ' s digestive tract . in addition , the white - headed capuchin sometimes kills acacia collinsii plants when it rips through the plant ' s branches to get to resident ant colonies .
the white - headed capuchin sometimes interacts with other sympatric monkey species . white - headed capuchins sometimes travel with and even groom geoffroy ' s spider monkeys . [ 11 ] [ 38 ] however , aggressive interactions between the capuchins and spider monkeys also occur . [ 42 ] interactions between the white - headed capuchin and mantled howler are infrequent , and sometimes result in the capuchins threatening the larger howlers . [ 38 ] however , affiliative associations between the capuchins and howlers do sometimes occur , mostly involving juveniles playing together . [ 42 ]
white - faced capuchin troops occupy home ranges of between 32 and 86 hectares ( 79 and 213 acres ) . [ 11 ] they travel between 1 and 3 kilometres ( 0 . 62 and 1 . 86 mi ) daily , averaging 2 kilometres ( 1 . 2 mi ) per day . [ 38 ] although they engage in activity that has been described as
territorial
, more recent research indicates that white - faced capuchin troops tend to behave aggressively to other white - faced capuchin troops regardless of where they meet , and the aggression is not necessarily intended to exclude the other troops from a specific home range . [ 39 ]
the white - headed capuchin ' s intelligence and ability to use tools allows them to be trained to assist paraplegics . [ 54 ] other species of capuchin monkeys are also trained in this manner . [ 55 ] white - headed capuchins can also be trained for roles on television and movies , such as marcel on the television series friends . [ 56 ] they were also traditionally used as organ grinder monkeys . [ 57 ]
fruit can make up between 50 % and 67 % or more of the capuchin ' s diet .
occasionally eats insects or other small invertebrates . according to a year - long study in peru ' s manu national park , white - fronted capuchins only seek out invertebrates when traveling to fruiting trees , or when droughts reduce fruit availability . other food sources in times of drought include palm nuts , figs , and nectar . ( terborgh , 1992 ) .
the weeper capuchin monkey ( cebus olivaceus ) , is a new world capuchin monkey from south america . it is found in brazil , guyana , french guiana , suriname and venezuela . conservation status – least concern .
the white - faced capuchin ( c . capucinus ) is found in central america from the southern region of mexico , south into colombia . white - faced capuchins live in dry or wet forests , and in mangroves . the color of their fur is pale cream to white on their bellies and the upper parts of their arms and legs , with black fur on their backs and lower limbs . they have white fur on their faces and a black cap . many older white - faced capuchins have a ruff ( fringe ) of hair on their foreheads and crowns . the average weight for males is 7 lb ( 3 . 5 kg ) and 5 lb ( 2 . 5 kg ) for females .
in captivity , it has been known to use tools to get to food or to defend itself , and in one case a white - headed capuchin used a squirrel monkey as a projectile , hurling it at a human observer .
the large - headed capuchin monkey ( cebus apella macrocephalus ) , is a subspecies of the tufted capuchin from south america . it is found in brazil , colombia , ecuador and peru . conservation status – least concern .
perry , s . ( 1996 ) .
intergroup encounters in wild white - faced capuchins , cebus capucinus .
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several non - primate animal species tend to follow troops of white - faced monkeys or are otherwise attracted by their presence .
the diet of the capuchin monkey is more varied than other monkeys in the family cebidae . capuchin monkeys are omnivores , eating not only fruits , nuts , seeds and buds , but also insects , spiders , bird eggs and small vertebrates . capuchin monkeys living near water will also eat crabs and shellfish by cracking their shells with stones .
the white - fronted capuchin monkey ( cebus albifrons ) , is a new world primate , endemic to six different countries in south america : bolivia , brazil , colombia , venezuela , ecuador and peru . the species is also divided into several different subspecies . just like any other capuchin monkey , it is also an omnivorous animal , feeding primarily on fruits , although it can also eat invertebrates and other plant parts . it is a polygamous animal and lives on fairly large groups ( 15 up to 35 individuals ) , giving birth to a single young at 2 year intervals . conservation status – least concern .
perry , s . ( 1996 . ) .
intergroup encounters in wild white - faced capuchins , cebus capucinus .
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the face is pink or a white - cream color and may have identifying marks such as dark brows or dark fur patches .
the white - headed capuchin has mostly black fur . it has white or yellow fur on the neck , throat , chest , shoulders , and upper arms . [ 8 ] the face is pink or a white - cream color . the face can sometimes have marks like dark brows or dark fur patches . [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ] there is also an area of black fur on the top of the head . [ 8 ] [ 11 ] [ 8 ] [ 12 ]
white - headed capuchins have mostly black fur , with white to yellowish fur around the naked , pinkish face and on the shoulders ; and , of course , white throats . a v - shaped area of black fur on the crown of the head is distinctive . the tip of the tail is often held coiled , giving white - headed capuchins the nickname ‘ringtail’ . adults may reach a length of 435 millimetres and a weight of 3 . 9 kilograms . their tail is prehensile . conservation status – least concern .
boinski , s .
use of a club by a wild white - faced capuchin ( cebus capucinus ) to attack a venomous snake ( bathrops asper ) .
american journal of primatology 4 , no . 2 ( 1998 ) : 177–179 .
one of the unusual features of the kinship structure of the white - headed capuchin , relative to other primate species , is the high degree of relatedness within groups that results from the long tenures of alpha males who sire most of the offspring .
group size ranges from 15 to 35 members . groups are typically led by a dominant male and female . aggressive interactions constitute only about 10 % of social interactions . white - fronted capuchins are highly social and spend a lot of time in reciprocal grooming , however , dominant males and females receive a large proportion of grooming and rarely groom other individuals ( smuts et al . , 1987 ) .
the blond capuchin monkey ( cebus queirozi ) is a claimed new capuchin monkey species that was discovered in early 2006 by zoology researchers from the federal university in pernambuco , near recife , northeastern brazil . pontes said that ‘as soon as i saw the monkey with its golden - yellow hair and the white tiara on its head , i knew it was a new species’ .
the diet can vary between the rainy and dry season . for example , in guanacaste , costa rica the white - headed capuchin can eat a wide variety of fruits as well as caterpillars in the early rainy season ( june to november ) . but during the dry season , only figs and a few other types of fruit are available . during the dry season , chitinous insects , ant and wasp larvae and vertebrates become a particularly important part of the white - headed capuchin ' s diet . access to water can also become an issue during the dry season . the white - headed capuchin likes to drink daily , so in forests where water holes dry up during the dry season , there can be competition between troops over access to the remaining water holes .
the diet can vary between the rainy and dry season . for example , in guanacaste , costa rica the white - headed capuchin can eat a wide variety of fruits as well as caterpillars in the early rainy season ( june to november ) . but during the dry season , only figs and a few other types of fruit are available . during the dry season , chitinous insects , ant and wasp larvae and vertebrates become a particularly important part of the white - headed capuchin ' s diet . access to water can also become an issue during the dry season . the white - headed capuchin likes to drink daily , so in forests where water holes dry up during the dry season , there can be competition between troops over access to the remaining water holes .
are threatened by habitat destruction due to logging and forest clearing . they are not currently endangered because their habitats continue to be fairly widespread and population numbers remain fairly high . white - fronted capuchins are also hunted for meat in some areas . while this hunting is not excessive and simply maintains the population at a slightly lower level , it is a potential threat ( smuts et al . , 1987 ) .
perry , s . ( 1998 ) .
male - male social relationships in wild white - faced capuchins , cebus capucinus .
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access to water can also become an issue during the dry season . the white - headed capuchin likes to drink daily , so in forests where water holes dry up during the dry season , there can be competition between troops over access to the remaining water holes .
the tufted capuchin monkey ( cebus apella ) , also known as brown capuchin or black - capped capuchin is a new world primate from south america . it is one of the more widespread species of primates in the neotropics . tufted capuchins are omnivorous animals , mostly feeding on fruits and invertebrates , although they sometimes feed on small vertebrates ( lizards and bird chicks ) and other plant parts .
the diet can vary between the rainy and dry season . for example , in guanacaste , costa rica the white - headed capuchin can eat a wide variety of fruits as well as caterpillars in the early rainy season ( june to november ) . [ 47 ] but during the dry season , only figs and a few other types of fruit are available . [ 47 ] during the dry season , chitinous insects , ant and wasp larvae and vertebrates become a particularly important part of the white - headed capuchin ' s diet . [ 47 ] access to water can also become an issue during the dry season . the white - headed capuchin likes to drink daily , so in forests where water holes dry up during the dry season , there can be competition between troops over access to the remaining water holes . [ 47 ]
, 1975 . comparison of the behavior and ecology of red colobus and black - and - white colobus monkeys in uganda : a summary . in :
the white - headed capuchin also uses tools in other ways . it has been known to beat snakes with sticks in order to protect itself or to get the snake to release an infant . in captivity , it has been known to use tools to get to food or to defend itself , and in one case a white - headed capuchin used a squirrel monkey as a projectile , hurling it at a human observer . some populations also use trees or other hard surfaces as anvils in order to crack mollusks . and it sometimes uses sticks as probes to explore openings .
during the mosquito season , capuchin monkeys crush up millipedes and rub the remains on their backs . this acts as a natural insect repellent .
it is very common in costa rica and panama , but the monkey has been thrown out from honduras and much of nicaragua . many honduran capuchin monkeys were captured and relocated to the island of roatán , and many nicaraguan capuchin monkeys were captured and relocated to the island of ometepe .
it is very common in costa rica and panama , but the monkey has been thrown out from honduras and much of nicaragua . many honduran capuchin monkeys were captured and relocated to the island of roatán , and many nicaraguan capuchin monkeys were captured and relocated to the island of ometepe .
the white - headed capuchin also uses tools in other ways . it has been known to beat snakes with sticks in order to protect itself or to get the snake to release an infant . in captivity , it has been known to use tools to get to food or to defend itself , and in one case a white - headed capuchin used a squirrel monkey as a projectile , hurling it at a human observer . it has been historically noted that the species is often able to recognize , and therefore avoid baited cage traps , and hidden net snares are often the only way to capture this monkey .
agile and lean , capuchin monkeys weigh only 3 - 9 pounds ( 1 . 36 - 4 . 9 kilograms ) . the fur of the capuchin monkey varies , but is most commonly seen with cream or light tan coloring around the face , neck and shoulders . the rest of its coat is dark brown . the hair is shorter and darker on the capuchin ' s back than on other parts of its body . the face of this cute monkey will range from white to pink in color . the tail is long , covered in hair and is partially able to wrap around branches .
the white - headed capuchin lives in central america and a small part of south america . in central america , its home includes honduras , nicaragua , costa rica and panama . it has also been seen in eastern guatemala and southern belize , but these reports are unconfirmed . in south america the white - headed capuchin lives in the extreme north - western part between the pacific ocean and the andes mountains in colombia and ecuador . it is among the most commonly seen monkeys in central america ' s national parks , such as manuel antonio national park , corcovado national park , santa rosa national park and soberania national park .
perry , s . ( 1998 ) .
male - male social relationships in wild white - faced capuchins , cebus capucinus .
. behaviour 135 : 1–34 .
capuchin monkeys live in central america and south america . they make their home in trees , traveling during the day and sleeping in the trees at night .
. it is mostly black , but with a pink face and white on much of the front part of the body , giving it its common name . it has a distinctive
the white - headed capuchin is found in much of central america and a small portion of south america . in central america , its range includes much of honduras , nicaragua , costa rica and panama . it has also been reported to occur in eastern guatemala and southern belize , but these reports are unconfirmed . in south america the white - headed capuchin is found in the extreme north - western strip between the pacific ocean and the andes mountains in colombia and northwestern ecuador . it is among the most commonly seen monkeys in central america ' s national parks , such as manuel antonio national park , corcovado national park , santa rosa national park and soberania national park .
capuchin monkeys are featured in the movies outbreak , pirates of the caribbean : the curse of the black pearl ( and its sequels ) , the zookeeper film , george of the jungle , and the hangover part ii . ross geller ( david schwimmer ) on the nbc sitcom friends had a capuchin monkey named marcel .
university of california - los angeles .
how new behaviors appear and spread among capuchin monkeys .
sciencedaily . urltoken ( accessed august 25 , 2017 ) .
the white - headed capuchin lives in central america and a small part of south america . in central america , its home includes honduras , nicaragua , costa rica and panama . [ 3 ] it has also been seen in eastern guatemala and southern belize , but these reports are unconfirmed . [ 3 ] in south america the white - headed capuchin lives in the extreme north - western part between the pacific ocean and the andes mountains in colombia and ecuador . [ 3 ] it is among the most commonly seen monkeys in central america ' s national parks , such as manuel antonio national park , corcovado national park , santa rosa national park and soberania national park . [ 63 ]
manson jh , gros - louis j , perry s ( 2004 ) .
three apparent cases of infanticide by males in wild white - faced capuchins ( cebus capucinus )
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is one of the smaller species of the capuchin group . the head is small in comparison to the body and the torso is slender with long , narrow limbs .
when presented with a reflection , capuchin monkeys react in a way that indicates an intermediate state between seeing the mirror as another individual and recognizing the image as self .
their body , arms , legs and tail are all darkly ( black or brown ) coloured , while the face , throat and chest are white coloured and their head has a black cap . capuchin monkeys reach a length of 30 to 56 centimetres ( 12 – 22 inches ) , with tails that are just as long as their body . capuchin monkeys weigh up to 1 . 3 kilograms ( 2 – 3 pounds ) , with brains of mass 35 – 40 grams . they are considered the most intelligent new world monkeys .
the white - headed capuchin has a polygamous mating system . the male can mate with many females . the dominant male usually fathers most of the young . the dominant male is more likely to mate when the female is the most fertile . dominant males avoid breeding with their own daughters who are members of the troop . this is rare among new world monkeys .
jack , k . & fedigan , l . ( 2004 ) .
male dispersal patterns in white - faced capuchins , cebus capucinus part 1 : patterns and causes of natal emigration
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jack , k . & fedigan , l . ( 2004 ) .
male dispersal patterns in white - faced capuchins , cebus capucinus part 2 : patterns and causes of secondary dispersal
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manson jh , gros - louis j , & perry s . ( 2004 ) .
three apparent cases of infanticide by males in wild white - faced capuchins ( cebus capucinus )
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also , higher densities of white - headed capuchins are found in older areas of forest and in areas containing evergreen forest , as well as areas with more water availability during the dry season .
weeper capuchins ( c . nigrivittatus ) are found north of the amazon and north and east of the rio negro in brazil , the guianas , and central venezuela . females weigh less than 5 lb ( 2 . 5 kg ) and males weigh around 6 lb ( 3 kg ) . their colorings are like the white - faced capuchins but there is less contrast between the dark and light colors . they have a narrow crown patch that comes to a marked point on their foreheads . they also live in dry and wet forests and mangroves as do the white - faced capuchin .
white - fronted capuchins are a monkey of the new world and one of the smallest within the capuchin group . their head is small compared to their body , their torso is slender and they have long , narrow limbs . they are a light brown color on their back and lighter underneath , often in shades of red and yellow . the fur on their back is long and soft , in contrast to the short coarser fur of their underparts . the crown of their head has a dark , round patch . females sometimes possess a tuft of hair behind this patch . their face is sparsely covered with pale colored hair , through which their peach - colored flesh can be seen . the color of their limbs ranges from yellows to reddy browns . the males are larger than females and the male’s tail may have a lighter tip .


the black carp ( mylopharyngodon piceus ) or black chinese roach is a species of cyprinid fish and the sole species of the genus mylopharyngodon .

it is native to lakes and rivers in east asia , ranging from the amur basin , through china , to vietnam .

it is widely cultivated for food and chinese medicine .

the black carp can reach up to 1.8 m ( 5.9 ft ) in length and 35 kg ( 77 lb ) in weight .

it generally feeds on snails and mussels .

the average length is 60 – 120 cm ( 23.5 – 47 in ) .

black carp , together with bighead , silver , and grass carps , make up the culturally important " four famous domestic fishes " used in polyculture in china for over a thousand years , and known as " asian carp " in the united states .

black carp are not as widely distributed worldwide as the other three .

in china , black carp are the most highly esteemed and expensive foodfish among the four domestic fishes , and partly because of its diet and limited food supply , is the most scarce and expensive in the marketplace .

black carp

more information on black carp and black carp distribution in the united states : u . s . geological survey animated map * u . s . geological survey black carp fact sheet identification of black carp and grass carp
urltoken - black carp university of georgia . center for invasive species and ecosystem health .
fws fact sheet on black carp draft environmental assesment draft economic analysis asian carp prevention and control act ( hr . 3049 and s . 1402 )
black carp ( jul 2002 ; pdf | 449 kb ) doi . fws . invasive species program .
black carp feed on mollusks and snails , consuming up to 20 % of their body weight per day .
black carp found at river mile 137 of illinois river in april of 2017 . photo courtesy of aaron roberts
while adult black carp have been found sporadically in the mississippi , the november discovery near cape girardeau of juvenile fish among the hundreds of fish caught showed the black carp population in the river is higher than scientists expected , missouri department of conservation resource scientist quinton phelps said , and that there’s a “high probability” that more black carp were caught .
what to do if you think you have found an asian carp ( 2010 ; pdf | 584 kb ) asian carp regional coordinating committee . see asian carp newsroom for updated news regarding asian carp response in the midwest .
resembles many of the carp species in the united states . including its asian cousins : grass carp ( ctenopharyngodon idella ) silver carp ( hypophthalmichthys molitrix ) largescale silver carp ( hypophthalmichthys harmandi ) bighead carp ( hypophthalmichthys nobilis ) common goldfish ( carassius auratus ) crucian carp ( carassius carassius ) mud carp ( cirrhinus molitorella ) also resembles the common carp ( cyprinus carpio ) ( common carp are european , not asian , and are sometimes considered
native
because they have been in the us since the 1800s )
a black carp captured this april in the illinois river by a commercial fisher highlights a unique partnership between fishers , the illinois department of natural resources , and southern illinois university . for surrendering this black carp , the commercial fisher received a $ 100 bounty , and in turn , helped resource agencies learn a little more about the range of black carp in the illinois river . the black carp was found south of peoria , illinois near copperas creek lock and extends the upstream detection of the species by 110 miles .
nonindigenous aquatic species database . fact sheet - black carp . usgs , gainesville , fl . [ accessed sep 16 , 2014 ] .
u . s . present : the black carp has been reported in arkansas , illinois , mississippi , and missouri . texas : while the black carp has been used in aquaculture in states as close as louisiana for decades , currently there are no reported texas invasions .
illustrations and detailed information useful for the positive identification of this species appear in nico et al . ( 2005 ) and schofield et al . ( 2005 ) . an identification key to introduced asian carps and other cyprinids , including black carp , is provided by schofield et al . ( 2005 ) . the black carp closely resembles the grass carp ctenopharyngodon idella . the two species are similar in overall body shape , size and placement of fins . both black carp and grass carp have very large scales . in contrast to grass carp , the black carp is slightly darker in coloration ( not black ) and its pharyngeal teeth ( throat teeth ) are large and similar in appearance to human molars , an adaptation for crushing the shells of mollusks ( nico et al . 2005 ) commercial fishers in louisiana have noted that black carp also have a somewhat pointed snout , a character they find useful in distinguishing it from grass carp . juveniles and larvae may be difficult to distinguish from those of grass carp and certain other cyprinids . illustrations and descriptions of juvenile and larval asian carps , including black carp , appear in nico et al . ( 2005 ) and chapman ( 2006 ) .
the black carp is one of four species of asian carp that threaten waterways in the central united states . as molluscivores , black carps consume native freshwater mussels and snails that live in our large rivers . 26 freshwater mussel species native to illinois are state - threatened or endangered , twelve of which are federally listed . the asian carp regional coordinating committee’s collaborative 2017 asian carp action plan recognizes the informational needs for black carp control and management , and is further addressing this need in the annual monitoring and response plan which focuses on the upper illinois waterway .
commercial fishers are valuable in the cooperative effort to better understand black carp because they are skilled in fishing large rivers throughout the region . beyond the illinois river , the bounty program also accounts for the majority of adult black carp reported in the rest of the country . in addition to commercial fishers , recreational anglers and bowfishers should be aware of these invasive fish and what to do if one is harvested . in appearance , black carp closely resemble the more common grass carp , another asian carp which is also found in large rivers of the central united states . proper identification of black carps is an essential component of the bounty program .
there is high potential that the black carp would negatively impact native aquatic communities by feeding on , and reducing , populations of native mussels and snails , many of which are considered endangered or threatened ( nico et al . 2005 ) . given their size and diet preferences , black carp have the potential to restructure benthic communities by direct predation and removal of algae - grazing snails . mussel beds consisting of smaller individuals and juvenile recruits are probably most vulnerable to being consumed by black carp ( nico et al . 2005 ) . furthermore , based on the fact that black carp attain a large size ( well over 1 meter long ) , both juvenile and adult mussels and snails of many species would be vulnerable to predation by this fish ( nico et al . 2005 ) . fish farmers report that black carp are very effective in reducing the numbers of snails in some ponds . recently , wui and engle ( 2007 ) argued that black carp can eliminate 100 % of the snails in a single pond . although their assumption that black carp are capable of eliminating all common pond snails in ponds is open to debate , the effectiveness of black carp in significantly reducing snail populations in aquaculture ponds indicates that any black carp occurring in the wild may cause significant declines in certain native mollusk populations in north american streams and lakes ( nico et al . 2005 ) . because the life span of black carp is reportedly over 15 years , sterile triploid black carp in the wild would be expected to persist many years and therefore have the potential to cause harm native mollusks by way of predation ( nico et al . 2005 ) .
black carp would compete with mollusk - eating native fish , including freshwater drum , redhorse species and the state threatened lake sturgeon , for limited food resources .
there is high potential that the black carp will negatively impact native aquatic communities by feeding on , and reducing , populations of native mussels and snails , many of which are considered endangered or threatened . given their size and diet preferences , black carp also have the potential to restructure benthic communities by direct predation and removal of algae - grazing snails and native mussels . furthermore , because the black carp can attain a large size ( well over 1 meter long ) , juvenile and adult mussels and many species of snails would be vulnerable to predation . since the life span of the black carp is reportedly over 15 years , sterile triploid black carp in the wild are expected to persist many years and therefore have the potential to cause harm native mollusks by way of predation . also , black carp juveniles feed on zooplankton and insect larvae while adults feed on benthic invertebrates such as snails and mussels , so many different resources maybe become exhausted .
chick et al . ( 2003 ) believed that their illinois capture was the first wild record of black carp in the united states , but nico et al . ( 2005 ) provided new information indicating that louisiana commercial fishers had been collecting black carp in louisiana since the early 1990s . however , until recently the louisiana commercial fishers thought that the black carp in their nets were just an unusual type of grass carp—somewhat darker and with a higher dorsal fin and more pointed head or snout ( nico et al . 2005 : xiii ) . the black carp that escaped in missouri may have been triploid and thus considered sterile ( anonymous 1994b ) . however , it also was rumored that these fish may have been brood stock . all wild black carp examined to date taken in louisiana waters have been found to be diploid ( nico et al . 2005 ) .
nonindigenous aquatic species database : point map - black carp doi . usgs . wetland and aquatic research center . provides detailed collection information as well as animated map .
because it’s a federal offense to carry a live black carp across state lines , anyone who finds one should kill it and try to bring it to authorities without freezing it , said chapman , who is expecting to get funding this fall to develop a bait that targets black carp while not endangering other species or the public .
black carp , like the other asian carps , are able to invade novel habitats and ecosystems readily due to a variety of factors . first , the carp are aggressive and prodigious feeders . individuals may consume as much as 20 % of their body mass in one day . further , black carp are explosive breeders . gaining sexual maturity after a few years , these carp may lay hundreds of thousands of eggs in one brood . unfortunately , as the carp mature and grow they produce even more eggs and increase their fecundity , allowing for further invasions .
nonindigenous aquatic species database : fact sheet - black carp doi . usgs . wetland and aquatic research center . provides distribution maps and collection information ( state and county ) .
black carp was first imported into the united states in the 1970s , and by the 1990s this species was being used in fish farms in several southern states to control pond snails . black carp were reported as having escaped into the osage river from a missouri fish farm during a major flood in april 1994 . due to its widespread use to control snails , escapees from aquaculture ponds have probably added to the wild population . during recent years there have been reports of black carp being captured in the wild . the first published report was that of a single black carp taken by a commercial fisher from horseshoe lake in southern illinois in march 2003 . other reports of captures have surfaced since .
voucher preserved specimens of the two wild - caught black carp taken in illinois are deposited in the ichthyological collection of southern illinois university - carbondale . several wild - caught black carp taken in louisiana waters were preserved and are in the possession of biologists at louisiana state university and at the u . s . geological survey - gainesville center in florida .
devaney et al . ( 2009 ) performed ecological niche modeling to examine the invasion potential for black carp and three other invasive cyprinids ( grass carp ctenopharyngodon idella , common carp cyprinus carpio , and tench tinca tinca ) . the majority of the u . s . between the mississippi river basin and the atlantic coast had a moderate to high predicted ecological suitability for this species , with the mississippi river drainage ( where individuals of black carp have been caught in the wild ) having the highest overall predicted suitability .
in aquaculture ponds ( nico et al . 2005 ) . the first known record of an introduction of black carp into open waters occurred in missouri in 1994 when thirty or more black carp along with several thousand bighead carp reportedly escaped into the osage river , missouri river drainage , when high water flooded hatchery ponds at an aquaculture facility near lake of the ozarks . recently , owners of the missouri facility where the escapes reportedly took place have denied that black carp ever escaped from their facility ( nico et al . 2005 ) . in any case , flooding of aquaculture facilities and associated numbers and types of escaped fishes are very poorly documented in the public record . there is evidence that large portions of the lower mississippi river basin where aquaculture farms are present have been subject to large - scale floods on a number of occasions over the past few decades . consequently , it is likely that the source of some or all of the black carp present in the lower mississippi river basin . nearly all fish farms with black carp are in lowland areas and flood events increase the probability that more black carp will eventually escape fish farms ( nico et al . 2005 : 245 ) . there is also risk that black carp may be spread by other means . according to one aquaculture farmer , hundreds of young black carp were accidentally included in shipments of live baitfish sent from arkansas to bait dealers in missouri as early as 1994 ( nico et al . 2004 : 5 ) . in addition , because of the continued widespread distribution of grass carp across the united states , there remains the possibility that shipments may inadvertently contain black carp ( nico et al . 2005 ) . juveniles , in particular , are difficult to distinguish from grass carp young . as such , nico et al . ( 2005 ) expressed concern over the increased risk that the species be misidentified and unintentionally introduced as
grass carp
to some areas .
black carp have been used in the aquaculture industry for decades so its removal in the near future seems unlikely . however , scientists , worried about an escape / colonization event , have urged fish farmers to use triploid black carp . these triploid individuals are sterile , so even if they do escape it will not lead to a breeding population . in fact , it is not illegal ( thanks to the lacey act ) to transport viable black carp across states . the lacey act has largely prevented the unwanted spread of black carp across the us . there is evidence that wild populations of black carp may have been present in the lower mississippi river basin , largely in and around the red river of louisiana , since the early 1990s . reproduction in the mississippi river has not been documented , but new information and recent collections suggest this species has likely established in the lower part of the mississippi basin .
the black carp is a blackish brown fish with blackish grey fins , an elongated and laterally compressed body . they average more than 3 feet in length and 33 pounds in weight , but can reach 5 feet in length and weigh up to 150 pounds . individuals of the species are known to live for at least 15 years . young black carp are difficult to distinguish from young grass carp ( ctenopharyngodon idella ) , another non - native species .
mississippi national river and recreation area - asian carp overview doi . national park service .
officials are asking the public to help stop the spread of black carp by not dumping their bait buckets indiscriminately and stocking ponds with fish from licensed vendors , phelps said . and in some states along the mississippi — including missouri , ohio , illinois and tennessee — any black carp caught in the wild can earn a $ 100 reward from southern illinois university , using money from the illinois department of resources .
the native range of black carp includes most major pacific ocean drainages of eastern asia from the amur river basin south to the west - pearl river basin , and possibly the red river of northern vietnam .
priority species : asian carp washington state recreation and conservation office . washington invasive species council .
ben - ami , f . , & heller , j . 2001 . biological control of aquatic pest snails by the black carp mylopharyngodon piceus . biological control , 22 ( 2 ) , 131 - 138 .
the black carp is a bottom - dwelling molluscivore that has been used by u . s . fish farmers to prey on and control disease - carrying snails in their farm ponds ; more recently , this species has been proposed as a biological control for the introduced zebra mussel dreissena polymorpha . although the subject has been debated , to date , there is no experimental evidence that indicates black carp would be effective in controlling zebra mussels . because black carp do not have jaw teeth and their mouths are relatively small , it is unlikely that these fish are capable of breaking apart zebra mussel rafts ( nico et al . 2005 ) .
aquatic invasive species : black carp ( apr 2009 ; pdf | 216 kb ) indiana department of natural resources . see also : invasive species for exotic animal and plant pests invading indiana , causing economic and visual damage
if they become established in the great lakes , black carp could pose a major threat to michigan’s native mussel populations , many of which are endangered , threatened , of special concern , or in need of conservation .
u . s . habitat : a freshwater fish , the black carp has found suitable habitat in the united states . the great lakes and mississippi river ( and others ) , offer the necessary habitat for a rapid growth in the population numbers of these fish . there are plenty of snail and mussel species for the fish to eat , however many of those species are already endangered and could be pushed to extinction by the black carp .
chick , j . h . , r . j . maher , b . m . burr , m . r . thomas . 2003 . first black carp captured in u . s . science . 300 : 1876 - 1877 .
wui , y . - s . & engle , c . r . 2007 . the economic impact of restricting use of black carp for snail control on hybrid striped bass farms . north american journal of aquaculture 69 : 127 - 138 .
this 2008 photo provided by the u . s . geological survey shows jeremy haley holding a 50 - pound black carp at the usgs laboratory , in columbia , mo . the discovery of two juvenile black carp in a ditch attached to the mississippi river in missouri is a troubling sign that the invasive species is reproducing in the wild , which could threaten already - endangered mollusks and native fish species in the river , research scientists said . ( duane chapman / u . s . geological survey via ap )
nico , l . g . , j . d . williams , and h . l . jelks . 2005 . black carp : biological synopsis and risk assessment of an introduced fish , american fisheries society special publication 32 , bethesda , md . 337 p .
kansas city • the discovery of two juvenile black carp in a ditch connected to the mississippi river in missouri is the first , troubling sign that the invasive species is reproducing in the wild and becoming more of a threat to already endangered mollusks and some native fish , scientists say .
black carp were brought to the u . s . in the 1970s to help fish farms fight snails , which carry parasites that are dangerous to several fish species . no native fish is as efficient and , at the time , farmers and the government didn’t want to use chemicals .
factsheet : asian carp pennsylvania state university . pennsylvania sea grant . see also : aquatic invasive species : resources for additional species information
“scientists really thought there were not enough adult black carp in the wild to find each other and reproduce , ” phelps said . “but what we found through this sampling is evidence there are enough to reproduce , and those young are surviving to a point where we are collecting them . ”
scientists from federal agencies including the u . s . fish and wildlife service and u . s . geological survey provide valuable analysis of the surrendered black carps . the most recent black carp reported near peoria , illinois was 28 inches in length and weighed eight pounds . analysis by the u . s . fish and wildlife service indicates that this fish was fertile , referred to as diploid , which is consistent with most fish recently captured in the bounty program . since the establishment of the bounty program in 2015 , 37 black carps have been collected . of these , 26 were collected in 2016 alone . four have been found in the illinois river .
this species was first brought into the united states in the early 1970s as a
contaminant
in imported grass carp stocks . these fish came from asia and were sent to a private fish farm in arkansas ( nico et al . 2005 ) . subsequent introductions of black carp into this country occurred in the early 1980s . during this period it was imported as a food fish and as a biological control agent to combat the spread of yellow grub
to report a black carp captured in the central united states from the mississippi , illinois , ohio or wabash rivers , please call a number below during regular business hours or report to your local natural resource agency . fish should be held cold , on ice , not alive , until passed to a natural resource agent .
nico , l . g . , j . d . williams , and h . l . jelks . 2005 . black carp : biological synopsis and risk assessment of an introduced fish , american fisheries society special publication 32 , bethesda , md . t . a . crowl . 1990 . life - history strategies of freshwater snail in response to stream permanence and predation : balancing conflicting demands . oecologia 84 : 238–243 . w . l . shelton , a . soliman and s . rothbard . 1995 . experimental observation on feeding biology of black carp ( mylopharyngodon piceus ) . bamidgeh 47 : pp . 59–67 . internet sources urltoken urltoken urltoken urltoken urltoken
“everyone is up in arms about damage from species like feral hogs , whitetail deer , and other native terrestrial species , ” he said . “the impact doesn’t seem to be as bad when the damage is under the water . but ( black carp ) is no different or less destructive than other invasive species’ interaction with native wildlife . ”
* updated on may 23 , 2017 to reflect the reported capture of a black carp at douglas lake near chillicothe , illinois , adjacent to the illinois river at approximately river mile 182 . the report was from a commercial fisher , although no specimen was provided . more information can be found on u . s . geological survey ' s nonindigenous aquatic species page .
black carp can grow to 150 pounds and are the most efficient prey of mollusks in freshwater streams , according to duane chapman , a research fish biologist with the u . s . geological survey . that’s a problem because the mississippi river basin has the most diverse mollusk population in the world , and three - fourths of the mussel species are threatened or endangered , he said .
schramm , h . l . , jr . & basler , m . c . 2005 . evaluation of capture methods and distribution of black carp in arkansas , louisiana , and mississippi : final report 1 june 2004 - 31 may 2005 submitted to region 4 , u . s . fish and wildlife service , fisheries , atlanta , georgia . mississippi state , mississippi : u . s . geological survey , mississippi cooperative fish and wildlife research unit .
aquatic invasive species : asian carp risk analysis for arizona ( oct 2011 ; pdf | 316 kb ) arizona game and fish department . see also : aquatic invasive species for additional risk analyses and related species information
freshwater aquatic invasive species in rhode island - asian carp ( sep 2010 ; pdf | 553 kb ) rhode island department of environmental management . office of water resources . see also : aquatic invasive animals for species of concern
devaney , s . c . , k . m . mcnyset , j . b . williams , a . t . peterson , and e . o . wiley . 2009 . a tale of four
carp
: invasion potential and ecological niche modeling . plos one 4 ( 5 ) : e5451 .
this species can be found in rivers , streams , or lakes ; however , it requires large rivers to reproduce ( nico et al . 2005 ) . reproduction takes place in late spring and summer when water temperatures and / or water levels rise ( nico et al . 2005 ) . both male and female black carp are broadcast spawners ; females are capable of releasing hundreds of thousands of eggs into flowing water , which then develop in the pelagic zone ( nico et al . 2005 ) . after fertilization , the eggs become semiboyant ( sukhanova , 1967 as cited in nico et al . 2005 ) . they hatch in 1 to 2 days , depending on water temperatures , and the yolk sac is absorbed in 6 to 8 days ( nico et al . 2005 ) . they become sexually mature at 4 to 6 years after which they migrate back to their spawning grounds ( nico et al . 2005 ) . successful reproduction is known only from riverine habitats ( nico et al . 2005 ) . their lifespan probably exceeds 15 years ( biro , 1999 ) .
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but it’s not just about losing the mollusk species — there’s a domino effect . lose the mollusks and there could be poorer water quality because some species clean impurities , as well as losing a food source for fish , muskrats , raccoons , otters and some birds , the conservation department said .
“a great number of species are in danger , species we’ve done a great deal of work to protect , ” chapman said . “now we have this new threat coming in . conceivably , one large fish in the wrong place could cause the extinction of an endangered species in one place in a year , before we even know it’s there . ”
“everyone was trying to help the environment , but it’s turned out to be a mistake , with potentially serious consequences , ” chapman said . it’s unclear how the species escaped from fish farms into the mississippi river , he said , though some blame flooding .
another important step is being mindful of rules involving invasive species and the potential dangers of bringing them into the country , phelps said .
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the nonindigenous occurrences section of the nas species profiles has a new structure . the section is now dynamically updated from the nas database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information . occurrences are summarized in table 1 , alphabetically by state , with years of earliest and most recent observations , and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed . the table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states , years , and drainages selected . references to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables .
based on asian records , large adults may be more than 1 . 5 m total length and 70 kg or more in weight ; the largest specimen , unconfirmed , from the chang ( yangtze ) river basin reportedly measured 2 . 2 m .
most major pacific drainages of eastern asia from the pearl river ( zhu jiang ) basin in china north to the amur river ( heilong jiang ) basin of china and far eastern russia ; possibly native to the honghe or red rivers of northern vietnam ( nico et al . 2005 ) .
table 1 . states with nonindigenous occurrences , the earliest and latest observations in each state , and the tally and names of hucs with observations† . names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records . the list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of mylopharyngodon piceus are found here .
( richardson , 1846 ) . pages 345 - 365 in p . banarescu ( ed . ) . the freshwater fishes of europe : volume 5 / i , cyprinidae 2 / i . aula - verlag , wiebelsheim , germany .
chapman , d . w . ( editor ) 2006 . early development of four cyprinids native to the yangtze river , china . reston virginia : us geological survey data series 239 . ( available online as urltoken
schofield , p . j . , j . d . williams , l . g . nico , p . fuller , and m . r . thomas . 2005 . foreign nonindigenous carps and minnows ( cyprinidae ) in the united states—a guide to their identification , distribution , and biology . scientific investigations report 2005 - 5041 . u . s . geological survey , tallahassee , florida . 103 p . ( available online at urltoken
nico , l . g . , and m . e . neilson , 2018 , mylopharyngodon piceus ( richardson , 1846 ) : u . s . geological survey , nonindigenous aquatic species database , gainesville , fl , urltoken revision date : 6 / 27 / 2018 , peer review date : 4 / 1 / 2016 , access date : 7 / 9 / 2018
this information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision . it is being provided to meet the need for timely best science . the information has not received final approval by the u . s . geological survey ( usgs ) and is provided on the condition that neither the usgs nor the u . s . government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information .
the data represented on this site vary in accuracy , scale , completeness , extent of coverage and origin . it is the user ' s responsibility to use these data consistent with their intended purpose and within stated limitations . we highly recommend reviewing metadata files prior to interpreting these data .
citation information : u . s . geological survey . [ 2018 ] . nonindigenous aquatic species database . gainesville , florida . accessed [ 7 / 9 / 2018 ] .
contact us if you are using data from this site for a publication to make sure the data are being used appropriately and for potential co - authorship if warranted . for queries involving fish , please contact pam fuller . for queries involving invertebrates , contact amy benson .
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injurious wildlife doi . fws . fish and aquatic conservation . includes species listed as injurious wildlife under the federal lacey act , which makes it illegal in the u . s . to import , export , or transport between states without a permit . see also : injurious wildlife : a summary of the injurious provisions of the lacey act ( dec 2017 ; pdf | 401 kb )
texas commission on environmental quality , galveston bay estuary program ; houston advanced research center ( harc ) .
invaders factsheet : asian carps ontario ' s invading species awareness program ( canada ) .
pest risk assessment for asian carps in oregon ( dec 15 , 2009 ; pdf | 90 kb ) oregon state library . oregon documents repository . prepared by : portland state university , center for lakes and reservoirs
integrated taxonomic information system . mylopharyngodon piceus . [ accessed jan 16 , 2016 ] .
to view pdf files , you must have adobe® acrobat® installed on your computer . to view multimedia files , you must have adobe® flash® installed on your computer .
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if possible , please take one or more photos of the invasive species you are reporting . also make note of the location , date and time of the observation . this will aid in verification of your report . you may be asked to provide your name and contact information if follow - up is needed .
habitat : large rivers and lakes but require large rivers for reproduction ( water current keeps their eggs from sinking to the bottom ) .
diet : their diet consists primarily of mussels and snails , but also includes freshwater shrimp , crayfish , and insects .
u . s . distribution : reported in arkansas , illinois , louisiana , mississippi and missouri .
potential means of introduction : illinois river or flood connections with great lakes waters .
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thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on the iucn red list of threatened species website , we are grateful for your input .
has been assessed as data deficient , due to the lack of information regarding species population size , current population , impacts of threats and harvest trends .
has originally an east asian distribution , from in most pacific river drainages , from the amur river to the west river ( xi jiang ) ( kottelat and freyhof 2007 ) . introduced in many countries worldwide for control populations of molluscan vectors of fish and human parasites . furthermore , used to removed dreissena mussels that clog hydroelectric plants .
naturally reproducing populations established only in amu darya ( turkmenistan ) and possible in tone drainages ( japan ) ( freyhof and kottelat 2007 ) .
in the second half of the 20th century , a massive decline in the abundance of this species was observed in its native distribution range . its current population trend is unknown .
inhabits large lowland river and lakes , preferably with clear water and high oxygen concentration ( kottelat and freyhof 2007 ) .
spawns for the first time at 6 - 11 years , females later than males ( at about 1000 mm sl and 15 kg , males at 900 mm and 11 kg , fecundity is about 700 - 800 thousand eggs ) . migrates upriver and spawns in open water during flood phase . eggs are pelagic or semipelagic and hatch while drifting downstream . if the river flow is blocked or if available river stretches are too short , eggs cannot drift for long enough and fail to develop . larvae migrate into floodplain lakes and channels with little or no current . larvae feed on zooplankton , then on ostracods and aquatic insects . at about 120 mm sl , juveniles start to feed on small snails and clams . larger juveniles and adults feed almost entirely on molluscs ( source : kottelat and freyhof 2007 ) .
major threats to this species are overfishing , river modifications such as dam construction and the conversion of floodplains into agriculture land and water pollution .
it is not known if there are any conservation measures in place . more research is needed .
to make use of this information , please check the < terms of use > .
photographer : rob cosgriff affiliation : illinois natural history survey source : urltoken copyright : ( cc by - ny 3 . 0 )
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illinois dnr : 217 . 557 . 0719 or 618 . 462 . 0362 southern illinois university : 618 . 453 . 6089 u . s . geological survey : 573 . 876 . 1866