Preuss's red colobus

Preuss's red colobus (Piliocolobus preussi) is a red colobus primate species endemic to the Cross-Sanaga Rivers ecoregion. An important population occurs in Korup National Park, Southwest Province, Cameroon, but the species' distribution is localized (groups are frequently encountered near the main tourist camps). The species is considered present in adjacent Cross River National Park - Oban Division in Nigeria^[2] and hunter reports suggest that few groups remain in Nkwende Hills and Nta Ali Forest Reserve in the broader Korup region.^[3] A population is also present in Ebo forest, Littoral Province of Cameroon.^[2]

Preuss's red colobus[1]
Conservation status
Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[2]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Primates
Suborder:	Haplorhini
Infraorder:	Simiiformes
Family:	Cercopithecidae
Genus:	Piliocolobus
Species:	P. preussi
Binomial name
Piliocolobus preussi Matschie, 1900
Preuss's Red Colobus range

Conservation status

The Preuss's red colobus is critically endangered according to the IUCN Red List due to hunting pressure and destruction of its habitat. Large portion of the remaining groups are included within protected areas (Korup National Park, Cross River National Park, and the proposed national park at Ebo).^[2]

Ecology

Like other colobus monkeys, it is primarily a leaf eater.

Description

Preuss's red colobus has a black head, a black back ticked with orange, and bright red tail, limbs and cheeks.^[4]

Taxonomy

Preuss's red colobus has, in the past, been considered a subspecies of P. pennantii and P. badius.^[4]

References

1. Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 170. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
2. Linder, J.; Morgan, B.J.; Abwe, E.E.; Jost Robinson, C.A.; Imong, I.; Oates, J.F. (2019). "Piliocolobus preussi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T41026A92633245. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T41026A92633245.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
3. Astaras, C. (2009). Ecology and Status of the Drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus) in Korup National Park: Implications for Conservation. PhD dissertation, Gerog-August-University of Göttingen, pp. 287.
4. Rowe, Noel (1996). The Pictorial Guide to the Living Primates. p. 175.