Panamian Monkeys

Panama Monkeys: Panama, officially known as the Republic of Panama, is a nation located on the isthmus that connects Central and South America.

Panama is home to 8 species of New World monkeys which make up 6 genera; however, none of these species are endemic to the nation. Examples of these species include the Panamanian night monkey (Aotus zonalis), the brown-headed spider monkey (Ateles fusciceps), and the mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata).

Interestingly, in 2012, 21 million-year-old teeth fossils were found in the Panama Canal; they were eventually confirmed to belong to the oldest known ancestor of the capuchin monkeys of today^[1].

Additionally, this discovery served as the oldest fossil-based evidence for the theory that monkeys once traveled across the sea from what is now South America to North America^[2].

Here are the different groups of monkeys living in Panama.

Black-Headed Spider Monkey

Species Name: Ateles fusciceps

The black-headed spider monkey (Ateles fusciceps) is a species of New-World monkey native to Central and South America. The species name “Ateles” is derived from the Greek word “ateleia” meaning imperfect or incomplete. It was likely chosen because these monkeys do not have a thumb. There are 2 additional sub-species of black-headed spider monkey namely Brown-headed spider monkey (Ateles fusciceps fusciceps) and Colombian spider monkey (Ateles fusciceps rufiventris).

Central American Squirrel Monkey

Species Name: Saimiri oerstedii

The Central American squirrel monkey also called the red-backed squirrel monkey, is a squirrel monkey type native to the Pacific coast of Panama and Costa Rica. Central American squirrel monkeys spend most of their lives in the middle and upper layers of the tree canopy.

Geoffroy's Spider Monkey

Species Name: Ateles geoffroyi

Geoffroy’s spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) also called the Central American spider monkey or black-handed spider monkey, is a species of spider monkey. The species name geoffroyi is honored by Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, a French naturalist. The Geoffroy’s spider monkey consists of five recognized subspecies residing in various parts of Central America and Mexico. These include the Hooded spider monkey (A. g. grisescens) in southern Mexico, the ornately-patterned Ornate spider monkey (A. g. ornatus) in Costa Rica and Panama, the Yucatan spider monkey (A. g. yucatanensis) in the Yucatan Peninsula, the Mexican spider monkey (A. g. vellerosus) in Veracruz, and the nominate Nicaraguan spider monkey subspecies (A. g. geoffroyi) found in Nicaragua, Honduras and northern Costa Rica.

Geoffroy's Tamarin

Species Name: Saguinus geoffroyi

Geoffroy’s tamarin, also called the Panamanian tamarin, red-crested tamarin, or rufous-naped marmoset tamarin, is a tamarin, a small monkey found in Colombia and Panama. In what may seem like a role reversal in many monkey species, Geoffroy’s tamarins are led by the oldest female in a group.

Gray-handed Night Monkey

Species Name: Aotus griseimembra

The gray-handed night monkey (Aotus griseimembra) is a small, nocturnal primate native to Colombia, Venezuela, and Panama. Known for its large owl-like eyes and gray limbs, this tree-dwelling monkey thrives in rainforest canopies and plays a vital role as a seed disperser. Monogamous and family-oriented, it relies on both parents—especially the father—for infant care. Though adaptable, habitat loss, hunting, and the pet trade threaten its survival, earning it a Vulnerable status on the IUCN Red List. Conservation efforts are crucial to preserve this unique night-dweller and its forest ecosystem.

Panamanian Night Monkey

Species Name: Aotus zonalis

The Panamanian night monkey or Chocoan night monkey (Aotus zonalis) is a species of night monkey formerly considered a subspecies of the grey-bellied night monkey in the Aotidae family. Panamanian night monkeys are sympatric with other species. They do not compete for resources with other animals in their range due to their alternate schedules.

Panamanian White-faced Capuchin

Species Name: Cebus imitator

The Panamanian white-faced capuchin (Cebus mimic), also called the Panamanian white-headed capuchin or the Central American white-faced capuchin is a mid-sized New World monkey in the Cebidae family. Native to Central American forests, the Panamanian white-faced capuchin is vital to rainforest ecology for its role in seed and pollen dispersal.

White-Throated Capuchin

Species Name: Cebus capucinus

White-throated capuchins, also called the white-headed capuchins, Colombian white-throated capuchins, and white-faced capuchins, are New World monkeys native to the tropical rainforests of western Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama.

Key References

^[1] – “Monkey ancestors rafted across the sea to North America | Science | AAAS”. Accessed October 02, 2022. Link.
^[2] – “Paleontologists find first fossil monkey in North America – but how did it get here? – News – University of Florida”. Accessed October 02, 2022. Link.

Panamian Monkeys