The Aracá uakari (Cacajao ayresi), also known as the Ayres black uakari,[2] is a newly described species of monkey from the northwest Brazilian Amazon. It was found by Jean-Phillipe Boubli of the University of Auckland after following native Yanomamo Indians on their hunts along the Rio Aracá, a northern tributary of the Rio Negro.[4] It was subsequently described in 2008 together with the more westerly distributed Neblina uakari.[1] Until then, the black-headed uakari was the only species of mainly black uakari that was recognized.[5] Stephen F. Ferrari et al proposed treating the Aracá uakari as a subspecies of the black-headed uakari rather than as a separate species.[6][7]
Very little is known about the Aracá uakari, but based on present knowledge it has the smallest distribution of all species of uakaris (possibly as small as 5,000–6,000 square kilometres (1,900–2,300 sq mi)) and is the only one not found in any protected area.[2][9] Although few people live within its very remote distribution, it is hunted; at least seasonally.[2] It has been suggested it should be considered endangered,[9] but it is currently listed as least concern by the IUCN.[2]
References
^ abcBoubli, J. P.; M. N. F. da Silva; M. V. Amado; T. Hrbek; F. B. Pontual & I. P. Farias (2008). "A taxonomic reassessment of black uakari monkeys, Cacajao melanocephalus group, Humboldt (1811), with the description of two new species". International Journal of Primatology. 29: 723–749. doi:10.1007/s10764-008-9248-7. S2CID26561719.