Brazilian primates: past and present

Around 60% of all species of primates in the world are holding in Brazil, Madagascar, Indonesia and

the Democratic Republic of Congo. Consequently, these countries concentrates the greatest average

of primate species threatened, endangered, or critically endangered, according to parameters

established by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

There are 149 species and subspecies of primates in Brazil. They lived in their habitats close

to various native human groups long before the arrival of first European explorers in the 16^th century.

Given their sociability, groups of monkeys drew attention to hunters and naturalists and some

species, as the Alouatta guariba, were repeatedly described by colonists, naturalists and travelers who

testimonied how they used plants to self-medication without delay after being shot.

The link available below offers an amazing overview of the most interesting species of Brazilian

primates, and a singular and detailed panorama of the main Brazilian institution oriented to their

conservation, the Rio de Janeiro Primatology Center. Enjoy!

Animals and Society in Brazil