Piliocolobus – Red colobuses
Highly sensitive to hunting and habitat destruction, they are probably the most threatened genus of primates in Africa
The monkeys of this genus are exclusively found in western, eastern, and central Africa. For a long time, these monkeys were a part of the genus Procolobus and have only been recently added to this new genus. Moreover, they are also closely related to black-and-white colobus monkeys of the genus Colobus.
Piliocolobus monkeys are generally arboreal and are highly sensitive to habitat destruction as well as hunting. Some scientists also think that they are probably the most threatened taxonomic group of African primates. Nearly all species included in this genus, except for the Central African red colobus, have been declared Endangered or Critically endangered by the IUCN –a sign of grave concern.
Species in this genus
Western red colobus
They have complex stomachs that allow them to digest mature or toxic foliage that other monkeys cannot