Foa's red colobus (Piliocolobus foai) or the Central African red colobus, is a species of red colobus monkey found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[1]
Several other species of red colobus were formerly considered subspecies of Piliocolobus foai by at least some authors but have since been elevated to full species. These include:[4][5][6]
It was previously thought that Foa's red colobus was made of two formerly separate species, one originally from highlands and the other originally from lowlands, which interbred into a single species. The highland species has since been split into P. foai sensu stricto, while the lowland species has been split into P. lulindicus.[7][8]
Foa's red colobus is known only from two widely separated regions in the Itombwe Mountains of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It likely once had a larger range throughout the Albertine Rift in the past, but past deforestation in the area is thought to have led to a major range contraction.[7][8]
Foa's red colobus has long red and black fur on its back and head, with light underparts.[1][7] Males have a body length excluding tail of between 50 and 69 centimetres (20 and 27 in) with a tail that is between 62 and 67 centimetres (24 and 26 in) long.[7] Males typically weigh between 9 and 13 kilograms (20 and 29 lb) and females typically weigh between 7 and 9 kilograms (15 and 20 lb). It has smaller teeth than most other red colobus species.[7]
Foa's red colobus is arboreal and diurnal.[1] It has a varied diet which includes leaves, buds, fruit and flowers.[1] It is frequently hunted for bushmeat.[7]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Foa's red colobus (Piliocolobus foai) or the Central African red colobus, is a species of red colobus monkey found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
