Florida seems to be ground zero for invasive species threats. A great number of plants, animals and arthropods have invaded the Sunshine State. Five of these are primates, and one species, crab eating macaques, is currently getting lots of attention. They are not fully established in Florida yet, but some experts feel they could break out.
Until recently, Florida was monkey-free but all that has changed recently as some of our more distant cousins have established themselves in the state.
Rhesus macaques (Macaca mullata), Capuchins (family Cebus), Vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pegerythrus), common squirrel monkeys (Family Saimiri), spider monkeys (subfamily Atelinae), and the afore-mentioned crab eating macaques (Macaca fasicularis) are the “rogue’s gallery of invasive primates in Florida.
According to Britannica:
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“Macaques live in troops of varying size. The males dominate the troop and live within a clear but shifting dominance rank order. The ranking of females is longer-lasting and depends on their genealogical position. Macaques are somewhat more arboreal than baboons but are equally at home on the ground; they are also able to swim. Depending on the species, they live in forests, on plains, or among cliffs and rocky terrain. Macaques are omnivorous, and they possess large cheek pouches in which they carry extra food. Breeding occurs year-round in some (mostly tropical) species, but, among those living outside the tropics, it is seasonal. Single young are born after about six months’ gestation and become adult at four years. Macaques are considered highly intelligent but may be bad-tempered as adult”
“Macaques in general are the monkeys most widely used in biomedical research. In the 1950s crab-eating macaques were used extensively in studies that led to the development of the polio vaccine. In addition, crab-eating macaques and rhesus monkeys, in particular, have played important roles in cloning. Scientists first cloned a rhesus monkey through a process called embryonic cell nuclear transfer in 2001, and in 2018 the crab-eating macaque became the first primate cloned using the process of somatic cell nuclear transfer.” (Links in original)
Macaques have a tempestuous relationship with humans. In India they can be revered and also slaughtered. According to the Daytona Beach News Journal rhesus macaques are the most destructive. They can destroy vegetation, consume crops and can carry disease.
Crab eating macaques are closely related to the rhesus macaques and pose similar threats. Their propensity to eat crabs could impact fishing and other industries.
The concern over the potential invasion has led to a pre-emptive study from Penn State University.
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