Wild Things: Spider Monkeys, Fire Ants, Hagfish and More...
Dinosaur "thunder thighs" and fast-flying moths
- By Arcynta Ali Childs, T.A. Frail, Megan Gambino, Brian Switek and Sarah Zielinski
- Smithsonian magazine, May 2011
Spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) hangs by tail with mouth open. (Roy Toft / National Geographic Stock)
Spider monkeys have complex behaviors that vary from group to group, according to a comparison of five isolated populations in Central America. In some groups monkeys kiss, in others they aggressively shake branches at one another. The local traditions highlight the importance of learning in primates, especially when it comes to social behavior.
Learn more about spider monkeys at the Encyclopedia of Life.
Additional Sources
"Traditions in Spider Monkeys Are Biased towards the Social Domain," Claire J. Santorelli et al., PLoS ONE, February 23, 2011
"Convergent patterns of long-distance nocturnal migration in noctuid moths and passerine birds," Thomas Alerstam et al., Proceedings of the Royal Society B, March 9, 2011
"Adaptations to in situ feeding: novel nutrient acquisition pathways in an ancient vertebrate," Chris N. Glover et al., Proceedings of the Royal Society B, March 2, 2011
"Global Invasion History of the Fire Ant Solenopsis invicta," Marina S. Ascunce et al., Science, February 25, 2011
"A new sauropod dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Cedar Mountain Formation, Utah, USA," Michael P. Taylor et al., Acta Paleontologica Polonica, March 2011
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