ABSTRACT
Vervets (Chlorocebus spp.), also known as African green monkeys or savanna monkeys, are Old World monkeys that are frequently studied in biomedical research. Research areas have included immunology and vaccine development, neuroscience and Alzheimer’s disease, obesity and metabolism, and genetics, among others. There are multiple species/subspecies of vervets, and their taxonomy and common name usage are still actively debated. Vervets are one of the most widespread of the African monkeys, found across many regions of sub-Saharan Africa, with feral subpopulations located within the Caribbean. They live in multimale, multifemale social groups. Females are philopatric, with groups consisting of matrilines of closely related females, while males disperse at adolescence. Vervets are highly adaptable and are able to utilize a wide range of diets and habitats. While similar to macaques and baboons in many ways, there are a few key differences: vervets are territorial, semi-arboreal, and have less rigid dominance hierarchies; female vervets have relatively long canines and have no overt signs of menstruation or ovulation; and vervets have some unique patterns of behavior and vocalization not seen in other Old World monkeys. Understanding the natural history and unique characteristics of vervets should help enhance the well-being of these species in captivity.
