Colobus
| Black-and-white colobus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Mantled guereza (Colobus guereza) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Primates |
| Family: | Cercopithecidae |
| Subfamily: | Colobinae |
| Tribe: | Colobini |
| Genus: | Colobus Illiger, 1811 |
| Type species | |
| Simia polycomos | |
| Species | |
| |
The genus Colobus comprises the black-and-white colobus monkeys. It is a genus of Old World monkey native to Africa. The genus is closely related to the red colobus monkeys of genus Piliocolobus. There are six species assigned to this genus, and at least eight subspecies. They are generally found in high-density forests where they forage on leaves, flowers and fruit. Social groups of colobus are diverse, varying from group to group. Resident-egalitarian and allomothering relationships have been observed among the female population. Complex behaviours have also been observed in this species, including greeting rituals and varying group sleeping patterns. Colobi play a significant role in seed dispersal.