Primate Group Size and Abundance in the Caatinga Dry Forest, Northeastern Brazil |
| |
Authors: | Antonio Christian De A Moura |
| |
Institution: | 1. Darwin College and Department of Biological Anthropology, Cambridge University, Silver Street, Cambridge, CB3 9EU, U.K. 2. Laboratório Tropical de Primatologia, Departamento Sistemática e Ecologia – CCEN, Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Jo?o Pessoa, PB. 58059–900, Brazil
|
| |
Abstract: | The Caatinga dry forest poses a series of ecological challenges for mammals in general and primates in particular. The erratic
rainfall pattern impacts on plant diversity and phenological patterns; from year to year there is marked variability in fruit
production and failure to fruit is common. The harshness apparently accounts for the impoverished mammalian fauna. However,
data on primate abundance, distribution, and possible environmental effects on primate density are lacking in this type of
dry forest. I censused the primate community in 3 habitats of the Serra da Capivara National Park, Piaui, NE Brazil, over
a total distance of 318 km. Overall, the abundance of primates in the Caatinga dry forest is very low as a consequence of
low abundance of food resources both in space and time. Alouatta caraya (predominantly folivorous) occurs at extremely low density, and during the dry season are apparently confined to canyon areas,
where trees retain their leaves. Callithrix jacchus has morphological feeding specializations for gum-eating, and gum is an important resource during food bottleneck periods.
Nonetheless, Callithrix jacchus occurs at comparatively low densities. Group sizes for howlers and marmosets in the Caatinga are significantly smaller than
in other forest types. Contrarily, Cebus apella libidinosus had an average group size within the range reported for Amazonian and Atlantic forests. Researchers consider the generalized
diet of capuchins as the explanation for their similar abundance in different habitats, indicating relative independence from
ecological constraints. However, I suggest that capuchin foraging style and cognitive abilities are important factors accounting
for their unreduced group size and density even under extreme conditions. |
| |
Keywords: | cognitive foraging skills conservation feeding adaptations primate density |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|