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Shedden A, Dunn JC, Martínez-Mota R, Cristóbal-Azkárate J, Gillingham PK, MacSwiney-González C, Newton AC, Rodríguez-Luna E, Korstjens AH. Forest maturity has a stronger influence on the prevalence of spider monkeys than howler monkeys in an anthropogenically impacted rainforest landscape. Primates 2022; 63:283-291. [PMID: 35218456 PMCID: PMC9061665 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-022-00980-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The transformation and depletion of primary forest over the past few decades have placed almost half of the world’s primate species under the threat of extinction. Developing any successful conservation program for primates requires distribution and demography data, as well as an understanding of the relationships between these factors and their habitat. Between March and June 2010 and 2011 we collected data on the presence and demographic parameters of howler and spider monkeys by carrying out surveys, and validated our findings using local knowledge. We then examined the relationship between forest type and the presence of these primates at 54 sites in the northern area of the Selva Zoque Corridor, Mexico. We detected 86 spider monkey groups across 31 plots and censused 391 individuals (mean ± SD = 5.9 ± 3.0 individuals per sub-group, n = 67 sub-groups). We also detected 69 howler monkey groups across 30 plots and censused 117 individuals (mean ± SD = 5.3 ± 2.4 individuals per group, n = 22 groups). Howler monkey presence was not related to any specific vegetation type, while spider monkeys were present in areas with a higher percentage of tall forest (trees > 25 m high). Overall, spider monkeys were more prevalent than howler monkeys in our sampling sites and showed demographic characteristics similar to those in better protected areas, suggesting that the landscape features in the Uxpanapa Valley are suitable for their needs. Conversely, howler monkey presence was found to be more limited than in other regions, possibly due to the extended presence of spider monkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Shedden
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, BH12 5BB, Dorset, UK.
| | - J C Dunn
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge Campus, East Road, Cambridge, CB1 1PT, UK
- Biological Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3QG, UK
- Department of Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - R Martínez-Mota
- Centro de Investigaciones Tropicales, José María Morelos #44, Zona Centro, C.P. 91000, Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | - J Cristóbal-Azkárate
- Department of Basic Psychological Processes and Their Development, University of the Basque Country, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - P K Gillingham
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, BH12 5BB, Dorset, UK
| | - C MacSwiney-González
- Centro de Investigaciones Tropicales, José María Morelos #44, Zona Centro, C.P. 91000, Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | - A C Newton
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, BH12 5BB, Dorset, UK
| | - E Rodríguez-Luna
- Centro de Investigaciones Tropicales, José María Morelos #44, Zona Centro, C.P. 91000, Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | - A H Korstjens
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, BH12 5BB, Dorset, UK
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Silvestre SM, Setchell JM, Calle-Rendón BR, de Toledo JJ, Hilário RR. The occurrence of the red-handed howler monkey (Alouatta belzebul) in amazonian savannas is related to forest patch area and density of flooded area palms. Am J Primatol 2020; 82:e23210. [PMID: 33124052 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
All Neotropical primates are arboreal and thus depend on forests for their survival. Arboreality puts many Neotropical primates at risk of extinction due to the high rates of deforestation in the tropics. We assessed the influence of vegetation structure and forest patch attributes on the occurrence of the threatened red-handed howler monkey (Alouatta belzebul) in an Amazonian savanna. Using a sample of 38 forest patches in a region of approximately 2000 km2 in the state of Amapá, northern Brazil, we used logistic regression to find the best predictors of the occurrence of A. belzebul. We assessed patch area, patch isolation, the proportion of seasonally flooded forest in the patch, the density of flooded area palms, forest height, canopy cover, and diameter at breast height of trees. Patch area and palm density were the best predictors of the occurrence of A. belzebul in forest patches, both having a positive effect on the probability of occurrence. Our results indicate that areas of flooded forest in forest patches may be keystone habitats for A. belzebul living in Amazonian savannas. The observed effect of palm density on A. belzebul suggests that this variable is useful for planning conservation actions, including the selection of areas for protection and management strategies for areas inhabited by this primate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saulo M Silvestre
- Postgraduate Program in Tropical Biodiversity, Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Amapá, Macapá, Brazil
| | | | - Bayron R Calle-Rendón
- Postgraduate Program in Tropical Biodiversity, Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Amapá, Macapá, Brazil
| | - José J de Toledo
- Postgraduate Program in Tropical Biodiversity, Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Amapá, Macapá, Brazil
| | - Renato R Hilário
- Postgraduate Program in Tropical Biodiversity, Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Amapá, Macapá, Brazil.,Postgraduate Program in Environmental Sciences, Department of Environment and Development, Federal University of Amapá, Macapá, Brazil.,Faculty of Sciences, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
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Alcocer‐Rodríguez M, Arroyo‐Rodríguez V, Galán‐Acedo C, Cristóbal‐Azkarate J, Asensio N, Rito KF, Hawes JE, Veà JJ, Dunn JC. Evaluating extinction debt in fragmented forests: the rapid recovery of a critically endangered primate. Anim Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Alcocer‐Rodríguez
- Centre Especial de Recerca en Primats Facultat de Psicologia Universitat de Barcelona Barcelona Spain
| | - V. Arroyo‐Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) Morelia México
| | - C. Galán‐Acedo
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) Morelia México
| | - J. Cristóbal‐Azkarate
- Oinarrizko Psikologia Prosezuak eta Garapena Saila Psikologiako Fakultatea Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea Donostia Gipuzkoa Spain
| | - N. Asensio
- Gizarte‐Psikologia eta Portaera Zientzien Metodologia Psikologia Fakultatea Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea Donostia Gipuzkoa Spain
| | - K. F. Rito
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) Morelia México
| | - J. E. Hawes
- School of Life Sciences Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge UK
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management Norwegian University of Life Sciences 1430 Ås Norway
| | - J. J. Veà
- Centre Especial de Recerca en Primats Facultat de Psicologia Universitat de Barcelona Barcelona Spain
| | - Jacob C. Dunn
- School of Life Sciences Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge UK
- Division of Biological Anthropology University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
- Department of Cognitive Biology University of Vienna Vienna Austria
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Klass K, Van Belle S, Campos-Villanueva A, Mercado Malabet F, Estrada A. Effects of variation in forest fragment habitat on black howler monkey demography in the unprotected landscape around Palenque National Park, Mexico. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9694. [PMID: 32864215 PMCID: PMC7425640 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Habitat loss and fragmentation are leading threats to biodiversity today, and primates are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic habitat disturbance. However, few studies have examined how differential effects of variation in forest fragment characteristics on males and females in a primate population may affect demography and population persistence. We quantified the effects of variation in forest fragment characteristics on the within-fragment demography of black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) in forest fragments around Palenque National Park, Mexico, and how these effects differed between adult males and females. We quantified forest loss in the landscape between 2000 and 2017, and used a redundancy analysis to examine the effects of 15 variables quantifying fragment dimensions, forest composition and physical structure, and isolation on fragment population size and density, the proportion of adult males and females in the fragment population, and the mean number of adult males and females per group in 34 fragments (N = 393 monkeys). We hypothesized that (i) population size is positively correlated with fragment area, while population density is negatively correlated, and (ii) the composition of fragment populations results from differential effects of fragment variables on adult males and females. Forest cover decreased by 23.3% from 2000 to 2017. Our results showed a significant effect of fragment variables on population demography in fragments, accounting for 0.69 of the variance in the demographic response variables. Population size increased with fragment area and connectivity, while density decreased. Larger, less isolated fragments with better connectivity, characteristics indicative of abundant secondary growth, and those with more diverse vegetation but lower Simpson’s evenness indices tended to have more adult females per group and a higher proportion of adult females in the population. In contrast, fragments that were largely similar in characteristics of forest composition and structure, but that were more isolated from nearby fragments, had more adult males per group and a higher proportion of adult males. These results may stem from black howler females preferentially remaining in natal groups and fragments when possible, and dispersing shorter distances when they disperse, while males may be more likely to disperse between fragments, traveling longer distances through the matrix to more isolated fragments. These differential effects on males and females have important conservation implications: if females are more abundant in larger, less isolated fragments, while males are more abundant in more isolated fragments, then to effectively conserve this population, both landscape connectivity and fragment areas should be maintained and increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keren Klass
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Sarie Van Belle
- Department of Anthropology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Alejandro Estrada
- Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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Thinley P, Norbu T, Rajaratnam R, Vernes K, Wangchuk K, Choki K, Tenzin J, Tenzin S, Kinley, Dorji S, Wangchuk T, Cheda K, Gempa. Population abundance and distribution of the endangered golden langur (Trachypithecus geei, Khajuria 1956) in Bhutan. Primates 2019; 60:437-448. [PMID: 31376052 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-019-00737-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Reliable population estimates are lacking for many South Asian primate species, including the golden langur (Trachypithecus geei), which is endangered and restricted to Bhutan and northeast India. Although well studied in India, few studies exist on this species in Bhutan. In November 2017, we undertook a nationwide survey of golden langurs in Bhutan using double observers along trail-based transects in 17 blocks within its habitat, and modeled its distribution using MaxEnt. A total of 2439 golden langurs in 222 groups were collectively encountered by 17 teams of double observers, from which, an overall population of 2516 ± SE 363 individuals and 236 ± SE 9 groups were estimated. Group sizes varied from 2 to 35 individuals with a mean of 11 ± SD 0.38 individuals. A total of 468 adult males (19%), 924 adult females (38%), 649 juveniles (27%), and 398 infants (16%) were counted. Adult male-to-female sex ratio was 1:1.97 and adult female-to-infant ratio was 1:0.43. We determined 2848 km2 of suitable area for golden langurs in Bhutan and estimated a density of 0.88 individuals/km2. Our population estimate of golden langurs in Bhutan is much lower than the current IUCN estimate of 4000 individuals for Bhutan, necessitating a reassessment of its current conservation status due to threats from road kills, electrocution, and development activities like road construction, hydropower, and electrical transmission lines. We further recommend our refined double-observer survey method to reliably estimate primate populations in rugged terrain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuntsho Thinley
- Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment Research, Department of Forests and Park Services, Lamaigoenpa, Bumthang, 32001, Bhutan. .,Ecosystem Management, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia.
| | - Tshewang Norbu
- Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment Research, Department of Forests and Park Services, Lamaigoenpa, Bumthang, 32001, Bhutan
| | | | - Karl Vernes
- Ecosystem Management, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia
| | - Kezang Wangchuk
- Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment Research, Department of Forests and Park Services, Lamaigoenpa, Bumthang, 32001, Bhutan
| | - Karma Choki
- Sarpang Forest Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Sarpang, 31002, Bhutan
| | - Jigme Tenzin
- Sarpang Forest Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Sarpang, 31002, Bhutan
| | - Sangay Tenzin
- Sarpang Forest Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Sarpang, 31002, Bhutan
| | - Kinley
- Tsirang Forest Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Tsirang, 36001, Bhutan
| | - Shacha Dorji
- Tsirang Forest Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Tsirang, 36001, Bhutan
| | - Tshering Wangchuk
- Tsirang Forest Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Tsirang, 36001, Bhutan
| | - Karma Cheda
- Tsirang Forest Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Tsirang, 36001, Bhutan
| | - Gempa
- Tsirang Forest Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Tsirang, 36001, Bhutan
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Rangel-Negrín A, Coyohua-Fuentes A, Canales-Espinosa D, Dias PAD. The Influence of Leaf Consumption on Time Allocation in Black Howler Monkeys (Alouatta pigra). Folia Primatol (Basel) 2018. [PMID: 29514166 DOI: 10.1159/000486414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The analysis of factors that determine variation in time budgets is important to understand the interactions between environment, behaviour and fitness. We tested the hypothesis that changes in the dietary patterns of black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) caused by a decrease in the availability of preferred foods are a main determinant of variation in time budgets. We predicted that individuals would trade off travel time for resting time (i.e., minimize energy expenditure) as the diet included more leaves. We conducted our study in the Mexican state of Campeche between 2005 and 2008, where we studied the behaviour of 28 adult males and 32 adult females belonging to 14 different groups for a total of 3,747.2 focal sampling hours. Study groups lived in forest fragments with variation in habitat quality. Individuals showed different rest:travel trade-offs in response to leaf consumption according to the quality of the forest fragments they lived in. Individuals that lived in high-quality fragments increased resting time under more folivorous regimes, whereas those living in low-quality fragments increased travel time. Our results suggest that howler monkeys living in low-quality fragments spend more time foraging to compensate for the low quality of the available resources.
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