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Whitworth A, Whittaker L, Pillco Huarcaya R, Flatt E, Morales ML, Connor D, Priego MG, Forsyth A, Beirne C. Spider Monkeys Rule the Roost: Ateline Sleeping Sites Influence Rainforest Heterogeneity. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:E1052. [PMID: 31805694 PMCID: PMC6941026 DOI: 10.3390/ani9121052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
: The sleeping site behavior of Ateline primates has been of interest since the 1980s, yet limited focus has been given to their influence upon other rainforest species. Here, we use a combination of arboreal and terrestrial camera traps, and dung beetle pitfall traps, to characterize spider monkey sleeping site use and quantify the impact of their associated latrines on terrestrial vertebrate and dung beetle activity. We also characterize the physical characteristics of the sleeping sites and the floristic and soil composition of latrines beneath them. Spider monkey activity at sleeping sites peaked at dawn and dusk and group composition varied by sex of the adults detected. The habitat-use of terrestrial fauna (vertebrates and dung beetles) differed between latrine sites and non-latrine controls, underpinned by species-specific changes in the relative abundance of several seed-dispersing species (such as paca and great curassow). Seedling density was higher in latrines than in non-latrine controls. Although most soil properties were similar between latrines and controls, potassium and manganese concentrations were different. These results suggest that spider monkey sleeping site fidelity leads to a hotspot of ecological activity in latrines and downstream impacts on rainforest floristic composition and diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Whitworth
- Osa Conservation, Conservation Science Team, Washington, DC, 20005, USA; (L.W.); (R.P.H.); (E.F.); (M.L.M.); (M.G.P.); (A.F.)
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Lawrence Whittaker
- Osa Conservation, Conservation Science Team, Washington, DC, 20005, USA; (L.W.); (R.P.H.); (E.F.); (M.L.M.); (M.G.P.); (A.F.)
- Division of Biology, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7PY, UK
| | - Ruthmery Pillco Huarcaya
- Osa Conservation, Conservation Science Team, Washington, DC, 20005, USA; (L.W.); (R.P.H.); (E.F.); (M.L.M.); (M.G.P.); (A.F.)
| | - Eleanor Flatt
- Osa Conservation, Conservation Science Team, Washington, DC, 20005, USA; (L.W.); (R.P.H.); (E.F.); (M.L.M.); (M.G.P.); (A.F.)
| | - Marvin Lopez Morales
- Osa Conservation, Conservation Science Team, Washington, DC, 20005, USA; (L.W.); (R.P.H.); (E.F.); (M.L.M.); (M.G.P.); (A.F.)
| | - Danielle Connor
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, School of Bio sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK; (D.C.); (C.B.)
| | - Marina Garrido Priego
- Osa Conservation, Conservation Science Team, Washington, DC, 20005, USA; (L.W.); (R.P.H.); (E.F.); (M.L.M.); (M.G.P.); (A.F.)
| | - Adrian Forsyth
- Osa Conservation, Conservation Science Team, Washington, DC, 20005, USA; (L.W.); (R.P.H.); (E.F.); (M.L.M.); (M.G.P.); (A.F.)
| | - Chris Beirne
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, School of Bio sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK; (D.C.); (C.B.)
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Urrea-Galeano LA, Andresen E, Coates R, Mora Ardila F, Ibarra-Manríquez G. Dung beetle activity affects rain forest seed bank dynamics and seedling establishment. Biotropica 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lina Adonay Urrea-Galeano
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Morelia México
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Ciudad de México México
| | - Ellen Andresen
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Morelia México
| | - Rosamond Coates
- Estación de Biología Tropical Los Tuxtlas; Instituto de Biología; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Veracruz México
| | - Francisco Mora Ardila
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Morelia México
| | - Guillermo Ibarra-Manríquez
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Morelia México
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Parent-parent and parent-offspring distances inSpondias radlkoferiseeds suggest long-distance pollen and seed dispersal: evidence from latrines of the spider monkey. JOURNAL OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1017/s0266467417000050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:Pollen and seed dispersal are key ecological processes, directly impacting the spatial distribution, abundance and genetic structure of plant populations; yet, pollen- and seed-dispersal distances are poorly known. We used molecular markers to identify the parental origin (n = 152 adult trees) of 177Spondias radlkoferi(Anacardiaceae) seeds deposited by the spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) in latrines located beneath 17 sleeping-trees in two continuous forest sites (CF) and two forest fragments (FF) in the Lacandona rain forest, Mexico. We estimated mean parent-offspring (PO) distances per latrine and, for those seeds (54% of seeds) with more than one candidate parent (i.e. the potential maternal and parental parents), we also estimated parent-parent (PP) distances per latrine, and tested if PO and PP distances differed between forest types. Global PO and PP distances per latrine averaged 682 m (range = 83–1741 m) and 610 m (range = 74–2339 m), respectively, and did not differ significantly between CF and FF. This suggests that pollen dispersal is extensive in both forest types and that long seed dispersal distances (>100 m) are common, thus supporting the hypothesis that the spider monkey is an effective seed disperser ofS. radlkoferiin continuous and fragmented forests.
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Ordóñez-Gómez JD, Cristóbal-Azkarate J, Arroyo-Rodríguez V, Santillán-Doherty AM, Valdez RA, Romano MC. Proximal and Distal Predictors of the Spider Monkey's Stress Levels in Fragmented Landscapes. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0149671. [PMID: 26901767 PMCID: PMC4762682 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid loss, fragmentation and degradation of tropical forests threaten the survival of many animal species. However, the way in which these phenomena affect animal health has been poorly explored, thus limiting the design of appropriate conservation strategies. To address this, here we identified using linear mixed models the effect of proximal (diet, activity pattern, hunting and logging) and distal (sum of the basal areas of fruiting-tree species [SBAFS], landscape forest cover and degree of forest fragmentation) variables over fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) levels-hormones associated with animal health and fitness-of six groups of spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) inhabiting six landscapes with different spatial structures in Mexico. Proximal variables showed a stronger predictive power over fGCMs than distal. In this sense, increases in travel time, the occurrence of hunting, and reductions in rest time and fruit consumption resulted in higher fGCM levels. Regarding distal variables, increases in SBAFS were negatively related to fGCM levels, thus suggesting that food scarcity increases stress hormone levels. Nevertheless, contrary to theoretical expectations, spider monkeys living in smaller tracts of forest spent less time travelling, but the same time feeding on fruit as those in more forested areas. The lower net energy return associated with this combination of factors would explain why, contrary to theoretical expectations, increased forest cover was associated with increased levels of fGCMs in these groups. Our study shows that, at least in the short term, spider monkeys in fragmented landscapes do not always present higher levels of stress hormones compared to those inhabiting continuous forest, and the importance of preserving fruit sources and controlling hunting for reducing the levels of stress hormones in free ranging spider monkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- José D. Ordóñez-Gómez
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Víctor Arroyo-Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
| | | | - Ricardo A. Valdez
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biofísica y Neurociencias, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Marta C. Romano
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biofísica y Neurociencias, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados, Mexico City, Mexico
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