Diet of Southern Muriquis in Continuous Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Authors: Talebi, Mauricio¹; Bastos, Alexandre²; Lee, P.³

Source: International Journal of Primatology, Volume 26, Number 5, October 2005 , pp. 1175-1187(13)

Publisher: Springer

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $47.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

We systematically collected data on feeding behavior for one group of 33–39 southern muriquis (Brachyteles arachnoides) in Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho (PECB), São Paulo State, Brazil (37,432.45 ha of continuous Atlantic Forest), between January and December 1995. We determined food item consumption from instantaneous scans of behavior. Fruits were the most eaten food items in all 12 mo (40–80% of scan in every mo, average = 71.3%). Muriquis ate young leaves more than mature leaves or flowers. Our results are consistent with previous findings at the same and neighboring forest sites that southern muriquis have a consistently frugivorous diet when inhabiting less disturbed habitats, but contrast with previous observations on oppportunistic frugivory in muriqui populations inhabiting fragmented forests. Sustained high levels of frugivory probably result from year-round availability of fruit within large continuous forests.

Keywords: Brachyteles arachnoides; muriquis; food availability; frugivory; Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10764-005-6463-3

Affiliations: 1: Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, UK, Email: talebi@promuriqui.org.br 2: Pró-Muriqui Association, Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho, Caixa Postal 37, São Miguel Arcanjo, SP, CEP 18230-000, Brasil, 3: Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, UK,

Publication date: 2005-10-01