Abstract # 76

<= span style=3D'font-family:Tahoma;color:maroon'>Celebrated during the meeting o= f the American Society of Primatologists, June 8-12, 2004, at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA<= /span>

<= span lang=3DES style=3D'font-family:Tahoma;color:maroon;mso-ansi-language:ES'>= Celebrado como parte del congreso anaul de la American Society of Primatologists, del = 8-12 Junio, 2004, en la Universidad de Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA=

ABST= RACTS/RESUMENES

Abstacts of papers presented in the symposium are = presented below in the order in which they were presented

Resumenes de las presentaciones llevadas a cabo durante el simposio se presentan abajo, en el orden en que las charlas fueron impartidas

NEW PERSPECTIVES IN MESOAMERICAN PRIMATO= LOGY: CONSERVATION, BEHAVIOR AND ECOLOGY

A. Estrada¹; P. Garber²; M. Pavelka³ and L. Luecke<= /span>⁴
¹UNAM-MEXICO, Estaci&= oacute;n de Biología Los Tuxtlas, Apdo 176, San Andrés T= uxtla, Veracruz, 97500, Mexico, ²University of Illinois, Urbana, ³University of Calgary, ⁴University of Texas, Austin

     Ex= tending from southern (tropical) Mexico to the Colombian border of Panama, Mesoamerica is the third most biologic= ally diverse region in the world. The region covers only 0.5 percent of the world's land surface but harbors 7-10% of the world's biological diversit= y. Primate species and their populations stand out among the rich mammalian fauna of the region and they are represented by three species of howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata, A. pigra a= nd A. coibensis), three subspecies of spider mo= nkeys (Ateles geoffroyi vellerosus, A.g. yucatan= ensis, A.g. panamensis), one species of capuchin monkey (Cebus <= span class=3DSpellE>capucinus), two subspecies of squirrel monkeys = (Saimiri oerstedii oerstedii, S.o. citrinellus), one species of tamarin (Sanguinus geoffroyi) and one s= pecies of owl monkey (Aotus lemurinus). The purpose of this symposium is to present a comprehensive overview of recent advances in primate field research in Mesoa= merica. The overall goal of each contribution is to identify how our current knowledge of primate behavior and ecology has moved beyond more tradition= al approaches by incorporating new theoretical perspectives. A major focus of the symposium is to identify geographical regions and species for which we continue to lack sufficient information, action plans for future research, and a long-term commitment to conservation. In spite of many decades of research in specific localities in the region, much is still unknown about population trends and current distribution of populations and about the b= asic ecology and behavior of the species present. Two major areas of research = will be the focus of the symposium: population and conservation and ecology and behavior.

DO POPULATION PARAMETERS OF TWO SYMPATRIC MONKEY SPECIES (ALOUATTA PALLIATA AND ATELES GEOF= FROYI) REFLECT FRUIT PRODUCTION ESTIMATES? THE EVIDENCE FROM BARRO COLORADO ISLAND, REPUBLIC OF PANAMA

K. Milton University of California, Berkeley, Dept. of Envi= ronmental Science, Policy & Mgt., 201 Wellman Hall, Berkeley, CA, 94720-3112, U= SA

     To conserve tropical mammals, it is important to understand the range of population fluctuations that normally occur over the long term so that periodic shifts in numbers can be taken into account in the planning of reserve size. Some data suggest population fluctuations may be tied, at l= east in part, to phenological production patterns = of important plant resources, these in turn often influenced by climatic eve= nts. Here I compare 14 years of data on fruit production patterns on Barro Colorado Island, Republic of Panama with data= on population estimates for two sympatric primate species—howler monke= ys (Alouatta palliata), obligate folivores that also consume considerable fruit and spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi= ), a strongly frugivorous species. Though differ= ing in dietary focus, the two monkey species appeared to show little detectable response to fruit production patterns in terms of their respective popula= tion dynamics over the 14-yr study period. Supported by NSF grants #85-12634 a= nd #90-20058 and funds from the California Agricultural Experiment Station; collection of fruit trap data supported by the Environmental Science Prog= ram (ESP), Smithsonian Institution.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE BLACK HOWLER MONKEY = (ALOUATTA PIGRA) IN MESOAMERICA: A GIS AN= ALYSIS

L. G. Luecke University of Texas, Department of Anthropology, 1 University Station C3200, Austin, TX, 78712, USA<= /st1:country-region>

     Th= is study reassesses the distribution of black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) in Mesoamerica= originally proposed by Horwich and Johnson (1= 986). Their proposed distribution was based on sightings, local informants, and= the presence of suitable habitat. Current methods for investigating primate distributions have greatly improved beyond the methods utilized in that study. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is shown to be a powerful too= l in the assessment of geographic distributions of primates. This study synthesizes population data of black howlers and utilizes GIS to provide = an updated evaluation of known populations and the overall distribution of t= his endemic species. Population data from ten sites in southern Mexico, = Belize and Guatemala were entered and compared for density, demographics, and geographical attributes. The most current elevation, vegetation and satellite imagery = were analyzed to provide an updated map of the likely distribution of A. pigra. It is evident that this species prefers medium-tall evergreen and semideciduous fores= t, elevations below 600 m above sea level, and that dens= ities are higher in forest fragments than in continuous forest. This new evalua= tion shows that the earlier distribution assessment overestimated the boundari= es of this species’ range. These new data provide us with more precise locations in which to investigate the presence or absence of A. pigra. These areas may reveal more populatio= ns of this species and also provide sites for translocation and rehabilitation.=

DEMOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF ALOUATTA = PIGRA POPULATIONS IN EXTENSIVE AND FRAGMENTED FORESTS.

S. Van Belle¹ and A. Estrada= ²
¹University of Wisconsin-Madison, Departme= nt of Zoology, Madison, WI, 53715, USA, ²Estación de B= iología Los Tuxtlas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico

     In southern Mexico tropical rain forest destruction and fragmentation by human activity has altered the original distribution of primate populations and little is kn= own about where populations are currently found and about their demographic parameters. In this paper we report data on demographic parameters for populations of Alouatta pigra f= ound in eight extensive forest sites and in three fragmented landscapes in southern Mexico and = Guatemala. Populations were surveyed at these sites between 2000 and 2003 using audi= tory triangulations and direct visual counts. In extensive forests, population means for troop size ranged from 4.07 to 8.80 individuals, for adult sex ratios from 1.08 to 1.67, for secondary sex ratios from 0.68 to 2.00 and = for female to immature ratios from 0.44 to 1.61. Estimated population density= at these sites ranged from 1.8 to 44.0 ind/km². The percentage of one-male troops varied from 10.0 to 71.4%. In fragmented landscapes, population means for troop size varied between 5.19 and 8.00 individuals, for adult sex ratios between 1.39 and 1.78, for secondary sex ratio ranged from 1.43 to 5.00 and for female to immature ratios ranged f= rom 0.89 to 1.48. Population density estimates at these sites varied from 101= .9 to 246.7 ind/km². The percentage of unimale troops ranged from 33.3 to 61.1%. Data are discussed in relation to land-management practices and its impact on persistence of primate populations, suggesting that although howlers can survive in forest fragments, they may not do well in the long-term. <= /span>

SPIDER MONKEY (ATELES GEOFFROY= I) CONSERVATION IN EL SALVADOR IN RELATION TO HUMAN COMMUNIT= IES

K. Morales-Hernandez and R. Horwich Community Conservation Inc., El Salvador, Apdo Postal 326, Santa Ana, El Salvador.

     El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America with a high human population dens= ity. The country has suffered much environmental destruction due to deforestat= ion, natural phenomena, and a civil war for over 12 years that ended in1991. T= he war has decimated the wildlife and increased the scale of human poverty, especially in the rural areas. In surveying spider monkey populations of = the country - the only non-human primate species present in El Salvador - we have found areas containing spider monkeys, four of which are in Usulután, a Department in the southeast zone= . This is a very important site for wildlife conservation that contains remnants= of forest and important mangrove forests on which much wildlife depends on, including the monkeys. In recent years, interest in conservation activiti= es have increased in this area of the country and some governmental and non-governmental organizations are currently developing projects with the help and participation of the people of the communities near to these for= ests and marine ecosystems. We have focused on Chaguantiq= ue, El Tercio, Normand&iacut= e;a, and Nancuchiname communities for awareness pr= ograms for school children and all the members of the communities to try and dev= elop a plan for community co-management of these areas. We are working with the Ministry of Natural Resources, local area cooperatives and NGOs who are working in these communities.

PRIMATE POPULATIONS IN THE PROTECTED FOR= ESTS OF MAYAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN SOUTHERN MEXICO

A. Estrada¹; S. Van Belle<= /span>²; L. Luecke³ and M. Rosales= ⁴
¹UNAM-MEXICO, Estaci&= oacute;n de Biología Los Tuxtlas, Apdo 176, San Andrés T= uxtla, Veracruz, 97500, Mexico, ²University of Wisconsin-Madison, ³University of Texas-Austin, ⁴Universidad de San Carlos, Guatemala

     Ha= bitat destruction and fragmentation, resulting from human activity, affects the viability of existing primate populations throughout Mesoamerica. While national parks and ecological reserves protect native habitat and b= iodiversity, protected forests surrounding Mayan archeological sites may also be impor= tant foci of conservation for populations of several primate species in the region. Between 2000 and 2003 we surveyed the forests surrounding 13 Mayan sites for presence of primate populations. Primate populations were discovered in 92% of the sites surveyed. In the northernmost Mayan site i= n Mesoamerica (Comalcalco) we discovered a population of Alouatta palliata. South of Comalcalco, 82% of the sites the forests harbored p= opulations of A. pigra and in 54% of At= eles geoffroyi. In 45% of the sites we found both A. pigra and A. geoffroyi. The cumulative area of native habitat protected by a large constellation of M= ayan sites adds importantly to the total area of legally protected tropical ra= in forests in southern Mexico and to the conservation of populations of the three northernmost primate species in the Neotropics.

POPULATION STRUCTURE OF BLACK HOWLERS (<= i>ALOUATTA PIGRA) IN SOUTHERN BELIZE<= /o:p>

M. Pavelka Dept. of Anthropolog= y, University of Calg= ary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada<= /span>

     Th= is paper describes the population structure of black howler (Alouatta= pigra) monkeys in Monkey River, Bel= ize near the southern boundary of the species range. The population is recove= ring from a major hurricane in 2001. A. pigra has recently been upgraded to Endangered in the IUCN Redbook, due to increased forest loss and an increase in available information. Further documentation of this species, especially as it recovers from severe habi= tat alteration, is crucial to conservation efforts. The purpose of this paper= is to describe and explore the relationship between population density and g= roup size and composition. Data are based on intensive monitoring of social gr= oups (4 - 8) within a 52-hectare study area for 11 months between May 1999 - M= ay 2001 and for 30 months continuously from Oct 2001 - April 2004. population density was high (102 individuals/km^=
2) before the storm, and ranged from 60 to 40 individuals/km2 in the 52-hect= are area in the 30 months after the storm. Group size appears to be positively correlated with population density possibly because small groups represent newly forming groups in areas where density permits new group formation. These results are consistent with population data for A. pigra from other sites in Belize and Mexico. Population density estimates before and after the hurricane, suggest that the population has not yet stabilized and may continue to fall. =

A METAPOPULATION APPROACH TO CONSERVATIO= N OF HOWLER MONKEYS IN HIGHLY ALTERED LANDSCAPES IN MEXICO: INCREASE PATCH SIZE= OR SET UP INTER-PATCH CONNECTIVITY?

S. Mandujano; L. Escobedo-Moral= es; R. Palacios and E. Rodriguez-Toledo Instituto de= Ecología, A. C., Km 2.5 Carret.Ant.Coatepec 351, Xalapa, Veracruz, 91070, Mexico

     As= a result of tropical forest loss and fragmentation, the abundance of howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) have diminished 90% in the vicinity of Los Tuxtlas, Mexico. The remaining population consists of groups inhabiting in archipelagos of forest patches. Metapopulation theory predict= s a high persistence as more habitat patches are occupied and dispersal is possible among populations. We studied howler monkeys inhabiting a landsc= ape of 4,965 ha, where only 11% of the original habitat exists and is fragmen= ted in 92 patches (range size: 0.3-75 ha). From 2001-2003 we censused groups and estimated the metapopulation persi= stence probability using the population viability program RAMAS Metapop, ecological network theory, and spatial explicit models. In particular, we evaluated the importance of three- habitat area change and three connecti= vity levels. A total of 77 individuals inhabit 20% of the total patches. When = we simulated the total number of individuals expected in the next 30 years, = we found that habitat area change had a higher impact on the metapopulation viability than connectivity level. In contrast, when we simulated the pat= ch incidence, we found that connectivity was crucial to allow movements of i= ndividuals among patches. In conclusion, from the perspective of metapopulation viability more habitat (>30% of the total landscape), bigger patches (>10 ha) and lower patch isolation (<200 m) is needed to support the existing population. Supported by ASP Small Grant Program, and Primate Conservation, Inc.

MEXICAN PRIMATES IN THE YUCATAN PENINSULA: PRIORITY AREA FOR CONSERVATION IN MESOAMERICA=

J. Serio-Silva¹ and V. Rico-Gr= ay^1,2=
¹Instituto de Ecologi= a AC, Departamento de Ecol= ogia y Comportamiento Animal, Xalapa, Veracruz, 91070, Mexico, ²Departamento de= Ecologia Vegetal

     We conducted primate population surveys (Jan 2000-April 2002) in some of the best-preserved areas of the Yucatan peninsula. Using GIS we identified 93,942.39 km² (63.9% of tot= al area for the peninsula) as potential habitat for the three primate species occurring in Mexic= o (Alouatta pigra, Alouatta palliata mexicana and Ateles geoffroy= i yucatanensis). Primates were encountered in 66 of 78 sites surveyed. Of these, 24 sites harbored A. pigra, 15 harbored = A. geoffroyi yucatanensis and both species co-occurred in 24 sites. We found 70 social units of A. g. yucatanensis, six in Yucatan, 40 in Quintana Roo, and 24 in Campeche. We found 149 tr= oops of A. pigra, one in Yucatan, 39 in Quintana Roo, and 109 in Campeche= . All four A. p. mexicana troo= ps were found in Campeche. An important corollary is the new report of two sites in Campeche= where A. pigra and A. palliata mexicana coexist sympat= rically. Finally, even though the Yucatan peninsula is considered one of the most important Mexican forested areas to promote effective conservation manage= ment for primates, we found early evidence of negative impact on habitat disturbance as a consequence of tourism in some sites in the north of the Yucatan peninsula, as well as heavy alterations along the coast of Quinta= na Roo. Supported by Primate Conservation Inc. and Conservation Committee, ASP.

TAXONOMIC STATUS OF ATELES GEO= FFROYI IN NORTHERN HONDURAS=

J. J. Hines The Australian National University, School of Archaeology & Anthropology, AD Hope Building (Bldg 14), Can= berra, ACT, 0200, Austral= ia

     The taxonomic status of the black-handed spider monkey, Ateles geof= froyi, in Central America has in the past pre= sented several difficulties. Most researchers consider that A. geoffro= yi can be divided into several subspecies, which differ in pelage characteristics. In Honduras, it has been suggested that the subspecies represented is A. g.<= /i> vellerosus, but this has been based on a reported sighting in northeast Honduras and descriptions of specimens m= ainly collected throughout parts of Mexico. Here I present and compare photographic evidence of pelage characteristics from a population of spider monkeys residing in one of the largest Nation= al Parks in Honduras, Parque Nacionál Pico Bonito, north of a major isolating cordillera. Based on comparisons = of the monkeys living in northern Honduras to those from other regions of Central America, it appears that this population may be of a previously undescribed subspecies. Supported by the Australian National University and Primate Conservation, Inc.

<= /p>

ADULT MIGRATION PATTERNS OF THE MANTLED HOWLERS OF LA PACIFICA

M. R. Clarke¹ and K. E. Glan= der²
¹Univ. New Orleans, Dept. of Anthropology , New Orleans, LA, 70148, USA, ²Duke University, Durham NC 27706

     An analysis of survey and capture data on adult howling monkeys (Alouatta= palliata) from 1972 through 2002 revealed different patterns of migration for adult male and adult female howlers. Records from 7 differe= nt social groups for 115 group years revealed 70 migration events in females= and 40 in males. Leaving and joining was evaluated on a number of social and environmental variables for each sex using independent t-tests. Females w= ere more likely to join groups in riparian habitats, to join groups that had = an unusually low number of females, and to join groups following a year of normal (rather than low) rainfall. Females were only observed attempting = to join groups where the male-female ratio was below 1:3. There were no environmental variables associated with male migration. Males joined grou= ps when the adult male-female sex ratio was 1:5 or highe= r, and left groups when that ratio dropped to 1:2. The actual size of the gr= oup had no effect. Males joined groups at an average 4.4 ± 0.9 years of age, and left groups at an average 15.1 ± 7.4 years of age. Older males were documented to form small one-male groups after emigrating. Fem= ale migration patterns associate primarily with environmental variables (habi= tat, rainfall) and secondarily with social variables (number of group females, sex-ratio), while male migration patterns only associate with social variables (i.e. male-female ratio and male age).

HOW ARE MALE DISPERSAL PATTERNS, DOMINAN= CE RANK AND REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS RELATED IN WILD WHITE-FACED CAPUCHINS (C= EBUS CAPUCINUS) IN SANTA R= OSA NATIONAL PARK, COSTA RICA?

K. M. Jack¹ and L. M. Fedi= gan^1,2=
¹Tulane University, Anthropology, Departme= nt of Anthropology, 1021 Audubon Street, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA, ²University of Calgary, Anthropology

     Se= xual selection theory predicts that males who win intrase= xual competition will experience increased mating success and in some primate species low mating success is suggested to be a driving force behind male dispersal; however the relationship among these variables is still poorly understood. Here we investigate the interrelatedness of male dispersal patterns (tenure length and reason for dispersal), dominance rank, and reproductive success within two groups of Cebus capucinus between 1993 and 2000. Durin= g this period 15 immigrant males resided in the study groups and 24 infants were born (19 of which survived long enough to obtain samples for non-invasive paternity determination). Male dominance rank, the proportion of infants sired, and the reason for dispersal are all significantly correlated (p<.05) while male tenure length is not correlated with any of the variables. Within our study groups, low ranked males sire fewer offspring= and emigrate voluntarily, while alpha males sire the majority of offspring and tend to remain in a group until evicted by outsider males. These data, combined with our previous finding that males experience an increase in dominance rank with group transfer, indicate that the voluntary dispersal= of low ranking males may be an adaptive strategy to increase their reproduct= ive success. Our long-term data suggests that unless a male is able to reach alpha status, his chances of reproducing are low.

FACTORS INVOLVED IN VARIATION IN TREE AND SPECIES USE BY MANTLED HOWLER MONKEYS, ALOUATTA PALLIATA

B. J. Welker SUNY Geneseo, Dept= . of Anthropology, 1 College Circle, Geneseo, NY, 14454, USA

     A = study of feeding behavior by mantled howler monkeys was undertaken to examine mechanisms involved in intraspecific tree use. Behavioral (2-min point time samples) and tree characteristic (physical, spatial, phenological, and chemical) data were collected/processed during three consecutive dry seasons from 1997 to 199= 9 at the study site of Sector Santa Rosa, Area de Conserv= ación Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Tree characteristic d= ata were collected from all trees (=3D 20cm diameter at breast height), within seven food species, and used and unused trees were compared. Size and crop data were collected for all food trees. Physical characteristics thought = to be related to use were tree accessibility, phenology= , and location and, in one species, the secondary chemistry of leaves, i.e. variable sesquiterpene levels. Contrary to pr= evious reports, neither tree size nor the size of their food crops was related to whether a tree could/would be fed from. Between-year differences in time spent feeding from particular species was related to (1) variation in pla= nt part production and (2) availability of preferred resources. Data for thr= ee leaf-source species are used to demonstrate differing patterns of usage between species, some of which appears unrelated to the aforementioned factors. These results shed light on the complexity of feeding behavior a= nd selectivity in this primate species and are discussed with respect to conservation issues. Supported by NSF, Trimble Corporation, and SUNY Buffalo and Geneseo.

SIZE AND COMPOSITION OF FORAGING GROUPS = OF BLACK-HANDED SPIDER MONKEYS (ATELES GEOFFROYI) IN PARQUE NACIONAL PICO BONITO, ATL&Aa= cute;NTIDA, HONDURAS

J. J. Hines The Australian National University, School of Archaeology & Anthropology, AD Hope Building (Bldg 14), Can= berra, ACT, 0200, Austral= ia

     By definition, the fission-fusion nature of black-handed spider monkey (A= teles geoffroyi) social organization makes determining group size and membership difficult. It has been suggested by several authors that the availability of food resources is a determining factor in the size and composition of foraging groups. Parque Nacional Pico Bonito, one of the largest National P= arks in Honduras with a total area of 107,300 ha, and a core zone encompassing 52,671 ha, provides an excellent opportunity to study this species in a large, relatively undisturbed habitat. Utilizing instantaneous sampling, 1,021 minutes of contact time were recorded over 55 encounters during Jul= y, 2001 and January to September, 2003 in rough, isolated terrain several kilometres from the nearest human settlement. Mean = group size was 6.85 individuals, consisting of a mean of 1.62 males, 2.61 femal= es and 2.62 juveniles and infants per group, slightly larger, but in line wi= th the group size of other populations in Central America. Twenty-nine speci= es of trees and two species of vines were identified and recorded as food sources for the spider monkeys. Supported by the <= st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Australian Nation= al University and Pr= imate Conservation, Inc.

TRAVEL PATTERNS AND SPATIAL MAPPING IN NICARAGUAN MANTLED HOWLER MONKEYS (ALOUATTA PALLIATA)<= /o:p>

P. A. Garber and P. E. Jelink University of Illinois, Dept. of Anthropology, 109 Davenport Hall, 607 S. Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA

     St= udies of foraging and ranging behavior in several species of prosimians, monkeys, and apes indicate evidence of goal-directed travel and relatively straight-line movement between distant or out-of-view feeding sites. Howe= ver, it remains uncertain whether primate ranging patterns are more consistent with a route-based spatial representation or a geometric-based spatial representation. In this study we present quantitative data on travel rout= es and path segments taken by mantled howlers (Alouatta palliata) to reach sequential feeding and resting sites. Data were collected during July and August of 2002 on a group of A. palliata inhabiting a dry tropical forest on Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua. All trees the ho= wlers were observed to travel, feed, and rest in were marked, and distances and= angles between trees were measured and mapped. The howler study group exploited a home range of 3.9 hectares, and fed, rested, and traveled in 250 trees. D= ay range averaged 381 meters. Twenty-seven individual feeding (N=3D8) and re= sting trees (N=3D19) trees accounted for 69.5% of the howler activity budget. T= hese trees exhibited a patchy distribution. In general, the howlers frequently reused the same set of route segments to reach major feeding and resting sites. Routes used by mantled howlers were extremely efficient and minimi= zed the distance traveled. Our findings support the contention that howler ranging patterns are best described as using a route-based spatial representation.

IS AVERAGE GOOD ENOUGH: HOW MUCH DO MANT= LED HOWLING MONKEYS REALLY WEIGH?

K. Glander Duke University, Dep= t Biol Anth/Anat, 011 Bio= Sci/Box 90383, Durham, NC, 27708, USA

     A comparison of mantled howling monkey (Alouatta palliata) bo= dy weights from two Costa Rican populations [Santa Rosa (SR) and La Pacifica= (LP)] and the island population of Barro Colorado (= BCI) resulted in “average” female body weights of 6,445 g (BCI:N= =3D49), 5,161 g (SR:N=3D21), and 4,726 g (LP:N=3D663). The “average” = male body weight for these same three populations is 7,562 g (BCI:N=3D38), 6,573 g (SR:N=3D15), 6,167 g, and 5,790 g (LP:N=3D288). The BCI females are significantly heavier than both the SR females (F=3D80.48, P>.0000) and LP females (F=3D 360.48, P>.0000) = and the BCI males are significantly heavier than both the SR males (F=3D23.23, P&= gt;.0000) and the LP males (F=3D295.05, P>.0000). The SR females are significant= ly heavier than the LP females (F=3D10.25, P>.001) and the SR males are significantly heavier than the LP males (F=3D26.54, P>.0001). The SR population is located about 70 km from LP while the BCI howler population= is about 750 km from the Costa Rican populations. Not only is there variatio= n in body mass between populations, there is also variation in body mass within populations that can exceed that between populations. The body mass range= is 4,300-7,300 g for the LP population and 6,000-8,750 g for the BCI populat= ion.

LEAP, BRIDGE, OR RIDE? ONTOGENETIC INFLU= ENCES ON GAP CROSSING IN CEBUS AND ALOUATTA

M. Bezanson University of Arizo= na, Department of Anthropology, = Tucson, AZ, 85721= , USA

     Du= ring growth and development ontogenetic changes in body weight, limb proportio= ns, and motor skills are likely to influence locomotion through the arboreal canopy. In this research, I examine ontogenetic patterns of gap crossing = in Cebus capucinus<= /span> and Alouatta palliata inhabiting a tropical rainforest in <= st1:country-region w:st=3D"on">Costa Rica. Cebus and Alouatta were observed for = 773 hours during 2002 and 2003 at Estación= Biológica La Suerte in Northeastern Costa Rica. A sample of 1000 trees a= long 50 10-meter transects was measured to analyze the effects of gap size on gap-crossing locomotor behavior among individ= uals in five age classes. Statistical analyses incorporating randomization procedures indicated that adult and juvenile locomot= or behavior exhibited a similar pattern within each species, differing only = in the frequency of particular behaviors. In Cebus, leaping increased slightly with age while in Alouatta leaping decreased. While Cebus were found to c= ross wider gaps than Alouatta, there were no significant differences in= the sizes of gaps utilized among juveniles and adults within each species. The results of the present study suggest that increasing body mass does not predictably influence the capuchin and howler locomo= tor repertoire. Additional relationships among substrate use, locomotor behavior, and limb proportions in Cebus and Alouatta are discussed.

RETURN TO PREVIOUS PAGE / REGRESAR A LA PAGINA ANTERIOR<= /p>

NEW PERSPECTIVES IN MESOAMERICAN PRIMATO= LOGY: CONSERVATION, BEHAVIOR AND ECOLOGY

DO POPULATION PARAMETERS OF TWO SYMPATRIC MONKEY SPECIES (ALOUATTA PALLIATA AND ATELES GEOF= FROYI) REFLECT FRUIT PRODUCTION ESTIMATES? THE EVIDENCE FROM BARRO COLORADO ISLAND, REPUBLIC OF PANAMA

DISTRIBUTION OF THE BLACK HOWLER MONKEY = (ALOUATTA PIGRA) IN MESOAMERICA: A GIS AN= ALYSIS

DEMOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF ALOUATTA = PIGRA POPULATIONS IN EXTENSIVE AND FRAGMENTED FORESTS.

SPIDER MONKEY (ATELES GEOFFROY= I) CONSERVATION IN EL SALVADOR IN RELATION TO HUMAN COMMUNIT= IES

PRIMATE POPULATIONS IN THE PROTECTED FOR= ESTS OF MAYAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN SOUTHERN MEXICO

POPULATION STRUCTURE OF BLACK HOWLERS (<= i>ALOUATTA PIGRA) IN SOUTHERN BELIZE<= /o:p>

A METAPOPULATION APPROACH TO CONSERVATIO= N OF HOWLER MONKEYS IN HIGHLY ALTERED LANDSCAPES IN MEXICO: INCREASE PATCH SIZE= OR SET UP INTER-PATCH CONNECTIVITY?

MEXICAN PRIMATES IN THE YUCATAN PENINSULA: PRIORITY AREA FOR CONSERVATION IN MESOAMERICA=

TAXONOMIC STATUS OF ATELES GEO= FFROYI IN NORTHERN HONDURAS=

ADULT MIGRATION PATTERNS OF THE MANTLED HOWLERS OF LA PACIFICA

HOW ARE MALE DISPERSAL PATTERNS, DOMINAN= CE RANK AND REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS RELATED IN WILD WHITE-FACED CAPUCHINS (C= EBUS CAPUCINUS) IN SANTA R= OSA NATIONAL PARK, COSTA RICA?

FACTORS INVOLVED IN VARIATION IN TREE AND SPECIES USE BY MANTLED HOWLER MONKEYS, ALOUATTA PALLIATA

SIZE AND COMPOSITION OF FORAGING GROUPS = OF BLACK-HANDED SPIDER MONKEYS (ATELES GEOFFROYI) IN PARQUE NACIONAL PICO BONITO, ATL&Aa= cute;NTIDA, HONDURAS

TRAVEL PATTERNS AND SPATIAL MAPPING IN NICARAGUAN MANTLED HOWLER MONKEYS (ALOUATTA PALLIATA)<= /o:p>

IS AVERAGE GOOD ENOUGH: HOW MUCH DO MANT= LED HOWLING MONKEYS REALLY WEIGH?

LEAP, BRIDGE, OR RIDE? ONTOGENETIC INFLU= ENCES ON GAP CROSSING IN CEBUS AND ALOUATTA

SPIDER MONKEY (ATELES GEOFFROY= I) CONSERVATION IN EL SALVADOR IN RELATION TO HUMAN COMMUNIT= IES
K. Morales-Hernandez and R. Horwich Community Conservation Inc., El Salvador, Apdo Postal 326, Santa Ana, El Salvador.
El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America with a high human population dens= ity. The country has suffered much environmental destruction due to deforestat= ion, natural phenomena, and a civil war for over 12 years that ended in1991. T= he war has decimated the wildlife and increased the scale of human poverty, especially in the rural areas. In surveying spider monkey populations of = the country - the only non-human primate species present in El Salvador - we have found areas containing spider monkeys, four of which are in Usulután, a Department in the southeast zone= . This is a very important site for wildlife conservation that contains remnants= of forest and important mangrove forests on which much wildlife depends on, including the monkeys. In recent years, interest in conservation activiti= es have increased in this area of the country and some governmental and non-governmental organizations are currently developing projects with the help and participation of the people of the communities near to these for= ests and marine ecosystems. We have focused on Chaguantiq= ue, El Tercio, Normand&iacut= e;a, and Nancuchiname communities for awareness pr= ograms for school children and all the members of the communities to try and dev= elop a plan for community co-management of these areas. We are working with the Ministry of Natural Resources, local area cooperatives and NGOs who are working in these communities.

MEXICAN PRIMATES IN THE YUCATAN PENINSULA: PRIORITY AREA FOR CONSERVATION IN MESOAMERICA=
J. Serio-Silva¹ and V. Rico-Gr= ay*^1,2=* ¹Instituto de Ecologi= a AC, Departamento de Ecol= ogia y Comportamiento Animal, Xalapa, Veracruz, 91070, Mexico, ²Departamento de= Ecologia Vegetal
We conducted primate population surveys (Jan 2000-April 2002) in some of the best-preserved areas of the Yucatan peninsula. Using GIS we identified 93,942.39 km² (63.9% of tot= al area for the peninsula) as potential habitat for the three primate species occurring in Mexic= o (Alouatta pigra, Alouatta palliata mexicana and Ateles geoffroy= i yucatanensis). Primates were encountered in 66 of 78 sites surveyed. Of these, 24 sites harbored A. pigra, 15 harbored = A. geoffroyi yucatanensis and both species co-occurred in 24 sites. We found 70 social units of A. g. yucatanensis, six in Yucatan, 40 in Quintana Roo, and 24 in Campeche. We found 149 tr= oops of A. pigra, one in Yucatan, 39 in Quintana Roo, and 109 in Campeche= . All four A. p. mexicana troo= ps were found in Campeche. An important corollary is the new report of two sites in Campeche= where A. pigra and A. palliata mexicana coexist sympat= rically. Finally, even though the Yucatan peninsula is considered one of the most important Mexican forested areas to promote effective conservation manage= ment for primates, we found early evidence of negative impact on habitat disturbance as a consequence of tourism in some sites in the north of the Yucatan peninsula, as well as heavy alterations along the coast of Quinta= na Roo. Supported by Primate Conservation Inc. and Conservation Committee, ASP.

TRAVEL PATTERNS AND SPATIAL MAPPING IN NICARAGUAN MANTLED HOWLER MONKEYS (ALOUATTA PALLIATA)<= /o:p>
P. A. Garber and P. E. Jelink University of Illinois, Dept. of Anthropology, 109 Davenport Hall, 607 S. Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
St= udies of foraging and ranging behavior in several species of prosimians, monkeys, and apes indicate evidence of goal-directed travel and relatively straight-line movement between distant or out-of-view feeding sites. Howe= ver, it remains uncertain whether primate ranging patterns are more consistent with a route-based spatial representation or a geometric-based spatial representation. In this study we present quantitative data on travel rout= es and path segments taken by mantled howlers (Alouatta palliata) to reach sequential feeding and resting sites. Data were collected during July and August of 2002 on a group of A. palliata inhabiting a dry tropical forest on Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua. All trees the ho= wlers were observed to travel, feed, and rest in were marked, and distances and= angles between trees were measured and mapped. The howler study group exploited a home range of 3.9 hectares, and fed, rested, and traveled in 250 trees. D= ay range averaged 381 meters. Twenty-seven individual feeding (N=3D8) and re= sting trees (N=3D19) trees accounted for 69.5% of the howler activity budget. T= hese trees exhibited a patchy distribution. In general, the howlers frequently reused the same set of route segments to reach major feeding and resting sites. Routes used by mantled howlers were extremely efficient and minimi= zed the distance traveled. Our findings support the contention that howler ranging patterns are best described as using a route-based spatial representation.