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Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:44:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2022-01-01 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Idea Wild Natural Environment Research Council Context: Forest loss and fragmentation are rapidly expanding across the tropics. Although forest loss is a major driver of the current biodiversity crisis, the effect of fragmentation remains debated, particularly for forest-specialist species. Objectives: We evaluated the univariate and combined effect of forest loss (percent of forest cover) and fragmentation (forest patch density) on populations of a forest-specialist primate, the black-fronted titi monkey (Callicebus nigrifrons), in the landscapes from a transitional zone between Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes. Methods: We surveyed titi monkey density in 14 landscapes. Using a multiscale and multimodel inference approach, we tested the relative effect of each landscape variable assessed at their respective scales of effect on titi monkey density. Results: Titi monkey density ranged from 0 to 12 groups/km2 and was best predicted by the combined effect of forest cover and patch density. Density increased in forest patches embedded in more deforested and fragmented landscapes. Interestingly, the effect of forest patch density was consistently positive along the entire evaluated forest cover gradient (9–42%). Conclusions: Our findings support that fragmentation per se can have positive effects on biodiversity, in this case, by increasing the likelihood that more individuals can be ‘rescued’ from deforestation and crowded in the remaining forest patches. Although the long-term consequences of living crowded in forest patches are unknown, a conservative approach for preserving this (and potentially other) forest-specialist species could be to promote forest restoration projects focused on increasing the number and/or size of forest patches in the landscape (i.e., reverse fragmentation). Departamento de Biologia Animal Universidade Estadual de Campinas, SP Departamento de Genética e Evolução Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Road Washington Luís km 235, SP Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Michoacán Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Yucatán Department of Life Sciences Imperial College London Instituto de Ciências da Natureza Universidade Federal de Alfenas, MG Laboratório de Ecologia Espacial e Conservação (LEEC) Departamento de Ecologia Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, SP Laboratório de Ecologia Espacial e Conservação (LEEC) Departamento de Ecologia Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, SP CAPES: 001 FAPESP: 2012/14245-2 FAPESP: 2013/24453-4 FAPESP: 2013/50421-2 FAPESP: 2020/01779-5 CNPq: 312045/2013-1 CNPq: 312292/2016-3 CNPq: 442147/2020-1 CAPES: 88881.068425/2014-1 Idea Wild: GESTBRAZ0510 Natural Environment Research Council: NE/S011811/1

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T17:11:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-08-15 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Idea Wild Protected areas can mediate negative effects of habitat loss and human-related pressures on key ecological groups. However, different protected area categories can vary substantially in their degree of enforcement, which may ensure different levels of effectiveness for biodiversity protection. Because little attempt has been made to quantify this, we investigated the protection effectiveness of different levels of protection (low, intermediate, and high) in maintaining the ecological functions of mammalian species. We assessed this on a selection of five species with varying ecological functions: nine-banded armadillo (insectivore), paca (seed disperser), tayra (omnivore), ocelot (carnivore), and collared peccary (seed predator). Their occupancy probability and the integrity of their ecological functions were estimated and spatialized across landscapes at all protection levels (low, intermediate, and high). In addition, we estimated how many of these species were maintained in each protection status using a minimum of 35% occupancy threshold for each. Our results indicated that higher protection statuses can hold more ecological functions of these mammalian species than areas with lower protection levels. Ocelot and paca heavily relied on areas with higher protection, which can impact the overall ecosystem functioning and ecological services of less protected areas, since these are species performing unique roles in our landscape (mixed-sized prey carnivory and large-sized seed dispersal, respectively). Our study suggests that the degrees of protection can influence the area effectiveness in maintaining certain mammalian species and their ecological functions and ecosystem services. Therefore, management strategies and degree of enforcement should be carefully planned when assigning areas for conservation to ensure the conservation of more sensitive species and preserve more ecological functions. Department of Animal Biology Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Bertrand Russel, 1505, mailbox: 6109 Department of Ecology Spatial Ecology and Conservation Lab (LEEC) Institute of Bioscience UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista Department of Biology Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirante, 3900 Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave Department of Ecology Spatial Ecology and Conservation Lab (LEEC) Institute of Bioscience UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista FAPESP: 2013/07162-6 FAPESP: 2013/50421-2 CNPq: 303101/2017-2 CNPq: 312045/2013-1 CNPq: 312292/2016-3

Land-use changes are a main driver of modifications in tropical ecosystems, leading to the loss of species and ecological traits and affecting key ecological functions. Although much attention has been given to predict the effects of species loss on ecological processes, information on the large-scale effects of land-use changes over ecological functions is scarce. Here, we detected erosion in the prevalence of ecological functions performed by mammals in response to land-use changes in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. By analyzing the loss of different ecological functions (vertebrate and invertebrate predation, seed dispersal, seed depredation, herbivory) performed by mammal assemblages in a deforestation gradient, we observed that vulnerable functions (performed by sensitive species, such as browsing, seed depredation, medium and large vertebrate predation) were positively related to patch size and forest cover and negatively related to anthropogenic cover. These relationships were reversed for persistent functions (performed by resilient species, such as grazing, small seed dispersal, small vertebrate and invertebrate predation). Vulnerable functions were virtually restricted to large forest remnants, while persistent functions were prevalent in human-modified landscapes. Disturbed forests are not necessarily empty of mammal species, but there is a substantial loss of ecological functions across most of the Atlantic Forest. Five out of ten ecological functions lose prevalence in small forest remnants. Nonetheless, these small remnants serve as refuges for the remaining biodiversity and are on the verge of the functional extinction of important processes. The erosion of ecological functions provided by mammals compromise the persistence of Atlantic Forest's biodiversity. (C) 2021 Associacao Brasileira de Ciencia Ecologica e Conservacao. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Mechanisms that decrease niche overlap in at least one of its dimensions (i.e., spatial, temporal, or dietary) tend to facilitate coexistence of similar, sympatric species. We investigated whether temporal or dietary segregation plays a significant role in the coexistence of Neotropical small felids. In addition, we examined the role of prey activity in shaping their time use. We compared the activity and diet of four felids ( oncilla - Leopardus gutullus, margay - L. wiedii, jaguarundi - Puma yagouaroundi, and ocelot - L. pardalis) using camera trapping and scat surveys (45 sampling sites) in an Atlantic Forest remnant (35,000 ha) in Brazil. Ocelot, margay, and oncilla seem to be generalists and, overall, they consumed mammalian prey species of distinct sizes. As a consequence, we found moderate dietary overlap between all pairs of felids and low between ocelot and the other species. Oncilla and margay seem to be cathemeral, jaguarundi diurnal, and ocelot nocturnal, which resulted in low to moderate temporal overlap between them, potentially decreasing interspecific encounters. Predator-prey temporal overlap seems to be moderate for oncilla, margay, and jaguarundi, but high for ocelot. Our results suggest that time partitioning associated with dietary differences contribute to the coexistence of this Neotropical small-felid assemblage, and that prey activity is a factor shaping their activity pattern, especially for ocelot.

According to apparent competition theory, the co-occurrence of two species that share the same predators appears to affect each other's population growth and abundance. However, due to habitat loss and over-hunting, top predators are being made rare worldwide. Considering that apparent competitors share similar resources, we would expect the absence of top predators to reflect in changes on prey realized trophic niches. To test our hypothesis, we developed a model to predict the abundance ratio of apparent competitor species based on changes in their realized trophic niches. We tested our model against field data on the Neotropical marsupials Didelphis aurita and Metachirus nudicaudatus. Our results revealed that D. aurita and M. nudicaudatus are two species under apparent competition and their realized trophic niche and diet overlap change according to the presence of top predators. The model was able to predict the actual relative abundances of D. aurita and M. nudicaudatus in the three empirical studies analyzed. Our study presents quantitative support to the apparent competition theory; however, the model's applications to other groups still need to be verified. Additionally, our study shows that the lack of top predators has consequences on the realized trophic niche of their prey, and therefore, we reinforce that conservation plans need to focus on the effects of top predator loss on ecosystems.

Incluye contenido parcial de los autores Abstract.Mammalian carnivores are considered a key group in maintaining ecologicalhealth and can indicate potential ecological integrity in landscapes where they occur. Carni-vores also hold high conservation value and their habitat requirements can guide managementand conservation plans. The order Carnivora has 84 species from 8 families in the Neotropicalregion: Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Otariidae; Phocidae; Procyonidae; andUrsidae. Herein, we include published and unpublished data on native terrestrial Neotropicalcarnivores (Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae). NEOTRO-PICAL CARNIVORES is a publicly available data set that includes 99,605 data entries from35,511 unique georeferenced coordinates. Detection/non-detection and quantitative data wereobtained from 1818 to 2018 by researchers, governmental agencies, non-governmental organi-zations, and private consultants. Data were collected using several methods including cameratrapping, museum collections, roadkill, line transect, and opportunistic records. Literature(peer-reviewed and grey literature) from Portuguese, Spanish and English were incorporated inthis compilation. Most of the data set consists of detection data entries (n=79,343; 79.7%) butalso includes non-detection data (n=20,262; 20.3%). Of those, 43.3% also include count data(n=43,151). The information available in NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES will contribute tomacroecological, ecological, and conservation questions in multiple spatio-temporal perspec-tives. As carnivores play key roles in trophic interactions, a better understanding of their distri-bution and habitat requirements are essential to establish conservation management plans andsafeguard the future ecological health of Neotropical ecosystems. Our data paper, combinedwith other large-scale data sets, has great potential to clarify species distribution and relatedecological processes within the Neotropics. There are no copyright restrictions and no restric-tion for using data from this data paper, as long as the data paper is cited as the source of theinformation used. We also request that users inform us of how they intend to use the data.

Defaunation is considered one of the main drivers of modifications in tropical ecosystems, extirpating many large-sized vertebrates, which in turn compromises key ecological functions. Although much attention has been given to predict the effects of species loss on ecological processes, there is a lack of information on the large-scale effects of defaunation. Knowledge gaps such as at which spatial scales biodiversity loss affects ecosystem functioning and ecological functions, and what is the relationship between species loss and preservation of ecological functions, remain poorly understood. Mammals perform important ecological functions, but are widely affected by habitat loss and modification, being considered as priority for conservation worldwide. Thus, determining the impact of land use changes on ecological patterns and process performed or influenced by mammals is of critical importance. Here, we detected erosion in the prevalence of ecological functions performed by mammals mediated by changes in the landscape structure of a tropical biodiversity hotspot in Brazil. By analyzing the loss of different ecological functions (vertebrate and invertebrate predation, seed dispersal, seed depredation, herbivory) in a defaunation gradient, we observed that vulnerable functions (performed by sensitive species) were positively related to patch size and forest cover and negatively related to anthropogenic cover. These relationships were reversed for persistent functions (performed by resilient species). Vulnerable functions were virtually restricted to large forest remnants, while persistent functions were prevalent in human-modified landscapes. Our study adds knowledge on how large-scale defaunation mediated by changes in landscape structure affects ecological functions.

Saguis exoticos, Callithrix jacchus e C. penicillata, da regiao de Campinas ocupam fragmentos, podendo atuar como competidores ou hibridizar com C. aurita. Para obter informacoes sobre os grupos de saguis do Parque Linear do Ribeirao das Pedras (Barao Geraldo, Campinas), foram obtidos dados de uso do espaco, composicao de grupos e dieta. Grupos foram localizados com play-back e busca ativa e observacoes de dieta obtidas pelo metodo de todas as ocorrencias. Foram registrados cinco grupos, tres dos quais emigraram durante periodo de estudo. Da dieta de origem vegetal, 58,5% foi goma (quatro arvores gomiferas); 30,4% frutos, e 11,1% de origem animal. Apesar de alguns itens principais da dieta serem plantas exoticas, isso nao tem impedido a sobrevivencia dos saguis nos fragmentos, mas favorecido o estabelecimento na regiao. Como os grupos podem aumentar futuramente, trazendo problemas ecologicos e de interacao com os moradores locais, e importante seu acompanhamento e possiveis medidas futuras de controle ou manejo.

For arboreal primates, ground use may increase dispersal opportunities, tolerance to habitat change, access to ground-based resources, and resilience to human disturbances, and so has conservation implications. We collated published and unpublished data from 86 studies across 65 localities to assess titi monkey (Callicebinae) terrestriality. We examined whether the frequency of terrestrial activity correlated with study duration (a proxy for sampling effort), rainfall level (a proxy for food availability seasonality), and forest height (a proxy for vertical niche dimension). Terrestrial activity was recorded frequently for Callicebus and Plecturocebus spp., but rarely for Cheracebus spp. Terrestrial resting, anti-predator behavior, geophagy, and playing frequencies in Callicebus and Plecturocebus spp., but feeding and moving differed. Callicebus spp. often ate or searched for new leaves terrestrially. Plecturocebus spp. descended primarily to ingest terrestrial invertebrates and soil. Study duration correlated positively and rainfall level negatively with terrestrial activity. Though differences in sampling effort and methods limited comparisons and interpretation, overall, titi monkeys commonly engaged in a variety of terrestrial activities. Terrestrial behavior in Callicebus and Plecturocebus capacities may bolster resistance to habitat fragmentation. However, it is uncertain if the low frequency of terrestriality recorded for Cheracebus spp. is a genus-specific trait associated with a more basal phylogenetic position, or because studies of this genus occurred in pristine habitats. Observations of terrestrial behavior increased with increasing sampling effort and decreasing food availability. Overall, we found a high frequency of terrestrial behavior in titi monkeys, unlike that observed in other pitheciids.

Although primate predation is rarely observed, a series of primate anti-predation strategies have been described. Energetic costs of such strategies can vary from high-cost mobbing, via less costly alarm calling, to low-cost furtive concealment. Here we report the anti-predation strategies of red-nosed cuxiú, Chiropotes albinasus, based on direct observations from four study sites in southeastern Brazilian Amazonia. Over a collective period of 1255 fieldwork hours, we observed nine direct interactions between raptors (all potential predators) and red-nosed cuxiús. Of these, one (11%) resulted in predation. Raptors involved were: Harpia harpyja (four events), Leucopternis sp. (two events), Spizaëtus tyrannus (one event), and unidentified large raptors (two events). Predation attempts occurred in flooded-forest and terra firme rainforest, were directed at both adult and non-adult cuxiús, and involved both adult and juvenile raptors. Anti-predation strategies adopted by the cuxiús included: (1) group defence and mobbing behaviour (two occasions), (2) dropping into dense sub-canopy (seven occasions), (3) alarm calling (eight occasions), and (4) fleeing to, and hiding in, dense vegetation (eight occasions). During each encounter at least two of these behaviours were recorded. These are the first published records of predation, predation attempts, and anti-predator behaviour involving red-nosed cuxiú.

Many primates have to cope with a temporal scarcity in food availability that shapes their foraging strategies. Here we investigated the changes in diet, activity, and ranging behavior of a group of black-fronted titi monkeys (Callicebus nigrifrons) according to the availability of the main high-nutritional-density item in their diet and the foraging strategy adopted when this food is scarce. We monitored one habituated group using instantaneous scan sampling over 1 year (533 h of observation, 61 days) in a seasonal tropical forest fragment (245 ha). We simultaneously collected data on food availability with fruit traps. The titi monkeys consumed fleshy fruits, the main high-nutritional-density item of their diet, in accordance with its availability, and the availability of this item modulated the ingestion of vegetative plant parts, a relatively low-nutritional-density food. During high fleshy fruit availability, the titi monkeys consumed more fleshy fruits, flowers, and invertebrates. They also traveled more, but concentrated their activity in a central area of their home range. Conversely, during fleshy fruit scarcity, they increased the breadth of their diet, switching to one richer in seeds and vegetative plant parts, and with greater plant diversity. At the same time, they reduced most energy-demanding activities, traveling less and over shorter distances, but using their home range more broadly. Corroborating the optimal foraging theory, titi monkeys altered foraging strategies according to temporal food fluctuations and responded to low fleshy fruit availability by changing their diet, activity, and ranging behavior. The adoption of a low-cost/low-yield strategy allowed us to classify them as energy minimizers.

O presente trabalho visou a análise dos felídeos que ocorrem em um fragmento próximo à Serra dos Cocais (Valinhos, SP), relacionando-os com a preservação da biodiversidade do local.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T15:25:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-01-01 In the Anthropocene, many animal populations are increasingly confined to human-modified landscapes, in which different spatial variables describing landscape composition and configuration influence species persistence. Forest specialist species are particularly vulnerable to these landscape disturbances. Yet, landscape effects may be undetected if assessed at the wrong spatial scale. Thus, identifying the “scale of effect”, which is the optimal spatial scale for estimating ecological responses to each landscape variable, is needed to understand the impact of landscape structure modification on species. Here, we explored the scale of effect of two compositional (forest cover and anthropogenic cover) and two configurational landscape variables (forest patch density and forest edge density) on two ecological responses: primate species richness and group densities of titi monkeys (Callicebus nigrifrons). We sampled 16 study sites in northeastern São Paulo State, Brazil. For each site, we measured each landscape variable within 10 different-sized landscapes ranging from 0.2 to 28.3 km 2 to identify the scale of effect of each landscape variable. The strength of all the primate-landscape relationships varied across spatial scales. Although both ecological responses were most strongly associated with forest cover at the largest scale, the scale of effect of the other landscape variables differed between the response variables. These results suggest that each response variable is shaped by landscape patterns and processes operating across different spatial scales. We highlight the importance of separately assessing the scale of effect of each landscape variable on each ecological response to better understand the impact of landscape structure on species persistence. Departamento de Biologia Animal Universidade Estadual de Campinas Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Laboratório de Ecologia Espacial e Conservação (LEEC) Departamento de Ecologia Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Instituto de Ciências da Natureza Universidade Federal de Alfenas Laboratório de Ecologia Espacial e Conservação (LEEC) Departamento de Ecologia Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)

Xenarthrans -anteaters, sloths, and armadillos- have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. Have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become. Fil: Marques Santos, Paloma. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Brasil Fil: Bocchiglieri, Adriana. Universidade Federal de Sergipe; Brasil Fil: Garcia Chiarello, Adriano. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Pereira Paglia, Adriano. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Brasil Fil: Moreira, Adryelle. Amplo Engenharia e Gestão de Projetos ; Brasil Fil: Abba, Agustin Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; Argentina Fil: Paviolo, Agustin Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical; Argentina Fil: Gatica, Ailin. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; Argentina Fil: Ochoa, Ana Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; Argentina Fil: de Angelo, Carlos Daniel. Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto. Facultad de Cs.exactas Fisicoquimicas y Naturales. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra, Biodiversidad y Ambiente. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Cordoba. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra, Biodiversidad y Ambiente.; Argentina Fil: Tellaeche, Cintia Gisele. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Centro de Estudios Ambientales Territoriales y Sociales; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas; Argentina Fil: Varela, Diego Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina Fil: Vanderhoeven, Ezequiel Andres. Ministerio de Salud. Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Caruso, María Flavia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Administración de Parques Nacionales. Delegación Regional del Noroeste; Argentina Fil: Arrabal, Juan Pablo. Secretaria de Gobierno de Salud. Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical - Sede Puerto Iguazú Misiones; Argentina. Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico; Argentina Fil: Iezzi, María Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina Fil: Di Bitetti, Mario Santiago. Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina Fil: Cruz, Paula Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina. Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico; Argentina Fil: Reppucci, Juan Ignacio. Administración de Parques Nacionales. Delegación Regional del Noroeste; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Benito Santamaria, Silvia. Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina Fil: Quiroga, Verónica Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; Argentina Fil: Di Blanco, Yamil Edgardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina Fil: Marás, Gustavo Arnaldo. Administración de Parques Nacionales. Delegación Regional del Noroeste; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Camino, Micaela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral; Argentina Fil: Perovic, Pablo Gastón. Administración de Parques Nacionales. Delegación Regional del Noroeste; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Martínez Pardo, Julia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina Fil: Costa, Sebastián Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina Fil: Pinheiro, Fabiana. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasil Fil: Volkmer de Castilho, Pedro. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil Fil: Bercê, William. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil Fil: Camara Assis, Julia. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho. Faculdade de Engenharia.; Brasil Fil: Rodrigues Tonetti, Vinicius. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil Fil: Alves Eigenheer, Milene. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil Fil: Chinem, Simonne. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Honda, Laura K.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil Fil: Bergallo, Helena de Godoy. Universidade do Estado de Rio do Janeiro; Brasil Fil: Alberici, Vinicius. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Wallace, Robert. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados Unidos Fil: Ribeiro, Milton Cezar. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Galetti, Mauro. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T16:55:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-01-01 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Primates play an important role in ecosystem functioning and offer critical insights into human evolution, biology, behavior, and emerging infectious diseases. There are 26 primate species in the Atlantic Forests of South America, 19 of them endemic. We compiled a dataset of 5,472 georeferenced locations of 26 native and 1 introduced primate species, as hybrids in the genera Callithrix and Alouatta. The dataset includes 700 primate communities, 8,121 single species occurrences and 714 estimates of primate population sizes, covering most natural forest types of the tropical and subtropical Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina and some other biomes. On average, primate communities of the Atlantic Forest harbor 2 ± 1 species (range = 1–6). However, about 40% of primate communities contain only one species. Alouatta guariba (N = 2,188 records) and Sapajus nigritus (N = 1,127) were the species with the most records. Callicebus barbarabrownae (N = 35), Leontopithecus caissara (N = 38), and Sapajus libidinosus (N = 41) were the species with the least records. Recorded primate densities varied from 0.004 individuals/km 2 (Alouatta guariba at Fragmento do Bugre, Paraná, Brazil) to 400 individuals/km 2 (Alouatta caraya in Santiago, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil). Our dataset reflects disparity between the numerous primate census conducted in the Atlantic Forest, in contrast to the scarcity of estimates of population sizes and densities. With these data, researchers can develop different macroecological and regional level studies, focusing on communities, populations, species co-occurrence and distribution patterns. Moreover, the data can also be used to assess the consequences of fragmentation, defaunation, and disease outbreaks on different ecological processes, such as trophic cascades, species invasion or extinction, and community dynamics. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this Data Paper when the data are used in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using the data. Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), CP. 199 Instituto de Biología Subtropical (IBS) Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), sede Iguazú, Bertoni 85 Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico (CeIBA) Secretaria da Saúde do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul Centro Estadual de Vigilância em Saúde Divisão de Vigilância Ambiental em Saúde. R., Domingos Crescêncio 132 Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Escola de Ciências, Av. Ipiranga, 6681 Pd. 12A Departamento de Ecologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), CP. 199 Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro Programa de Pós-Graduação em Botânica Escola Nacional de Botânica Tropical Centro Brasileiro de Estudos em Ecologia de Estradas (CBEE) Universidade Federal de Lavras Mammal Ecology and Behavior Lab Department of Animal Biology Institute of Biology University of Campinas (UNICAMP) Núcleo em Ecologia e Desenvolvimento Socioambiental de Macaé (NUPEM) Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Campus Macaé, Av. São José do Barreto 764 Núcleo de Ciências Ambientais (NCA) Laboratório de Mapeamento e Análise da Paisagem (LabMAP) Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes (UMC) Núcleo de Estudos da Biodiversidade da Amazônia Meridional Instituto de Ciências Naturais Humanas e Sociais Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT), Av. Alexandre Ferronato, 1200 Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Curso de Ciências Biológicas Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Rua Imaculada Conceição 1155 Casa da Floresta Ambiental SS, Av. Joaninha Morganti, Monte Alegre 289 Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada à Conservação Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Km. 16 Rodovia Jorge Amado Caipora Cooperativa para a Conservação da Natureza Departamento de Biologia Faculdade de Filosofia Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Av. Bandeirantes 3900 Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais (UEMG), Praça dos Estudantes, 23 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Av. André Araújo, 2936 Petrópolis Laboratório de Evolução e Genética Animal Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Av. Gal. Rodrigo Otávio J. Ramos 3000, Setor Sul, ICB 02, Sala 09 Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação de Mamíferos Universidade Federal de Lavras Facultad de Ciencias Forestales Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM) Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética Biodiversidade e Conservação Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia (UESB), Av. José Moreira Sobrinho, s/n Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Aves Silvestres (CEMAVE/ICMBIO), BR 230 - KM 10, Floresta Nacional da Restinga de Cabedelo Departamento de Zoologia Programa de Pós Graduação em Zoologia Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) Instituto Itapoty: Desenvolvimento Humano e Conservação Ambiental, 18.690-000 Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde Universidade Federal de São Carlos(UFSCar) Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Animal) Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Av. Fernando Ferrari, 514, Goiabeiras Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia Centro de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio), EQSW 103/104, Bloco C, Complexo Administrativo Departamento de Recursos Ambientais (DPRA) Divisão de Meio Ambiente (DVMA) Instituto de Tecnologia para o Desenvolvimento - Institutos Lactec, Rodovia BR-116, km 98, 8813, Jardim das Américas Laboratório de Ecologia Universidade Federal do Amapá (Unifap), Rod. JK, Km 2, Jardim Marco Zero Departamento de Ciências Agrárias Universidade Federal de São João del Rei (UFSJ), Campus Sete Lagoas, Rod. MG-424, km 48 Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del Noroeste Argentino (IBIGEO) CONICET Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação de Biodiversidade Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Ecossistemas Universidade Vila Velha (UVV) R. Comissário José Dantas de Melo, 21, Boa Vista Centre for Virology Research Ribeirão Preto Medical School University of São Paulo (USP) Centro Universitário Norte do Espírito Santo (CEUNES) Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade Tropical Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Rodovia BR 101 Norte, km 60, Litorâneo R. Esmeralda, 43, CP142 Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (IPÊ), CP 47 Centro de Biociências Departamento de Ecologia Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) Instituto de Pesquisa e Conservação de Tamanduás no Brasil Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Uso de Recursos Naturais (PPG-BURN) Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros (UNIMONTES), CP. 126, Vila Mauricéia Departamento de Engenharia Florestal Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Av. Purdue, s/n°, Campus Universitário, Edif. Reinaldo de Jesus Araújo Unidade Acadêmica Especial (UAE) de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG) Regional Jataí, Br364, km 192, n. 3800, Parque Industrial Parque Nacional Iguazú Administracion de Parques Nacionales de Argentina Departamento de Zoologia Setor de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), CP 19020, Jardim das Américas Laboratório de Biodiversidade de Mamíferos do Sul do Brasil Departamento de Biologia Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste do Paraná, Campus CEDETEG, R. Simeão Camargo Varela de Sá, 03, Vila Carli Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave Fundación de História Natural Félix de Azara Departamento de Ciências Faculdade de Formação de es Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) Bicho do Mato Instituto de Pesquisa Departamento de Biologia Geral Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Antonio Carlos Centre for Ecology Evolution and Conservation School of Environmental Sciences University of East Anglia Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA) Núcleo de Pesquisas de Roraima (NPRR), 69.301-150 Instituto Florestal, Rua do Horto 931 Amazonian Mammals Research Group (AMRG) Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA) Laboratório de Ecologia Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Av. José Moreira Sobrinho, s/n Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Evolução Universidade Federal de Goiás Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia (PNPD/CAPES) Universidade Estadual de Campinas Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Ambientais Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso (UNEMAT), Av. Santos Dumont, s/n, Cidade Universitária (Bloco II) Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) Fundación Para La Tierra Centro IDEAL School of Biological Sciences University of Aberdeen Instituto SerraDiCal de Pesquisa e Conservação R. José Hemetério de Andrade, 570, 30.493-180 Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi Programa de Pós-graduação em Zoologia Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA) Faculdade Guairacá, R. XV de novembro, 7050, Centro, 85.010-000 Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Primatas Brasileiros (CPB), Praça Antenor Navarro, 5, Varadouro Centro Histórico Departamento de Ecologia Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Av. Marechal Rondon, s/n. Rosa Elze RUMO S.A Licenciamento Ambiental, Rua Emílio Bertolini, 100, Vila Oficinas Departamento de Zoologia Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas João Pessoa Universidade Federal da Paraíba Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais Universidade Federal de Alfenas Institut universitaire et technologique d'Avignon Université d'Avignon et des Pays du Vaucluse, 337 chemin des Meinajaries, BP 1207 Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), CP. 199 Departamento de Ecologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), CP. 199

Many birds and primates use loud vocalizations to mediate agonistic interactions with conspecifics, either as solos by males or females, or as coordinated duets. The extensive variation in duet complexity, the contribution of each sex, and the context in which duets are produced suggest that duets may serve several functions, including territory and mate defense. Titi monkeys (Callicebus spp.) are believed to defend their home range via solo loud calls or coordinated duets. Yet there are remarkably few experimental studies assessing the function of these calls. Observations of interactions between wild established groups and solitary individuals are rare and, therefore, controlled experiments are required to simulate such situations and evaluate the mate and joint territorial defense hypotheses. We conducted playback experiments with three free-ranging groups of habituated black-fronted titi monkeys (Callicebus nigrifrons) to test these hypotheses. We found that titi monkeys responded to the three conspecific playback treatments (duets, female solos, and male solos) and did not respond to the heterospecific control treatment. The monkeys did not show sex-specific responses to solos (N = 12 trials). Partners started to duet together in 79% of their responses to playback-simulated rivals (N = 14 calls in response to playback). Males started to approach the loudspeaker before females regardless of the type of stimulus. The strength of the response of mated pairs to all three conspecific treatments was similar. Overall, our results are consistent with the idea that black-fronted titi monkeys use their loud calls in intergroup communication as a mechanism of joint territorial defense. Am. J. Primatol. 77:1135–1142, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Pitheciids are known for their frugivorous diets, but there has been no broad-scale comparison of fruit genera used by these primates that range across five geographic regions in South America. We compiled 31 fruit lists from data collected from 18 species (three Cacajao, six Callicebus, five Chiropotes, and four Pithecia) at 26 study sites in six countries. Together, these lists contained 455 plant genera from 96 families. We predicted that 1) closely related Chiropotes and Cacajao would demonstrate the greatest similarity in fruit lists; 2) pitheciids living in closer geographic proximity would have greater similarities in fruit lists; and 3) fruit genus richness would be lower in lists from forest fragments than continuous forests. Fruit genus richness was greatest for the composite Chiropotes list, even though Pithecia had the greatest overall sampling effort. We also found that the Callicebus composite fruit list had lower similarity scores in comparison with the composite food lists of the other three genera (both within and between geographic areas). Chiropotes and Pithecia showed strongest similarities in fruit lists, followed by sister taxa Chiropotes and Cacajao. Overall, pitheciids in closer proximity had more similarities in their fruit list, and this pattern was evident in the fruit lists for both Callicebus and Chiropotes. There was no difference in the number of fruit genera used by pitheciids in habitat fragments and continuous forest. Our findings demonstrate that pitheciids use a variety of fruit genera, but phylogenetic and geographic patterns in fruit use are not consistent across all pitheciid genera. This study represents the most extensive examination of pitheciid fruit consumption to date, but future research is needed to investigate the extent to which the trends in fruit genus richness noted here are attributable to habitat differences among study sites, differences in feeding ecology, or a combination of both.

We evaluated puma (Puma concolor) feeding patterns in southeastern Brazilian agricultural landscapes using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses of hair collected from fecal samples (N = 64). We classified the samples into three groups: feeding patterns based on forest remnants, on the agricultural matrix or both. We observed a predominance of consumption of C3 prey (~47% of individuals) in the area with the highest proportion of forest coverage. Conversely, C4 prey were highly consumed (~40% of individuals) where the agricultural matrix was predominant. The δ13C values for pumas in both areas indicated that their food resources come from both forest remnants and the agricultural matrix and that some individuals preferentially consumed C4 prey, indicating that food resources from the agricultural matrix make up most of their diet (~46% of prey individuals). The wide range of puma's δ15N values in both areas indicated a diet based on different types of prey. However, the C4 group had higher values, indicating that both pumas and their prey feed on enriched resources from the agricultural matrix. The results confirm the high behavioral plasticity of pumas in using highly anthropogenic habitats. The stable isotope analyses conducted in this study yielded new information on large carnivore trophic ecology that might be useful in the development of new conservation strategies in disturbed areas.

Loud calls can be heard over long distances due to their high amplitude and low frequency. These calls are commonly used for both within- and between-group communication in many bird and primate species. In the Neotropics, mated pairs of socially monogamous titi monkeys (genus Callicebus) emit conspicuous, coordinated loud calls. These vocalizations appear to play a role in territorial defense, a hypothesis derived from studies of only three of the 31 recognized Callicebus species. Here, we describe the acoustic properties and organization of the loud calls of black-fronted titi monkeys (Callicebus nigrifrons). We compare the behavioral and ecological contexts associated with these vocalizations to investigate their role in within- and between-group communication, resource defense, and mate defense. Black-fronted titi monkeys create loud calls by combining a finite number of syllables to form more complex phrases, which are assembled to compose long sequences of loud calls. Bioacoustic features distinguish the loud calls used in different contexts, involving communication within- and between-groups. We found support for the hypothesis that vocalizations used for between-group communication are cooperative displays used by the mated pair and other group members to regulate access to important food resources, such as fruits. On the other hand, we only found weak support for the mate defense hypothesis. Am. J. Primatol. 76:788–800, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The maintenance of body temperature in endothermic animals imposesconsiderable metabolic costs that vary with air temperature fluctuations.To minimise these costs, endotherms can adopt certain behaviours to adjustthe pattern of heat transfer between their bodies and the environment. Inthis study, we evaluated whether a small Neotropical primate, the black-fronted titi monkey (Callicebus nigrifrons), living in a seasonal environmentcan use behavioural mechanisms to cope with fluctuations in the air tem-perature. We monitored the air temperature and the titi monkeys’ behav-iour over 1 yr. When the animals were inactive, we recorded themicrohabitat used, the huddling between individuals and the body posturesadopted. The monkeys primarily responded to air temperature fluctuationsthrough microhabitat selection: they spent more time in sunny places andused higher strata of forest under lower temperatures. Moreover, they usedsunny microhabitats during the first hour of their active period after coldernights. The monkeys did not huddle or change body postures in responseto air temperature fluctuations. Huddling behaviour seemed to be primarilyinfluenced bysocial interactions, and bodypostures were moreenergy con-serving, regardless of temperature. Titi monkeys, however, used moreenergy-conserving postures and huddling behaviour under cloudy condi-tions than sunny conditions, suggesting that these behaviours may beimportant when they are unable to thermoregulate by microhabitat selec-tion. We concluded that fluctuations in air temperature can promote signif-icant changes in the behaviour of titi monkeys and can impose importantrestrictions on mammals’ activities, even in tropical regions.IntroductionTo survive, animals must keep their body temperaturein a suitable range for cellular reactions, particularlythose facilitated by enzymes (Randall et al. 1997). Inendothermic animals, the heat used in thermoregula-tion is primarily acquired from metabolic processes(Schmidt-Nielsen 1997) and therefore imposes ener-getic costs (Pough et al. 2002). These costs can varywith air temperature fluctuation and increase whenthe air temperature is beyond the upper or lower lim-its of the animals’ thermoneutral zone (Randall et al.1997), which is the environmental temperature rangeover which endotherms expend less energy to keepthe core body temperature stable (Schmidt-Nielsen1997).Because endotherms, similar to other animals, areconstantly exchanging energy with the environmentthrough radiation, conduction and convection, thisexchange also needs to be regulated behaviourally tomaintain a stable body temperature (Porter & Gates1969; Pough et al. 2002). In fact, to endotherms,behavioural mechanisms may be as important to bodytemperature maintenance as physiological mecha-nisms. Small mammals, for example, can actually diewhen prevented from performing behavioural ther-moregulation in extremely low temperatures (Ivanov2006).Animals can adjust the direction and pattern ofheat transfer between their body and the environ-ment through behavioural thermoregulation, whichis mainly comprised of postural changes and

Species co-existence depends on how organisms utilize their environment and resources. When two sympatric species are similar in some ecological requirements, their coexistence may arise from differences in resource use over time and/or space. Interactions among coexisting marsupials remain poorly understood, especially in the Neotropics. Here we combine spatial niche measurements, individual-resource networks, and isotopic niche approaches, to investigate the ecological strategies used by the Neotropical marsupials Didelphis aurita and Metachirus nudicaudatus to co-occur in an area of Serra do Mar State Park (southeast of Brazil). Both individual-resource networks and isotopic niche approaches indicate similar patterns of omnivory for both species. Isotopic analysis showed the species' trophic niche to be similar, with 52% of overlap, and no differences between proportional contributions of each resource to their diets. Moreover, individual-resource network analysis found no evidence of diet nestedness or segregation. The trophic niche overlap observed was associated with spatial segregation between species. Despite using the same area over the year, D. aurita and M. nudicaudatus exhibited spatial segregation among seasons. These results illustrate that the detection of spatial segregation is scale-dependent and must be carefully considered. In conclusion, our findings provide a new perspective on the ecology of these two Neotropical marsupials by illustrating how the association of distinct but complementary methods can be applied to reach a more complete understanding of resource partitioning and species coexistence.

Despite recent findings on the ecological relevance of within population diet variation far less attention has been devoted to the role diet variation for ecological services. Seed dispersal is a key ecological service, a!ecting plant fitness and regen eration based on foraging by fruit-eating vertebrates. Here we used a network approach, widely used to understand how seed-dispersal is organized at the species level, to gain insights into the patterns that emerge at the individual-level. We studied the individual fruit consumption behavior of a South American didelphid Didelphis albiventris, during the cool‐ dry and warm‐wet seasons. In species‐species networks the heterogeneity in specialization levels generates patterns such as nestedness and asymmetry. Because generalist populations may be comprised of specialized individuals, we hypothesized that network structural properties, such as nestedness, should also emerge at the individual level. We detected variation in fruit consumption that was not related to resource availability, ontogenetic or sexual factors or sampling biases. Such variation resulted in the structural patterns often found in species‐species seed-dispersal networks: low connectance, a high degree of nestedness and the absence of modules. Moreover structure varied between the warm‐wet and cool‐dry seasons, presumably as a consequence of seasonal fluctuation in fruit availability. Our findings suggest individuals may di!er in selectivity causing asymmetries in seed dispersal e"ciency within the population. In this sense the realized dispersal would di!er from the expected dispersal estimated from their average dispersal potential. Additionally the results suggest possible frequency-dependent e!ects on seed dispersal that might a!ect individual plant performance and plant community composition.

Neotropical monkeys of the genera Cacajao, Chiropotes, and Pithecia (Pitheciidae) are considered to be highly arboreal, spending most of their time feeding and traveling in the upper canopy. Until now, the use of terrestrial substrates has not been analyzed in detail in this group. Here, we review the frequency of terrestrial use among pitheciin taxa to determine the ecological and social conditions that might lead to such behavior. We collated published and unpublished data from 14 taxa in the three genera. Data were gleaned from 53 published studies (including five on multiple pitheciin genera) and personal communications of unpublished data distributed across 31 localities. Terrestrial activity was reported in 61% of Pithecia field studies (11 of 18), in 34% of Chiropotes studies (10 of 29), and 36% of Cacajao studies (4 of 11). Within Pithecia, terrestrial behavior was more frequently reported in smaller species (e.g. P. pithecia) that are vertical clingers and leapers and make extensive use of the understory than in in the larger bodied canopy dwellers of the western Amazon (e.g. P. irrorata). Terrestrial behavior in Pithecia also occurred more frequently and lasted longer than in Cacajao or Chiropotes. An apparent association was found between flooded habitats and terrestrial activity and there is evidence of the development of a “local pattern” of terrestrial use in some populations. Seasonal fruit availability also may stimulate terrestrial behavior. Individuals also descended to the ground when visiting mineral licks, escaping predators, and responding to accidents such as a dropped infant. Overall, the results of this review emphasize that terrestrial use is rare among the pitheciins in general and is usually associated with the exploitation of specific resources or habitat types. Am. J. Primatol. 74:1106-1127, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Capuchin monkeys occupy a wide range of habitats where they feed on fruits, arthropods, and vertebrates. Their large home ranges (80-900 ha) suggest that living in forest fragments may challenge their adaptability. We identified and quantified the main food items of Cebus libidinosus Spix, 1823 in forests fragments (100 ha) in southeastern Brazil. We recorded the feeding activities of two groups using scan sampling over a 13-month period. The diet was composed of fruits, crops, animal prey, seeds, plant matter and undetermined. Fruit was eaten more in the wet season than in the dry season, and maize and sugar cane consumption peaked in the early dry season. The proportion of fruit in the diet was positively correlated with fruiting intensity of zoochorous trees. The plant diet included 54 species, with maize, Rhamnidium elaeocarpus, Acrocomia aculeata, Guazuma ulmifolia and Cariniana, being most important. Although dietary composition and diversity were similar to capuchins in larger forest fragments, feeding on crops attained higher percentages at times when zoochorous fruit production was low in fragments.Macacos-prego ocupam uma vasta gama de ambientes onde alimentam-se de frutos, artrópodes e vertebrados. Suas grandes áreas de vida (80-900 ha) sugerem que viver em fragmentos florestais pode ser um desafio a sua adaptabilidade. Foram identificados e quantificados os principais itens alimentares de Cebus libidinosus Spix, 1823 em fragmentos florestais (100 ha) no sudeste do Brasil. Registraram-se as atividades alimentares de dois grupos usando a varredura instantânea durante um período de 13 meses. A dieta compôs-se de frutos, presas animais, cultivares, sementes, material vegetal e indeterminado. Os frutos foram consumidos mais na estação chuvosa do que na estação seca e o consumo de milho e cana atingiu um pico no início da estação seca. A proporção de frutos na dieta foi positivamente correlacionada com a intensidade de frutificação das árvores zoocóricas. A dieta vegetal incluiu 54 espécies, com milho, Rhamnidium elaeocarpus, Acrocomia aculeata, Guazuma ulmifolia e Cariniana, sendo os mais importantes. Embora a composição da dieta e a diversidade tenham sido similares a grupos de macacos-prego em grandes fragmentos florestais, o uso de cultivares atingiu altas porcentagens em épocas quando a produção de frutos zoocóricos foi baixa nos fragmentos.

Data on the reproductive patterns of the Brazilian slender opossum (Marmosops paulensis) were collected in an area of Montane Atlantic forest, southeastern Brazil, from August 2002 to July 2004. Reproduction occurred from September to March in both years, a period of high food supply, probably as a way to maximize survival of juveniles. There was nearly zero postmating survival, thus, no individual took part in more than 1 breeding event. This pattern characterizes a semelparous life history, which has been described in other small didelphids and dasyurids. Females were reproductively active during months with longer day lengths and abundant fruit supply. Breeding seems to be initiated by a 12L:12D photoperiod and a rapid rate of change in day length, as demonstrated in semelparous dasyurids. Hence, the effect of photoperiodic cues on the onset of reproduction also may stand for other semelparous didelphids. We suggest that fruit availability controlled the length of breeding activity in M. paulensis, and it could play a role in the occurrence of semelparity in this species. However, semelparity may occur only due to phylogenetic constraints, whereas food supply works as a selective force maintaining this trait.

Prior field studies of Alouatta showed the highest frugivory in A. belzebul. During 10 mo between October 1999 and October 2000, we studied the feeding ecology of a group of 7–9 red-handed howlers (Alouatta belzebul discolor) in a primary forest on the banks of a tributary of the Teles Pires River, near Paranaita, MT, Brazil (9°34′S; 56°19′W). The howlers used 3 types of habitat: upland (terra firme) forest, flood plain forest (igapo) and palm forest (acaizal). During 45 complete days of observation, the group fed on 67 plant species (N = 2039 feeding records) in 24 families. The 2 most used families were Leguminosae and Moraceae, with 17 species each. Fruits predominated (40–80%) in every month, except June, when young leaves accounted for 54% of the diet. Dialium guianense (Leguminosal, Caesalpinioideae) was the most consumed species. Flower (6%) and mature leaf (5%) consumptions were low. Tree bark, live and decayed wood, and woody twig monthly consumption varied from 0 to 26%, and occurred only in igapo, where they used mostly Macrolobium acaciaefolium (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae), Clitoria amazonum (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) and Licania cf. canescens (Chrysobalanaceae). Our study on Alouatta belzebul discolor complements the high frugivory in A. b. belzebul and documents uncommon dietary items for the species. Although there is intraspecific variation in howler diets and new studies have shown higher frugivory for more folivorous species, Alouatta belzebul seems to be the most frugivorous howler species, in spite of its wide geographical distribution and, in this case, sympatry with Ateles chamek, a frugivore.

The maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus is the largest canid inhabiting South America. Its geographic distribution includes the open fields of Brazil's central area, which is currently undergoing agricultural expansion. The diet of the maned wolf and its seasonal variation was determined on a dairy cattle ranch (Sao Luis farm, 566 ha) in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. From January to December faeces of the maned wolf were collected monthly (n = 150 scats; 397 food item occurrences). Twenty-nine taxa were identified from scats, 18 of animal origin (46% or 183 occurrences) and 11 of plants (54% or 214 occurrences). The fruits of Solanum lycocarpum were the dominant food item in our study (29%). Mammals contributed 13%, arthropods 12%, birds 11% and reptiles 2% of the food items. Arthropods and fruits were prevalent in the rainy season and mammals in the dry season. As expected for a heavily farmed region, frugivory results were at the lower end of the diversity scale (9–33 species) and included four old garden species. No previous study of the diet of maned wolf has registered as many species of Solanaceae as this one. Although dietary richness was lower, the main food items (wolf fruit, armadillos, rodents, birds) were the same as study sites in ‘cerrado’ and upland meadows. In this region, the open habitats occupied by the maned wolf were previously covered by Atlantic forest, suggesting that landscape modification such as cattle ranching has opened new frontiers for distribution expansion of the maned wolf. The impact of loss of dietary richness and the increase in Solanaceae on the survival of the maned wolf need to be evaluated.

Many birds and primates use loud vocalizations to mediate agonistic interactions with conspecifics, either as solos by males or females, or as coordinated duets. The extensive variation in duet complexity, the contribution of each sex, and the context in which duets are produced suggest that duets may serve several functions, including territory and mate defense. Titi monkeys (Callicebus spp.) are believed to defend their home range via solo loud calls or coordinated duets. Yet there are remarkably few experimental studies assessing the function of these calls. Observations of interactions between wild established groups and solitary individuals are rare and, therefore, controlled experiments are required to simulate such situations and evaluate the mate and joint territorial defense hypotheses. We conducted playback experiments with three free-ranging groups of habituated black-fronted titi monkeys (Callicebus nigrifrons) to test these hypotheses. We found that titi monkeys responded to the three conspecific playback treatments (duets, female solos, and male solos) and did not respond to the heterospecific control treatment. The monkeys did not show sex-specific responses to solos (N = 12 trials). Partners started to duet together in 79% of their responses to playback-simulated rivals (N = 14 calls in response to playback). Males started to approach the loudspeaker before females regardless of the type of stimulus. The strength of the response of mated pairs to all three conspecific treatments was similar. Overall, our results are consistent with the idea that black-fronted titi monkeys use their loud calls in intergroup communication as a mechanism of joint territorial defense.

Pitheciids are known for their frugivorous diets, but there has been no broad-scale comparison of fruit genera used by these primates that range across five geographic regions in South America. We compiled 31 fruit lists from data collected from 18 species (three Cacajao, six Callicebus, five Chiropotes, and four Pithecia) at 26 study sites in six countries. Together, these lists contained 455 plant genera from 96 families. We predicted that 1) closely related Chiropotes and Cacajao would demonstrate the greatest similarity in fruit lists; 2) pitheciids living in closer geographic proximity would have greater similarities in fruit lists; and 3) fruit genus richness would be lower in lists from forest fragments than continuous forests. Fruit genus richness was greatest for the composite Chiropotes list, even though Pithecia had the greatest overall sampling effort. We also found that the Callicebus composite fruit list had lower similarity scores in comparison with the composite food lists of the other three genera (both within and between geographic areas). Chiropotes and Pithecia showed strongest similarities in fruit lists, followed by sister taxa Chiropotes and Cacajao. Overall, pitheciids in closer proximity had more similarities in their fruit list, and this pattern was evident in the fruit lists for both Callicebus and Chiropotes. There was no difference in the number of fruit genera used by pitheciids in habitat fragments and continuous forest. Our findings demonstrate that pitheciids use a variety of fruit genera, but phylogenetic and geographic patterns in fruit use are not consistent across all pitheciid genera. This study represents the most extensive examination of pitheciid fruit consumption to date, but future research is needed to investigate the extent to which the trends in fruit genus richness noted here are attributable to habitat differences among study sites, differences in feeding ecology, or a combination of both.

Analysis of 141 scats of maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus collected in a region of upland forest and meadows of south-eastern Brazil yielded 351 food items in the wet season (60 scats) and 407 in the dry season (81 scats). Scarabaeidae and rodents were the most frequent animal food in both seasons, complemented by birds in the wet season and unidentified mammals in the dry season. Seeds revealed Solanum lycocarpum to be the most frequent plant food in the dry season and an Annonaceae and a Cactaceae the most frequent in the wet season. A total of 33 seed morphospecies were retrieved. Although our results reveal some shared and some divergent trends from dietary studies undertaken in savanna (‘cerrado’) areas, we found a very high frequency of potentially harmful tourists' garbage. This highlights the necessity for better environmental education and confirms that the maned wolf is a generalist and opportunist omnivore.

The feeding ecology of the Atlantic forest marmosets (Callithrix spp.) in southeastern Brazil is poorly known, and few studies have focused on buffy tufted-eared marmosets, Callithrix aurita. We determined the food items and investigated the seasonal variation in the diet of a group of four Callithrix aurita in a 17-ha semideciduous forest fragment in southern Minas Gerais State, Brazil. We recorded daily feeding activities between October 1994 and September 1995 using scan sampling at 5-min intervals. The marmosets devoted feeding time to gums (50.5%), fruits (11%), and animal prey (38.5%) in a total of 499 records. Plant resources comprised 27 species from 16 families. They used Acacia paniculata (Mimosoideae, Leguminosae), the main gum source (82%), year-round. Maclura tinctoria (Moraceae) was the fruit species that they consumed most (22%). The marmosets preyed on caterpillars (33%), katydids (5%), and homopterans (4%). Feeding on fruits varied seasonally and was inversely related to gum feeding. Consumption of animal prey remained constant over the year. The wide and year-round dependence on gum suggests that Acacia may play a critical role in marmoset persistence in forest fragments.

The golden-faced saki monkey Pithecia pithecia chrysocephala (Cebidae, Primates) was observed eating soil from termite nests during a long-term study of a family group in a Central Amazonian forest fragment. In this paper we describe the behaviour involved in the geophagy in these monkeys, and the results of geochemical and physical analyses of the termite nest material, as well as root mat and topsoil samples below the trees, in order to clarify the possible reasons for it. The sakis ate soil from nine arboreal termite nests on 26 soil feeding-bouts (in 853 observation hours); 25 soil feeding-bouts occurred in March 1987 (rainy season), during 19 days or 132 observation hours, and occupied 0.7% of the feeding time. Geophagy frequencies did not differ between sexes (17 feeding-bouts of four females and 8 for two males). Mineral composition was higher in arboreal termitaria than in the topsoil. Kaolinite was the major clay component. Tannin adsorptive capacity, tested through a modified radial diffusion method of Hagerman, was around 10–20%, similar to a control with kaolin (10–20%), but lower than bentonite or celite (30–45%). The observations reported here, although inconclusive as to the function of geophagy in this species, indicate that it is not a mineral supplement during times of scarcity or high consumption of leaves, as has been reported for other primates, nor that it is related to fruit consumption (redressing possible mineral imbalance), as has been suggested for some other frugivorous mammals. Our results do not rule out tannin adsorptive hypothesis for the ingestion of clays, but, being an irregular habit, we argue that it is most likely related to rare and occasional dietary components.

Scent-marking behaviour of golden-faced saki monkey, Pithecia pithecia chrysocephala, was observed intermittently between 1987 and 1990 for a family group in a Central Amazonian forest fragment. Of 95 scent-marking events (during 275.5 hours of observation), throat-and-chest rubbing accounted for all except one anogenital rubbing. Nine of the throat-and-chest markings also involved touching groin with hands and eight markings (including the anogenital), urinating on the marked branch. Marking behaviour is strongly sex related, with the adult male making 88.4% of the markings. Scent-marking frequency by the adult male increased during breeding periods. Scent-marking behaviour seems related to courtship, and possibly stimulates sexual behaviour. All regularly marked spots consisted of horizontal branches on commonly travelled routes. Eleven occurred in feeding trees and lianas, but none in sleeping trees. Scent-marking behaviour in the monkeys studied here was not related to intergroup encounters and probably did not have a territorial function, although it may do so where different groups interact.

Loud calls can be heard over long distances due to their high amplitude and low frequency. These calls are commonly used for both within- and between-group communication in many bird and primate species. In the Neotropics, mated pairs of socially monogamous titi monkeys (genus Callicebus) emit conspicuous, coordinated loud calls. These vocalizations appear to play a role in territorial defense, a hypothesis derived from studies of only three of the 31 recognized Callicebus species. Here, we describe the acoustic properties and organization of the loud calls of black-fronted titi monkeys (Callicebus nigrifrons). We compare the behavioral and ecological contexts associated with these vocalizations to investigate their role in within- and between-group communication, resource defense, and mate defense. Black-fronted titi monkeys create loud calls by combining a finite number of syllables to form more complex phrases, which are assembled to compose long sequences of loud calls. Bioacoustic features distinguish the loud calls used in different contexts, involving communication within- and between-groups. We found support for the hypothesis that vocalizations used for between-group communication are cooperative displays used by the mated pair and other group members to regulate access to important food resources, such as fruits. On the other hand, we only found weak support for the mate defense hypothesis.

Introduction Possessing a suite of unusual and interesting features, Pitheciids are at the extremes of many of primatology’s ecological and sociological continua (see Norconk 2011). Pitheciids should provide acute tests of many primatological models; however, this is frequently thwarted by the lack of even the most basic quantitative information concerning ecology, behavior and social organization. Such gaps are due not only to the small number of studies, but also to difficulties in obtaining data. This chapter considers why, given that these primates possess such aesthetic and intellectual appeal and high conservation value, they have been so little studied. The peculiarities of pitheciids, combined with their native habitats’ inherent challenges, have often undermined potentially successful fieldwork. Some researchers who began working with species of Callicebus or Chiropotes, for example, simply gave up because of problems habituating the animals or because the study was so difficult that the quality and quantity of gained data would not be worth the effort. Several researchers who persisted were either unable to obtain the expected volume of data or were incapable of answering many of their initial research questions, sometimes both. Using field experiences from a variety of research projects across a range of habitat types and pitheciid taxa, this chapter reports on the problems that arose during these studies and presents suggestions to minimize similar difficulties in the future.

The Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project (BDFFP), located approximately 80 km north of Manaus, Brazil, is the longest-running study of forest fragmentation in the world. The BDFFP was created in 1979 and the first primate census occurred in 1980. Six primate species inhabit the study area: red howler (Alouatta macconnelli), black spider (Ateles paniscus), brown capuchin (Sapajus apella), northern bearded saki (Chiropotes satanas chiropotes), golden-faced saki (Pithecia chrysocephala), and golden-handed tamarin (Saguinus midas). The distribution of these six species throughout the forest fragments has varied during the past three decades with some species (i.e., howler monkeys) being more prevalent than others (i.e., spider monkeys), particularly in the smaller fragments. Researchers did not find primates in some of the 1-ha forest fragments prior to 2007. Here we present a history of primate research at the BDFFP, including findings from three decades of primate censuses and behavioral and ecological studies of several species in the forest fragments, the surrounding matrix, and the continuous forest. These primate studies have provided information on seed dispersal in forest fragments, parasite infections, use of the matrix, and changes in group size, activity budget, and diet of groups in the forest fragments. Many of the once-cleared pastures surrounded by continuous primary forest are now dominated by various stages of secondary growth. Unfortunately, deforestation continues in many areas of the continuous forest north of Manaus. We discuss the implications of these land-cover changes on the primate community and suggest avenues for future primate research at the BDFFP.

Accurate measures of animal population densities are essential to assess their status, demography, and answer ecological questions. Among several methods proposed to collect abundance data, line transect sampling is used the most. The assumptions required to obtain accurate density estimates through this method, however, are rarely met when studying primates. As most primate species are vocally active, density estimates can be improved by associating transect sampling with playback point counts to scan the entire study area. Yet, attention to playback procedure and data collection design is necessary. Here, we describe a protocol to assess primate densities using playback and test its application on surveys of Callicebus nigrifrons, a small Neotropical primate that shows site fidelity and active vocal behavior. We list important steps and discuss precautions that should be considered, from the adjustments in the recordings in the lab to field procedures in the playback broadcasting sessions. Prior to the surveys, we conducted playback trials with three habituated wild groups at three forest remnants to test their response to the playback stimuli at different distances. Based on these trials, we defined the radius distance covered by the playback sessions. Then, we conducted two surveys in 12 forest remnants, in the northeast of São Paulo State Brazil. The results of density estimates were consistent between the two surveys. As the playback survey protocol we described has proved to be a simple and useful tool for surveying vocal primate and generated reliable data, we suggest that it is a good alternative method to estimate density of species, particularly for those that are responsive to playbacks and show site fidelity.

Neotropical monkeys of the genera Cacajao, Chiropotes, and Pithecia (Pitheciidae) are considered to be highly arboreal, spending most of their time feeding and traveling in the upper canopy. Until now, the use of terrestrial substrates has not been analyzed in detail in this group. Here, we review the frequency of terrestrial use among pitheciin taxa to determine the ecological and social conditions that might lead to such behavior. We collated published and unpublished data from 14 taxa in the three genera. Data were gleaned from 53 published studies (including five on multiple pitheciin genera) and personal communications of unpublished data distributed across 31 localities. Terrestrial activity was reported in 61% of Pithecia field studies (11 of 18), in 34% of Chiropotes studies (10 of 29), and 36% of Cacajao studies (4 of 11). Within Pithecia, terrestrial behavior was more frequently reported in smaller species (e.g. P. pithecia) that are vertical clingers and leapers and make extensive use of the understory than in in the larger bodied canopy dwellers of the western Amazon (e.g. P. irrorata). Terrestrial behavior in Pithecia also occurred more frequently and lasted longer than in Cacajao or Chiropotes. An apparent association was found between flooded habitats and terrestrial activity and there is evidence of the development of a "local pattern" of terrestrial use in some populations. Seasonal fruit availability also may stimulate terrestrial behavior. Individuals also descended to the ground when visiting mineral licks, escaping predators, and responding to accidents such as a dropped infant. Overall, the results of this review emphasize that terrestrial use is rare among the pitheciins in general and is usually associated with the exploitation of specific resources or habitat types.

Most aspects of the ecology and behavior of Callicebus nigrifrons are still unknown. The information available about this species is mainly based on a few studies that also focused on other Callicebus. We examined the feeding behavior and activity pattern of a free-ranging pair of C. nigrifrons between March and November 2007 in an area of semideciduous tropical forest of southeastern Brazil. The study site is located at the southern limit of the Tropical Zone and is characterized by pronounced seasonality. As observed for other Callicebus monkeys, fruits were the most consumed food resource, accounting for 53% of the diet, which was complemented mainly by leaves (16%) but also by invertebrates and flowers (10% of each). A great variety of plant families (28) and species (62) were included in the diet. The titis spent 35% of their time feeding, distributing the remaining time between resting (30%) and traveling (24%). Data presented here indicate that C. nigrifrons prefer high-quality food items (fruit pulp), adding low-quality food items (such as leaves) as the availability of the higher-quality foods decreases. The amount of time spent traveling and resting did not change between seasons, but the time invested in feeding increased during the lean period. The activity pattern was not related to fruit availability, but in months with lower temperatures, monkeys spent more time feeding. We suggest that the feeding ecology and activity pattern of C. nigrifrons reflect adaptations related to annual fluctuations in food availability and temperature, respectively.

Urban forests are usually isolated and highly disturbed, however they are important shelters for tolerant animal species. Their food habits expose the different ecological roles these animals perform in the habitat. We analyzed the contribution of Didelphis albiventris Lund (1840), as a seed disperser, to the vegetation renewal of an urban forest fragment, describing its frugivorous diet and testing the viability of ingested seeds. Both male and female of white-eared opossum included a vast variety of items in their diet, mainly invertebrates and fruits. Fruits were consumed during all year round and seasonality was not observed. The majority of consumed fruits was from pioneer plant species, which is common in disturbed areas, in accordance to the opossum's opportunistic habits. The viability of ingested seeds, evaluated by linear logistic regression models applied to data from germination tests, was different of the seeds collected directly from ripe fruits; it varied among species, maybe due to the intrinsic characteristics of plant species. As a highly generalist species, D. albiventris can inhabit disturbed environments and then disperse seeds from pioneer plants, where the vegetation must be restored. It is crucial that this process does not depend only on the specialist frugivores, which are frequently absent in urban forest fragments. Therefore, the presence of generalist species of secondary environments has its importance emphasized. Florestas urbanas são geralmente isoladas e altamente degradadas; contudo são importantes abrigos para espécies de animais tolerantes. Os hábitos alimentares destes animais explicitam os diferentes papéis ecológicos que eles desempenham no hábitat. Nós analisamos a contribuição de Didelphis albiventris Lund (1840) como dispersor de sementes para a regeneração da vegetação de um fragmento florestal urbano. Para isso, descrevemos sua dieta frugívora e testamos a viabilidade das sementes por ele ingeridas. Tanto machos quanto fêmeas de gambá-de-orelha-branca incluiram uma grande variedade de itens alimentares na dieta, principalmente invertebrados e frutos. Frutos foram consumidos durante todo o ano e a sazonalidade não foi observada. A maioria das sementes defecadas era proveniente de plantas pioneiras, comuns em ambientes perturbados, o que concorda com seu hábito oportunista. A viabilidade das sementes ingeridas, verificada mediante modelos de regressão logística linear aplicada a dados de testes de germinação, foi diferente das sementes obtidas de frutos maduros e variou entre espécies, talvez devido a características intrínsecas da planta. Enquanto uma espécie generalista, D. albiventris é capaz de habitar ambientes perturbados, e dispersar as sementes de plantas de estágio inicial de sucessão, onde a vegetação necessita ser restaurada. É essencial que este processo não dependa exclusivamente de frugívoros especialistas, que na maioria das vezes estão ausentes nos fragmentos florestais urbanos. Consequentemente, a presença de espécies generalistas de ambientes secundários tem sua importância enfatizada.

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T18:54:51Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S0101-81752008000100006.pdf: 990232 bytes, checksum: cf3a7dd87253e09ca440885d1448b9d2 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T18:54:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S0101-81752008000100006.pdf: 990232 bytes, checksum: cf3a7dd87253e09ca440885d1448b9d2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-03-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T19:46:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0101-81752008000100006.pdf: 990232 bytes, checksum: cf3a7dd87253e09ca440885d1448b9d2 (MD5) S0101-81752008000100006.pdf.txt: 35733 bytes, checksum: 4cee74702e87d0429b040f12bdf41194 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-03-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T13:59:39Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S0101-81752008000100006.pdf: 990232 bytes, checksum: cf3a7dd87253e09ca440885d1448b9d2 (MD5) S0101-81752008000100006.pdf.txt: 35733 bytes, checksum: 4cee74702e87d0429b040f12bdf41194 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:59:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0101-81752008000100006.pdf: 990232 bytes, checksum: cf3a7dd87253e09ca440885d1448b9d2 (MD5) S0101-81752008000100006.pdf.txt: 35733 bytes, checksum: 4cee74702e87d0429b040f12bdf41194 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-03-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Macacos-prego ocupam uma vasta gama de ambientes onde alimentam-se de frutos, artrópodes e vertebrados. Suas grandes áreas de vida (80-900 ha) sugerem que viver em fragmentos florestais pode ser um desafio a sua adaptabilidade. Foram identificados e quantificados os principais itens alimentares de Cebus libidinosus Spix, 1823 em fragmentos florestais (100 ha) no sudeste do Brasil. Registraram-se as atividades alimentares de dois grupos usando a varredura instantânea durante um período de 13 meses. A dieta compôs-se de frutos, presas animais, cultivares, sementes, material vegetal e indeterminado. Os frutos foram consumidos mais na estação chuvosa do que na estação seca e o consumo de milho e cana atingiu um pico no início da estação seca. A proporção de frutos na dieta foi positivamente correlacionada com a intensidade de frutificação das árvores zoocóricas. A dieta vegetal incluiu 54 espécies, com milho, Rhamnidium elaeocarpus, Acrocomia aculeata, Guazuma ulmifolia e Cariniana, sendo os mais importantes. Embora a composição da dieta e a diversidade tenham sido similares a grupos de macacos-prego em grandes fragmentos florestais, o uso de cultivares atingiu altas porcentagens em épocas quando a produção de frutos zoocóricos foi baixa nos fragmentos. Capuchin monkeys occupy a wide range of habitats where they feed on fruits, arthropods, and vertebrates. Their large home ranges (80-900 ha) suggest that living in forest fragments may challenge their adaptability. We identified and quantified the main food items of Cebus libidinosus Spix, 1823 in forests fragments (100 ha) in southeastern Brazil. We recorded the feeding activities of two groups using scan sampling over a 13-month period. The diet was composed of fruits, crops, animal prey, seeds, plant matter and undetermined. Fruit was eaten more in the wet season than in the dry season, and maize and sugar cane consumption peaked in the early dry season. The proportion of fruit in the diet was positively correlated with fruiting intensity of zoochorous trees. The plant diet included 54 species, with maize, Rhamnidium elaeocarpus, Acrocomia aculeata, Guazuma ulmifolia and Cariniana, being most important. Although dietary composition and diversity were similar to capuchins in larger forest fragments, feeding on crops attained higher percentages at times when zoochorous fruit production was low in fragments. Universidade Estadual Paulista Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Zoologia Universidade Estadual de Campinas Instituto de Biologia Departamento de Zoologia Universidade de Franca Departamento de Biologia Universidade Estadual Paulista Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Zoologia

Snakes are a highly successful group of vertebrates, within great diversity in habitat, diet, and morphology. The unique adaptations for the snake skull for ingesting large prey in more primitive macrostomatan snakes have been well documented. However, subsequent diversification in snake cranial shape in relation to dietary specializations has rarely been studied (e.g. piscivory in natricine snakes). Here we examine a large clade of snakes with a broad spectrum of diet preferences to test if diet preferences are correlated to shape variation in snake skulls. Specifically, we studied the Xenodontinae snakes, a speciose clade of South American snakes, which show a broad range of diets including invertebrates, amphibians, snakes, lizards, and small mammals. We characterized the skull morphology of 19 species of xenodontine snakes using geometric morphometric techniques, and used phylogenetic comparative methods to test the association between diet and skull morphology. Using phylogenetic partial least squares analysis (PPLS) we show that skull morphology is highly associated with diet preferences in xenodontine snakes.