Distribution pattern of tree species consumed by Cebus nigritus (Cebidae, Primates) in Atlantic Forest, Carlos Botelho State Park, State of São Paulo, Brazil

• Grant number: 10/10894-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2010
• End date: November 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Physical Geography
• Principal Investigator: Yuri Tavares Rocha
• Grantee: Yuri Tavares Rocha
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Eliza Sevghenian

Abstract

The vegetation is considered a good indicator of the environmental conditions and also the conservation of ecosystems responsible for the conservation of animal's species. The vegetation distribution is related to plant temporal and spatial variation in productivity of fruits, which in many primates face problems of foraging associated with seasonal change in availability of fruits. Studies with species of capuchins monkeys (Cebus nigritus) in Carlos Botelho State Park (PECB), animals seem to determine their pattern of daily movement in accordance with distribution of food, and avoid areas where the topography may be a limiting factor their displacement. The aim of this study is to analyze the distribution of species used as food source by the animals using the method of rectangular plots of fixed area, distributed in an area of 459 ha of broadleaf Rainforest Domain, located in PECB, Serra do Paranapiacaba among the municipalities of San Miguel Arcanjo, Sete Barras,Tapiraí,Capao Bonito, State of Sao Paulo. Data seasonal tree will be collected and related to the browsing behavior of the group in areas with different geographical features. Thus, our hypotheses consider that if food is present throughout the home range, the group only should avoid steep slopes to reach it is the slopes are limited factors to visit the sources. If this is the case of capuchin monkeys at PECB areas with higher slope may have sources of food, but will not be navigated by the group, acting as a limiting displacement of capuchin monkeys in PECB. (AU)