Feeding Ecology of Black-fronted titi monkeys (Callicebus nigrifrons) groups in a Semidecidual Seasonal Forest (Jundiaí, SP, Brazil)

• Grant number: 21/11416-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2022
• End date: May 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Eleonore Zulnara Freire Setz
• Grantee: João Victor de Amorim Verçosa
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

According to the Optimal Foraging Theory, animals tend to optimize energy by choosing items of higher quality and lower cost, although they can expand their diet, especially during lean season when resources are scarce. Seasonality strongly influences the diet of frugivorous primates, such as the titi monkey (Callicebus genus). The Serra do Japi is a seasonal semideciduous forest with dry and rainy periods, which influences the phenology of the vegetation and, consequently, the fruits available for the titi monkeys. The aim of the project is to understand the food ecology of titi monkeys in Serra do Japi through characterization of diet, resource selection and optimal foraging. For this, we will follow three habituated neighbouring groups of titi monkeys for 12 months in the Serra do Japi. Every 10 minutes we will use scan sampling to obtain the time budget at activities and diet. Also, we will characterize the main eating patches used, the time spent on them and the displacement between them. For evaluation of food selection, 18-plot trees (20x6m) within and between home ranges of the titis will be monitored monthly in their phenology to assess the temporal and spatial availability of resources. In parallel we will carry out the scientific divulgation. While the temporal evaluation of resources permeates the investigations of the food ecology of the titis, the simultaneous comparison between the three groups allows to assess the spatial contribution, comparisons with future studies and in fragmented areas with Callicebus nigrifrons and other frugivorous species.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

VERÇOSA, João Victor de Amorim. Feeding ecology of groups of titi monkeys (Callicebus nigrifrons) in a semideciduous forest. 2023. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia Campinas, SP.