Understanding primate coexistence in a key climate refuge: integrating traditional approaches and emerging technologies

• Grant number: 25/06533-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: November 01, 2025
• End date: October 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Laurence Marianne Vincianne Culot
• Grantee: Olivier Jean François Colin Kaisin
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/06668-0 - Primate resilience in an anthropogenic landscape, AP.BTA.JP2

Abstract

A fundamental aspect of ecological research is understanding how species coexist and interact within ecosystems. Hosting two-thirds of Earth's terrestrial biodiversity, tropical forests provide an ideal setting to study community ecology. Primates play a vital role in maintaining the structure, balance, and resilience of these habitats, where they fulfil essential ecosystem services and serve as valuable ecological models. Unfortunately, the widespread destruction of tropical forests has caused a global decline in primate populations. Furthermore, as global temperatures continue to rise, primates will face extreme warming events, leading to shifts in phenology, habitat suitability, and community composition. This postdoctoral research investigates ecological niche partitioning among four sympatric primates in the Carlos Botelho State Park, São Paulo, Brazil-a critical climate refuge offering habitat stability amidst environmental changes. The park harbours a unique primate community, including southern muriquis (Brachyteles arachnoides), southern black capuchins (Sapajus cucullatus), brown howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba), and a recently discovered population of black lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysopygus). To explore the coexistence of these threatened species, this project combines traditional methods and emerging technologies. First, we will explore microhabitat use and spatial niche partitioning through direct in-situ ranging data and passive acoustic monitoring. Second, we will use behavioural data and arboreal camera trapping to understand dietary niche overlap and sleeping site preferences, shedding light on resource partitioning between these primates. By combining bioacoustics and arboreal camera trapping we also aim to develop innovative, efficient, and scalable methods to monitor wild primate communities in the tropics. This research will advance our understanding of primate ecology and inform conservation strategies for these endangered species.