Lucas M. Aguiar

Sympatry between Alouatta caraya and Alouatta clamitans and the rediscovery of free-ranging potential hybrids in Southern Brazil

Records of sympatry between Alouatta caraya and A. clamitans are rare despite their extensive range overlap. An example of their current sympatry and the rediscovery of free-ranging potential hybrids of A. caraya and A. clamitans in the forests of the Upper Paraná River, Southern Brazil, are reported in this paper. Eight groups were observed in the study area: five monospecific groups of A. caraya, two of A. clamitans, and a group containing two adult males and two adult females of A. caraya and a sub-adult male and two adult females identified as Alouatta sp. The color of the last three individuals was a mosaic between the two species; this is consistent with previously described variations in museum specimens collected in the Paraná River in the 1940s that had been identified as potential hybrids. The results from this study emphasize the need for scientific studies in the region of the Ilha Grande National Park, one of the few regions in the Paraná River that currently harbors both howler species.

Cougar Predation on Black-and-Gold Howlers on Mutum Island, Southern Brazil1

Researchers consider predation rates by terrestrial animals to be lower in the case of arboreal primates, particularly among large-bodied species. We recorded the consumption of black-and-gold howlers (Alouatta caraya) by cougars (Puma concolor) as evidence of predation on an island of the upper Paraná River. We collected and processed fecal samples of the felid in 2004 and 2005. We identified items in the laboratory by comparison with museum specimens. We considered each species in a fecal sample as a single occurrence. Based on analysis of the cuticle scale pattern, we identified the felid as cougar. Howlers occurred in 4 out of the 8 fecal samples (40% of the occurrences). In addition to howlers, we also recorded 5 occurrences of agouti (Dasyprocta azarae; 50%) and a small unidentified sigmodontine rodent (10%). The abundance of howlers and the low forest canopy in a successional vegetation might have facilitated the predation of the large primates by a primarily terrestrial predator. The versatility of cougars is corroborated by the consumption of prey species that were abundant in the region and that were available in different forest strata, such as howlers and agoutis.

Tentativa de infanticídio por um macho dominante de Alouatta caraya (Humboldt) (Primates, Atelidae) em um infante extra-grupo devido a influência do observador

Este trabalho relata um caso de tentativa de infanticidio por um macho residente e dominante de um grupo de Alouatta caraya (Humboldt, 1812) em um infante extra-grupo, em ilha do rio Parana, Parana, Brasil. O encontro do par femea-infante com o macho residente foi propiciado pela interferencia humana. Devido as circunstâncias em que ocorreu o fato e a posicao hierarquica do agressor, a hipotese de patologia social pareceu plausivel na explicacao do comportamento.

Os sete primeiros meses de um infante de Alouatta guariba (Humboldt) (Primates, Atelidae): interações e desenvolvimento dos padrões comportamentais

The development of the interactions of an infant primate with its mother and the other members of its social group plays a special role in the ethology and demography of the species, with consequences for their survive and their conservation. The objective of the present study is to investigate the development of an infant of Alouatta guariba (Humboldt, 1812) in the wild, its behavior and interactions during its first seven months of age, in a remnant of Araucaria Pine Forest in Parana State, Brazil. Using the method of instantaneous scanning with 5 min intervals, a total of 46 hours and 15 minutes of direct observation (555 individual records) showed that the infant behavioral patterns during its first four months were characterized by high dependency, which decreased progressively until the appearance of typically juvenile behaviors during the remaining 3 months. The first records of feeding on solid food, tail functionality and allomaternal care were also recorded and discussed. This work contributes to an understanding of the ontogenetic development of a poorly known aspect of this species, and thus for a more understanding of the genus Alouatta Lacepede, 1799.

Feeding habits of the crab-eating fox, Cerdocyon thous (Carnivora: Canidae), in a mosaic area with native and exotic vegetation in Southern Brazil

Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1766) is the most widespread neotropical canid, most commonly inhabiting forested areas. This animal is a generalist omnivore that is able to use environments disturbed by human activities. The aim of this study was to describe its diet through the stomach content analysis of 30 samples obtained from specimens that were run over in a mosaic composed by Araucaria Pine Forest, Semidecidual Seasonal Forest, natural grasslands, and exotic vegetation. The items were quantified by frequency of occurrence (F.O.) and percentage of occurrence (P.O.). A total of 64 food items were found among 171 occurrences. According to F.O. method, plant items corresponded to 93.3% of the occurrences, followed by animal items (86.7%) and human rejects (16.6%). Among plants, fruits accounted for 92.9% of the occurrences, followed by leaves (53.6%) and flowers (10.7%). Syagrus romanzoffianum (Cham.) Glassman, 1968 and the exotic Hovenia dulcis Thunberg were the most consumed fruits (30% each), and the most consumed leaves were Poaceae. Among preyed animals, the F.O. was 73.3% for invertebrates (mostly Orthoptera and Coleoptera, 36.7% each) and 63.3% for vertebrates (mostly mammals, 33.3%). Regarding the P.O. method, there was an overestimation of invertebrates (98.1%) due to the presence of ants and termites in the stomach of a single individual. In general, C. thous presented its usual diet. Its generalistic feeding habits can positively influence its survival in altered environments. This study also compares different methods for dietary analysis and discusses some opportunistic behaviors of C. thous, such as the consumption of exotic species and the use of silviculture areas as hunting sites.

Occurrence, local extinction and conservation of primates in the corridor of the Upper Paraná River, with notes on other mammals.

The region of Porto Rico, on the Upper Parana River, is a contact zone between the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado, with elements of the Pantanal wetlands. During surveys from September 2003 to September to 2005, we recorded the presence of non-volant mammals on 14 islands and the adjacent riverbanks. Surveys were by foot and by boat, and we also interviewed local people about the mammals of the region. Sightings of three primate species - Cebus nigritus (Goldfuss, 1809) (left margin of the river), C. libidinosus Spix, 1823 (right margin) and Alouatta caraya (Humboldt, 1812) (both margins and 12 islands) - were plotted on a satellite image. Alouatta clamitans Cabrera, 1940 was not recorded. However, interviews indicated that this species has occurred in this region in the past. The survey of mammals revealed the occurrence of 32 native species, a native genus with one or more unidentified species, and two introduced species [Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778 and Sus scrofa (Linnaeus, 1758)]. The study discusses the permeability of the Parana River to dispersal, as well as its potential as a geographical barrier to some species. Hypothesis on the local extinction of A. clamitans is also addressed. This study provides information that can be useful for promoting the conservation of this region.

Valores hematológicos de bugios pretos (Alouatta caraya) de vida livre da região do Alto Rio Paraná, sul do Brasil

The hematologic values and the influence of gender and age were described in 36 free-ranging healthy black-and-gold howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) from the region of Parana river, Southern Brazil. The animals were caught with trap models and intramuscularly anesthetized with 5.5mg/kg tilitamine/zolazepam hydrochlorides. The red blood cells were higher in females (4.48±1,36 vs. 3.58±0.91x106/mm3) while mean corpuscular volume (90.99±27.65 and 118.36±44.63 fL) and eosinophils (0.30±0.24 and 0.76±0.85x103/mm3) were significant higher in males. The packed cell volume (39.46±3.53 and 36.69±3.54%) and plasma total protein (7.91±0.53 and 7.40±0.63g/dL) were lower in juveniles.

Social Structure of Alouatta Guariba Clamitans: A Group with a Dominant Female

Cleveland, J. and Snowdon, C. T. 1984. Social development during the first twenty weeks in the cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus o. oedipus). Anim. Behav. 32: 432–444. Dixson, A. F. 1980. Androgens and aggressive behavior in primates: A review. Aggressive Behav. 6: 37–67. French, J. A. and Schaffner, C. M. 1995. Social and developmental influences on urinary testosterone levels in male black tufted-ear marmosets (Callithrix kuhli). Am. J. Primatol. 36: 123. Ginther, A. J., Carlson, A. A., Ziegler, T. E. and Snowdon, C. T. 2002. Neonatal and pubertal development in males of a cooperatively breeding primate, the cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus oedipus). Biol. Reprod. 66: 282–290. Heymann, E. W. 1995. Sleeping habits of tamarins, Saguinus mystax and Saguinus fuscicollis (Mammalia; Primates; Callitrichidae), in north-eastern Peru. J. Zool., Lond. 237: 211–226. Huck, M., Löttker, P., Böhle, U.-R. and Heymann, E. W. 2005a. Paternity and kinship patterns in polyandrous moustached tamarins (Saguinus mystax). Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 127: 449–464. Huck, M., Löttker, P., Heymann, E. W. and Heistermann, M. 2005b. Characterization and social correlates of fecal testosterone and cortisol excretion in wild Saguinus mystax. Int. J. Primatol. 26: 159–179. Löttker, P., Huck, M. and Heymann, E. W. 2004. Group composition and demographic events in wild moustached tamarins (Saguinus mystax). Am. J. Primatol. 64: 425–249. Martin, P. and Bateson, P. 1993. Measuring Behaviour: An Introductory Guide. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Oversluijs Vásquez, M. R. and Heymann, E. W. 2001. Crested eagle (Morphnus guianensis) predation on infant tamarins (Saguinus mystax and Saguinus fuscicollis, Callitrichinae). Folia Primatol. 72: 301–303. Pereira, M. E. and Leigh, S. R. 2003. Modes of primate development. In: Primate Life Histories and Socioecology, P. M. Kappeler and M. E. Pereira (eds.), pp.149–176. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago. Plant, T. M. 1988. Puberty in primates. In: The Physiology of Reproduction, E. Knobil, J. D. Neill and G. S. Greenwald (eds.), pp.1763–1788. Raven Press, New York. Ross, C. and MacLarnon, A. 2000. The evolution of non-maternal care in anthropoid primates: A test of the hypotheses. Folia Primatol. 71: 93–113. Soini, P. and Soini, M. 1990. Distribución geográfica y ecológia poblacional de Saguinus mystax. In: La Primatología en el Perú: Investigaciones Primatológicas (1973–1985), N. E. Castro-Rodríguez (ed.), pp.272–313. Imprenta Propaceb, Lima. Ventura, R. and Buchanan-Smith, H. M. 2003. Physical environmental effects on infant care and development in captive Callithrix jacchus. Int. J. Primatol. 24: 399–413. Wickings, E. J., Marshall, G. R. and Nieschlag, E. 1986. Endocrine regulation of male reproduction. In: Comparative Primate Biology, W. R. Dukelow and J. Erwin (eds.), pp.149–170. Alan R. Liss, New York. SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF ALOUATTA GUARIBA CLAMITANS: A GROUP WITH A DOMINANT FEMALE

The direct observational method and possibilities for Neotropical Carnivores: an invitation for the rescue of a classical method spread over the Primatology

© 2009 Sociedade Brasileira de Zoologia | www.sbzoologia.org.br | All rights reserved. Primates and carnivores belong to phylogenetically distant mammal orders (MURPHY et al. 2001). Overall, carnivores have developed some very particular and conservative characteristics during the process of evolution, whereas primates have held to a more plesiomorphic bauplan that emphasizes adaptability over adaptation (SIMPSON 1980). Such differences in the history of each group have resulted in remarkable anatomical, ecological, and behavioral differences. The most commonly studied interactions between primates and carnivores are between predator and prey (e.g., TREVES 1999, ZUBERBÜHLER & JENNY 2002). While some interactions are of a competitive nature (e.g., ROSE et al. 2003, TREVES & PALMQVIST 2007), mutual interactions are rare (e.g., SCHLEIDT & SHALTER 2003, HAUGAASEN & PERES 2008). In hunting interactions, primates are usually the prey, though in some cases both humans (e.g., JORGENSON & REDFORD 1993) and non-human primates (e.g., ROSE et al. 2003) predate upon carnivores. Hunting by and competition from carnivores have significantly contributed to molding some characteristics of primate biology, including our hominid ancestors (TREVES 1999, TREVES & PALMQVIST 2007). Currently, the conflict between modern humans and carnivores that attack domestic animals results in strong pressure on predator populations (see TREVES & KARANTH 2003, SHIVIK 2006). Despite the conflict of interests inherent to their interactions, and also because of the differences in their evolutionary biology, both groups present several similarities from a scientific point of view. Previous studies have compared primates and carnivores, especially with regards to some aspects of their socioecology (e.g., WRANGHAM et al. 1993, KAYS & GITTLEMAN 2001, SMITH et al. 2008). Some investigators have treated infanticidal behavior (e.g., PARMIGIANI & VOM SAAL 1994), hunting behavior (e.g., BOESCH & BOESCH 1989), and even the convergent morphology between the two groups (e.g., PLAVCAN & RUFF 2008). In a high proportion of such investigations, especially on behavior, studies with primates are used as a model and basis for comparison. The conceptual and theoretical background to understand this line of research in the carnivores stems from such work. However, irrespective of the taxonomic group, studies of behavior and especially socioecology strongly depend upon direct observation of the animals in the wild. In this case, common objectives require methods in common. For primates, the direct-observation study method, which has been used for a broad range of organisms since the natural world began to be scientifically studied, is widespread. For carnivores, direct observation has been more often employed in the Palaeotropic and Nearctic regions, and studies using direct observation in the Neotropical region are very rare, in spite of the existing possibilities. Indeed, it is exactly in this region that the behavior, socioecology, and certain other aspects of the biology of carnivores are poorly understood. The aim of the present study is therefore to address this gap in the Neotropics. The advantage of primates and the problem of carnivores in the Neotropics It has been possible to study the ecology and behavior of primates by following and observing them directly in several locations in South and Central America, because they are conspicuous, and also because of their daily habits and the relative ease with which they become habituated to the observer (the same is true for the Old World primates). Consequently, many scientific questions about this order could be answered. The Neotropical primates constitute a valuable heritage of biodiversity, especially in conservation and biomedical investigations (COIMBRA-FILHO 2004). They are good objects of study to understand forest environments, and are essential components of conservation strategies (RYLANDS et al. 1997, SECHREST et al. 2002). Many Neotropical primates were the main elements in many successful and internationally recognized conservation programs. In Brazil, the history of conservation is thoroughly intertwined with the history of primatology (COIMBRAFILHO 2004, MITTERMEIER et al. 2005). The predominant forest physiognomy in the Neotropical Region and the nocturnal and cathemeral habits of many animals, including many carnivores, pose difficulties to animal direct observation in the wild for long periods of time. Compared with the primates, the Neotropical carnivores are neither well studied nor understood (see CRAWSHAW 2006, OLIVEIRA 2006). Despite the possibilities for data collection through direct observation, some of their habits (feeding, use of space, and activity patterns) and population numbers have been mostly investigated using indirect methods, such as feces analysis, footprint identification, radio telemetry, and photographic trigger systems (camera traps). The lack of behavioral and socio-ecological studies, which are only possible through direct observation, creates an obstacle to a full understanding of the biology of these animals. This gap creates problems when trying to devise conservation actions in situ or ex situ, especially for sensitive animals at the top of the food chain (for the importance of behavioral studies in conservation biology, see KNIGHT 2001, ANGELONI et al. 2008). Much basic but essential information about the great majority of Neotropical carnivores still needs to be obtained, OPINION

Howler and Capuchin Monkey Densities in Riparian Forests on Islands and Adjacent Shores on the Upper Paraná River, Southern Brazil

Abstract Three primates (Alouatta caraya, Sapajus nigritus and Sapajus cay) are found in riparian areas of the Upper Paraná River in southern Brazil. Population densities of these three species were estimated from October 2004 through September 2005 by counts on linear transects in riparian forests on two riverine islands and adjacent shores in the states of Mato Grosso do Sul and Paraná. A total of 397 sightings of these species were accumulated in 188 km of traversed transects. Alouatta caraya was the most abundant species on the large island (2.56 ind ha-1) and on the Mato Grosso do Sul side (0.84 ind ha-1). This density was greater than twice that of the sympatric S. cay (0.31 ind ha-1). Sapajus nigritus was the most abundant species on the Paraná side (0.51 ind ha-1) followed by A. caraya (0.40 ind ha-1). The folivorous A. caraya was the most abundant in flooded forests, while the omnivorous Sapajus species were less so. Differences in forests, conservation status, dispersal restrictions and autecology of the primates help explain differences in primate abundance.