DOCSLIB.ORG

Primates: Atelidae): Overlap and Home Range Size Therya, Vol

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Therya E-ISSN: 2007-3364 [email protected] Asociación Mexicana de Mastozoología México Quintana-Morales, Paulo César; Morales-Mávil, Jorge E.; Escobar-Aliaga, Mateo; Bravo- Xicotencatl, Rocío Use of space in two neighboring groups of the howler monkey Alouatta palliata mexicana (Primates: Atelidae): overlap and home range size Therya, vol. 8, núm. 2, 2017, pp. 1-7 Asociación Mexicana de Mastozoología Baja California Sur, México Available in: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=402350522001 How to cite Complete issue Scientific Information System More information about this article Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal Journal's homepage in redalyc.org Non-profit academic project, developed under the open access initiative Therya Advance Access published March 13, 2017 THERYA, 2017, Vol. 8 (2): XXX-XXX DOI: 10.12933/therya-17-462 ISSN 2007-3364 Use of space in two neighboring groups of the howler monkey Alouatta palliata mexicana (Primates: Atelidae): overlap and home range size PAULO CÉSAR QUINTANA-MORALES1*, JORGE E. MORALES-MÁVIL1, MATEO ESCOBAR-ALIAGA1, AND ROCÍO BRAVO-XICOTENCATL1 1 Laboratorio de Biología de la Conducta, Instituto de Neuroetología, Universidad Veracruzana, Av. Luis Castelazo Ayala s/n, Colonia Industrial Ánimas, CP. 91190, Xalapa. Veracruz, México. Email: [email protected] (PCQM), [email protected] (JEMV), [email protected] (MEA), [email protected] (RBX). * Corresponding author The interaction between primate groups and the dynamics involved in the use of space are important factors affecting both competition for resources and intergroup dominance. In the present study we analyzed the differences in home range overlap and intergroup size, as well as the diversity of tree species within the home range, the Value Index for the key tree species, and the daily activity pattern of two neighboring groups of the howler monkey Alouatta palliata. From March 2002 to June 2003, the behavior and location of two groups of monkeys (G1, two adult males, four adult females and four infants; G2, six adult males, five adult females, one juvenile and three infants) were recorded in the same forest patch at Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve, Veracruz, Mexico. Using the Minimum Convex Polygon (100 %), grid (100 m), and Kernel (adapted and fixed) methods, as well as transect sampling, significant differences (F1, 20 = 14.45, P = 0.001) were found in the home range size of the groups, being greater in G2. The habitat in the G2 home range had greater richness and diversity of tree species, as well as a higher Impor- tance Value Index for the key tree species (Ficus spp.) included in the howler monkey diet. On the other hand, significant differences between groups (Mann-Whitney U = 38, P < 0.05) were found only as regards locomotion behavior, likely due to a behavioral adaptation to optimize food resource use or search. The two groups displayed a similar use of food resources; however, there was a slight overlap in the home range between both groups with no direct aggression, likely because their habitat included sufficient space and food. Our data suggest that the reduced overlap may vary between neighboring groups because of factors such as group size. However, groups could weigh various factors to avoid home-range overlap. La interacción entre grupos vecinos de primates y la dinámica en el uso del espacio son factores importantes durante la competencia por los recursos y la dominancia intergrupal. En este trabajo analizamos las diferencias intergrupales con relación al tamaño y traslape del ámbito hogareño así como la diversidad de especies arbóreas, el Índice de Valor de Importancia de especies clave y el patrón diario de actividad de dos grupos vecinos de monos aulladores Alouatta palliata mexicana. De marzo 2002 a junio 2003 registramos la conducta y las ubicaciones de dos grupos de monos (formados, G1 por 2 machos adultos, 4 hembras adultas y 4 infantes, y G2 por 6 machos adultos, 5 hembras adultas, 1 joven y 3 infantes) en un mismo fragmento en la Reserva de la Biósfera Los Tuxtlas, Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, México. Aplicando los métodos de Polígono Mínimo Convexo (100 %), Rejillas (100 m), y Kernel (adaptado y fijo) así como un muestreo por transectos se encontraron diferencias significativas (F1, 20 = 14.45, P = 0.001) en el ámbito hogareño de los grupos, siendo mayor el de G2. El hábitat en el ámbito hogareño del G2 tuvo una mayor riqueza y diversidad de especies arbóreas así como un valor más elevado en el Índice de Valor de Importancia de especies clave (Ficus spp.) en la dieta de los monos aulladores. Por otra parte, se encontraron diferencias significativas (Mann-Whitney U = 38, P < 0.05) sólo en la conducta de locomoción, posiblemente debido a un ajuste conductual para optimizar el aprovechamiento o la búsqueda de recursos alimentarios. Los recursos alimentarios utilizados por los dos grupos fueron similares; sin embargo, se registró un reducido traslape del ámbito hogareño entre los grupos y ningún tipo de agresión directa, lo cual puede deberse a que encuentran suficiente espacio y alimento en el há- bitat. Nuestros datos sugieren que el reducido traslape puede variar entre grupos vecinos a causa de factores como el tamaño del grupo. Sin embargo, es posible que los grupos decidan ponderar diversos factores a fin de evitar los traslapes de ámbito hogareño. Key words: competition; howler monkey; intergroup distance; overlapping home range; spatial interactions. © 2017 Asociación Mexicana de Mastozoología, www.mastozoologiamexicana.org Introduction Unlike a territory, where individuals must invest time The use of space is a key component of the ecological niche and energy to protect it (Kodric-Brown 1978; Amsler and for all animal species (Lopez-Darias et al. 2012). One of the Brown 2010), the HR can be shared either partially or essential parameters to quantify the use of space is the totally. In this sense, it is argued that the level of HR over- home range (Börger et al. 2008). The size and the internal lap in various primate species depends on both the condi- dynamics of the home range (HR) are influenced by the tions of the habitat and the physical characteristics of the environmental, biological, and social factors of each spe- species (Pearce et al. 2013). In the Neotropics, the howler cies. In the case of primates, key factors as group biomass monkey (Alouatta spp.) is considered a non-territorial spe- (Campos et al. 2014), group size (Shaffer 2014), habitat qual- cies (Milton 1980; Hopkins 2013) because the home range ity (Campera et al. 2014), vegetation type (Pebsworth et al. frequently overlaps. Hopkins (2013) has pointed out that 2012), seasonality (Pyritz et al. 2011), and population den- the separation between groups of howler monkeys seem sity (Glessner and Britt 2005). to be influenced by the hierarchical status of neighboring Therya Advance Access published March 13, 2017 groups. However, he makes no reference to the influence climate is warm and humid, with a dry season from March of habitat quality, access to resources and their availability. to May and a rainy season from June to February. Rainfall The objective of this work was to determine the size ranges from 3,500 to 4,000 mm per year (60 mm in the dri- of the home range and the extent of the spatial interac- est month), and the mean annual temperature is above tion between two groups of howler monkeys, based on 22 ºC (Soto 2004). Whithin this patch, Cristobal-Azkarate the overlap of their respective HR. We explored whether and Arroyo-Rodríguez (2007) estimated the presence of the tree species richness and diversity, and the size of the seven groups of Alouatta palliata mexicana; for this work, groups of monkeys, are associated with the use of space by two neighboring and potentially interacting groups were two neighboring groups of howler monkeys that inhabit selected, to obtain behavioral records. At the start of the a fragmented landscape in Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve, study, the groups selected were the following: group 1 Veracruz, Mexico. (G1), 10 individuals (2 adult males, four adult females and four infants); group 2 (G2), 15 individuals (six adult males, Materials and Methods five adult females, a young and three infants). The num- ber of adults did not vary throughout the recording period; Study area and subjects. The study area is located in the however, new infants were born, so that at the end of the region of Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico. This area is frag- recording period, G1 and G2 had four and three infants, mented and disturbed, with patches of primary vegetation respectively. The sex and age of individuals was deter- within a matrix of agricultural and livestock areas (Mendoza mined based on the classifications of Clarke (1990) and et al. 2005; Solórzano-García et al. 2012). The patch inhab- Domingo-Balcells and Veà-Varo (2009). ited by monkeys is an irregular-shaped polygon encom- passing 100 ha approximately, with connections that Location of groups and behavioral records. The location enable the displacement of groups to other forested areas of each group was recorded between March 2002 and June of similar size. It is located near the community of Montepio 2003 using a portable Global Positioning System (Garmin (18.63306° to 18.64778° N and -95.09556 to -95.07861°° W; model V plus). Groups were recorded through sightings in Figure 1), within Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve, Veracruz, the morning (07:00 to 13:00 h) and evening (13:00 to 18:00 Mexico. The vegetation is evergreen forest with various h) which were alternated during 55 and 67 days (G1 and G2, degrees of disturbance. The canopy species include Lon- respectively). The difference in the recording days between chocarpus cruentus, Dussia mexicana, Nectandra ambigens, the two groups was due to the fact that G1 stabilized its Brosimum alicastrum, Ficus yoponensis, Ficus tecolutensis, HR in February 2003, while G2 did it in March; hence, the Pouteria sapota, Spondias radlkoferi and Bursera simaruba, latter required a greater number of days of follow-up and among others (Castillo-Campos and Laborde 2004).
Recommended publications
  • PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS AMONG BRAZILIAN HOWLER MONKEYS, GENUS Alouatta (PLATYRRHINI, ATELIDAE), BASED on Γ1-GLOBIN PSEUDOGENE SEQUENCES

    PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS AMONG BRAZILIAN HOWLER MONKEYS, GENUS Alouatta (PLATYRRHINI, ATELIDAE), BASED on Γ1-GLOBIN PSEUDOGENE SEQUENCES

    Genetics and Molecular Biology, 22, 3, 337-344 Phylogenetic(1999) relationships of Brazilian howler monkeys 337 PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS AMONG BRAZILIAN HOWLER MONKEYS, GENUS Alouatta (PLATYRRHINI, ATELIDAE), BASED ON γ1-GLOBIN PSEUDOGENE SEQUENCES Carla Maria Meireles1, John Czelusniak1, Stephen F. Ferrari2, Maria Paula Cruz Schneider2 and Morris Goodman1 ABSTRACT The genus Alouatta (howler monkeys) is the most widely distributed of New World primates, and has been arranged in three species groups: the Central American Alouatta palliata group and the South American Alouatta seniculus and Alouatta caraya groups. While the latter is monotypic, the A. seniculus group encompasses at least three species (A. seniculus, A. belzebul and A. fusca). In the present study, approximately 600 base pairs of the γ1-globin pseudogene were sequenced in the four Brazilian species (A. seniculus, A. belzebul, A. fusca and A. caraya). Maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood methods yielded phylogenetic trees with the same arrangement: {A. caraya [A. seniculus (A. fusca, A. belzebul)]}. The most parsimoni- ous tree had bootstrap values greater than 82% for all groupings, and strength of grouping values of at least 2, supporting the sister clade of A. fusca and A. belzebul. The study also confirmed the presence of a 150-base pair Alu insertion element and a 1.8-kb deletion in the γ1-globin pseudogene in A. fusca, features found previously in the remaining three species. The cladistic classification based on molecular data agrees with those of morphological studies, with the monospecific A. caraya group being clearly differentiated from the A. seniculus group. INTRODUCTION southern Mexico to northern Argentina, and is found in tropical and subtropical forest ecosystems throughout Bra- The systematics of the New World monkeys (infra- zil (Hirsch et al., 1991).
  • Conservation of the Caatinga Howler Monkey, Brazil Final Report Brazil

    Conservation of the Caatinga Howler Monkey, Brazil Final Report Brazil

    080209 - Conservation of the Caatinga Howler Monkey, Brazil Final Report Brazil, State of Piauí, August 2009 to June 2011. Institutions: Sertões Consultoria Ambiental e Assessoria Overall Aim: Promote the recovery of the Caatinga Howler Monkey through habitat conservation and community involvement Authors: THIERES PINTO AND IGOR JOVENTINO ROBERTO Bill Cartaxo 135, Sapiranga, Fortaleza, Ceará Zip Code: 60833-185 Brazil Emails: [email protected] [email protected] Date: January 23, 2011. Table of Contents SECTION 1……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… pg. 3 SUMMARY …………………………………………………………………………………………..………………… pg. 3 INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… pg. 3 PROJECT MEMBERS………………………………………………………………………………………………… pg. 4 SECTION 2. ……………………………………………………………………………………………..……………… pg. 4 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES……………………………………………………………………..……………………… pg. 4 METHODOLOGY……………………………………………………………………………………………………… pg. 4 OUTPUTS AND RESULTS…………………………………………………………………………………………… pg. 5 Goal 1 (A): Determine the interactions between the local communities and the Caatinga Howler Monkey and its habitat…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… pg. 5 Goal 1 (B.1): Evaluate the perception of the local communities regarding the importance of environmental resources and the conservation of the Caatinga Howler Monkey. …………...………………………………………………… pg. 6 Goal 1 (C): Identify the anthropic threats to the Caatinga Howler Monkey and its habitat conservation. ……… pg. 8 Goal 2: Increase our knowledge on the species ecological requirements (habitat preferences,
  • Tropical Plant-Animal Interactions: Linking Defaunation with Seed Predation, and Resource- Dependent Co-Occurrence

    Tropical Plant-Animal Interactions: Linking Defaunation with Seed Predation, and Resource- Dependent Co-Occurrence

    University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2021 TROPICAL PLANT-ANIMAL INTERACTIONS: LINKING DEFAUNATION WITH SEED PREDATION, AND RESOURCE- DEPENDENT CO-OCCURRENCE Peter Jeffrey Williams Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Williams, Peter Jeffrey, "TROPICAL PLANT-ANIMAL INTERACTIONS: LINKING DEFAUNATION WITH SEED PREDATION, AND RESOURCE-DEPENDENT CO-OCCURRENCE" (2021). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 11777. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/11777 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. TROPICAL PLANT-ANIMAL INTERACTIONS: LINKING DEFAUNATION WITH SEED PREDATION, AND RESOURCE-DEPENDENT CO-OCCURRENCE By PETER JEFFREY WILLIAMS B.S., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 2014 Dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biology – Ecology and Evolution The University of Montana Missoula, MT May 2021 Approved by: Scott Whittenburg, Graduate School Dean Jedediah F. Brodie, Chair Division of Biological Sciences Wildlife Biology Program John L. Maron Division of Biological Sciences Joshua J. Millspaugh Wildlife Biology Program Kim R. McConkey School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences University of Nottingham Malaysia Williams, Peter, Ph.D., Spring 2021 Biology Tropical plant-animal interactions: linking defaunation with seed predation, and resource- dependent co-occurrence Chairperson: Jedediah F.
  • Responses of a Translocated Howler Monkey Alouatta Palliata Group to New Environmental Conditions

    Responses of a Translocated Howler Monkey Alouatta Palliata Group to New Environmental Conditions

    Vol. 12: 25–30, 2010 ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH Published online June 4 doi: 10.3354/esr00287 Endang Species Res Contribution to the Theme Section ‘Responses of animals to habitat alteration’ OPENPEN ACCESSCCESS Responses of a translocated howler monkey Alouatta palliata group to new environmental conditions Aralisa Shedden-González*, Ernesto Rodríguez-Luna Centro de Investigaciones Tropicales, Universidad Veracruzana, Exhacienda Lucas Martín, Calle Araucarias s/n, Col. Periodistas C.P. 91019 Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico ABSTRACT: Considering the drastic changes in primate habitats, we must search for management strategies to maintain primate populations in the wild. In the present study, a group of howler mon- keys Alouatta palliata was followed after being translocated to a 90 ha tropical forest used for under- story palm Chamaedorea elegans cultivation. The group’s behavior was recorded in the new environ- ment. There was no evidence of behavioral alterations due to the different habitat conditions, the translocation process or the palm cultivation activities at the release site. These results indicate that reintroduction, even to fragments used for cultivation purposes, is a viable conservation approach for howler monkey conservation in the Los Tuxtlas region of Mexico. KEY WORDS: Adaptive responses · Alouatta palliata · Conservation · Mexico · Reintroduction Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisher INTRODUCTION translocation or reintroduction has been successful (IUCN SSC 2002). Certain site characteristics can facil- The conversion of ecosystems for farming, planta- itate the objectives of a translocation or reintroduction tions and urban or suburban developments is reducing (ensuring long-term persistence of the released ani- a diverse range of habitats (Soulé & Orians 2001).
  • Diets of Howler Monkeys

    Diets of Howler Monkeys

    Chapter 2 Diets of Howler Monkeys Pedro Américo D. Dias and Ariadna Rangel-Negrín Abstract Based on a bibliographical review, we examined the diets of howler mon- keys to compile a comprehensive overview of their food resources and document dietary diversity. Additionally, we analyzed the effects of rainfall, group size, and forest size on dietary variation. Howlers eat nearly all available plant parts in their habitats. Time dedicated to the consumption of different food types varies among species and populations, such that feeding behavior can range from high folivory to high frugivory. Overall, howlers were found to use at least 1,165 plant species, belonging to 479 genera and 111 families as food sources. Similarity in the use of plant taxa as food sources (assessed with the Jaccard index) is higher within than between howler species, although variation in similarity is higher within species. Rainfall patterns, group size, and forest size affect several dimensions of the dietary habits of howlers, such that, for instance, the degree of frugivory increases with increased rainfall and habitat size, but decreases with increasing group size in groups that live in more productive habitats. Moreover, the range of variation in dietary habits correlates positively with variation in rainfall, suggesting that some howler species are habitat generalists and have more variable diets, whereas others are habi- tat specialists and tend to concentrate their diets on certain plant parts. Our results highlight the high degree of dietary fl exibility demonstrated by the genus Alouatta and provide new insights for future research on howler foraging strategies. Resumen Con base en una revisión bibliográfi ca, examinamos las dietas de los monos aulladores para describir exhaustivamente sus recursos alimenticios y la diversidad de su dieta.
  • Differences in Home Range, Activity Patterns and Diet of Red Howler Monkeys in a Continuous Forest and a Forest Fragment in Colombia Pablo R

    Differences in Home Range, Activity Patterns and Diet of Red Howler Monkeys in a Continuous Forest and a Forest Fragment in Colombia Pablo R

    Rev. Acad. Colomb. Cienc. Ex. Fis. Nat. 39(153):503-513000-000, octubre-diciembre de 2015 Ecological traits of red howler monkeys in Meta, Colombia doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18257/raccefyn.262 Original article CienciasNatural naturalesSciences Differences in home range, activity patterns and diet of red howler monkeys in a continuous forest and a forest fragment in Colombia Pablo R. Stevenson1,*, Marta L. Beltrán1, Marcela J. Quiñones1,2, Jorge A. Ahumada1,3 1 Centro de Investigaciones Ecológicas La Macarena. Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Los Andes. Bogotá, Colombia 2 Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands 3 Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network (TEAM), Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, Conservation International. Arlington, VA, USA Abstract Howler monkeys, genus Alouatta, are recognized as one of the most resistant primates to forest fragmentation. In this study a comparison of the home range, activity and diet of red howler monkeys (A. seniculus) was made between a continuous forest and a fragment in Meta, Colombia (Tinigua Park and Santa Rosa farm, respectively). Data was gathered on focal animals for 4-5 days per month, over 13 months in the continuous forest, and for six months in a 21-ha fragment. Home range areas were larger in the continuous forest. Resting was the most frequent activity in both places (58-59%), but individuals in the continuous forest moved more than those in the fragment (15 vs. 9%). In contrast, feeding was less frequent in the continuous forest (23 vs. 31%). Consumption of leaves was higher in the fragment (67%) than in the continuous forest (56%), contrasting with the pattern found for ripe fruit consumption (fragment: 32%, continuous forest: 44%).
  • Ecology of Guatemalan Howler Monkeys (Alouatta Pigra Lawrence)

    Ecology of Guatemalan Howler Monkeys (Alouatta Pigra Lawrence)

    University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 1980 Ecology of Guatemalan howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra Lawrence) Janene M. Caywood The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Caywood, Janene M., "Ecology of Guatemalan howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra Lawrence)" (1980). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 7254. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/7254 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. COPYRIGHT ACT OF 1976 Th is is an unpublished manuscript in which copyright sub ­ s is t s . Any further r e p r in t in g of it s contents must be approved BY THE AUTHOR. MANSFIELD L ibrary Un iv e r s it y of Montana Da t e : 1 9 g 0 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ECOLOGY OF GUATEMALAN HOWLER MONKEYS (AToutta piqra Lawrence) by Janene M. Caywood B.S., Oregon State University, 1976 Presented in partial fu lfillm e n t of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA 1980 Approved by: Chairman, Board of E^amfners Dean, Graduate SchTTol a Date Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner.
  • The Effects of Habitat Disturbance on the Populations of Geoffroy's Spider Monkeys in the Yucatan Peninsula

    The Effects of Habitat Disturbance on the Populations of Geoffroy's Spider Monkeys in the Yucatan Peninsula

    The Effects of Habitat Disturbance on the Populations of Geoffroy’s Spider Monkeys in the Yucatan Peninsula PhD thesis Denise Spaan Supervisor: Filippo Aureli Co-supervisor: Gabriel Ramos-Fernández August 2017 Instituto de Neuroetología Universidad Veracruzana 1 For the spider monkeys of the Yucatan Peninsula, and all those dedicated to their conservation. 2 Acknowledgements This thesis turned into the biggest project I have ever attempted and it could not have been completed without the invaluable help and support of countless people and organizations. A huge thank you goes out to my supervisors Drs. Filippo Aureli and Gabriel Ramos- Fernández. Thank you for your guidance, friendship and encouragement, I have learnt so much and truly enjoyed this experience. This thesis would not have been possible without you and I am extremely proud of the results. Additionally, I would like to thank Filippo Aureli for all his help in organizing the logistics of field work. Your constant help and dedication to this project has been inspiring, and kept me pushing forward even when it was not always easy to do so, so thank you very much. I would like to thank Dr. Martha Bonilla for offering me an amazing estancia at the INECOL. Your kind words have encouraged and inspired me throughout the past three years, and have especially helped me to get through the last few months. Thank you! A big thank you to Drs. Colleen Schaffner and Jorge Morales Mavil for all your feedback and ideas over the past three years. Colleen, thank you for helping me to feel at home in Mexico and for all your support! I very much look forward to continue working with all of you in the future! I would like to thank the CONACYT for my PhD scholarship and the Instituto de Neuroetología for logistical, administrative and financial support.
  • Morphological Variation of Two Howler Monkey Species and Their Genetically-Confirmed Hybrids

    Morphological Variation of Two Howler Monkey Species and Their Genetically-Confirmed Hybrids

    Morphological Variation of Two Howler Monkey Species and Their Genetically-Confirmed Hybrids by Mary A. Kelaita A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Anthropology) in The University of Michigan 2012 Doctoral Committee: Assistant Research Scientist Liliana Cortés-Ortiz, Co-Chair Professor Milford H. Wolpoff, Co-Chair Professor John C. Mitani Associate Professor Laura M. MacLatchy Associate Professor Thore Jon Bergman © M. A. Kelaita All Rights Reserved, 2012 To Mom and Dad ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I owe my gratitude to so many who have a played a role in the success of this work. I wish that the contributions of this work will serve as testament to their efforts, encouragement, and support. My graduate education has been a journey not without its challenges. But my committee co-chair Dr. Milford Wolpoff’s support allowed me to believe in myself and always be critical. He is the kind of adviser who always commands the utmost respect but with whom you feel most comfortable sharing your most personal joys and pains. I will always be indebted for his cheerleading, compassion, commitment to making me a true scientist and scholar, and taking me under his wing when I was in need. “Thank you” is truly not enough. Equally influential has been my committee co-chair Dr. Cortés-Ortiz. Her patience with my development up to this point has been unparalleled. I know that everything I learned from her, whether in the lab or the field, falls under the best mentorship a student can ask for. She was always highly critical, holding my work to the highest standards, always having my interests at the top of her priorities.
  • Ficus Insipida Subsp. Insipida

    Ficus Insipida Subsp. Insipida

    Journal of Biogeography (J. Biogeogr.) (2014) 41, 1697–1709 Ficus insipida insipida ORIGINAL subsp. (Moraceae) ARTICLE reveals the role of ecology in the phylogeography of widespread Neotropical rain forest tree species Eurıdice N. Honorio Coronado1,2*, Kyle G. Dexter3,4, Monica F. Poelchau5, Peter M. Hollingsworth4, Oliver L. Phillips1 and R. Toby Pennington4 1School of Geography, University of Leeds, ABSTRACT Leeds LS2 9JT, UK, 2Instituto de Aim To examine the phylogeography of Ficus insipida subsp. insipida in order Investigaciones de la Amazonia Peruana, 3 to investigate patterns of spatial genetic structure across the Neotropics and Iquitos, Peru, School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JN, within Amazonia. 4 UK, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Location Neotropics. Edinburgh EH3 5LR, UK, 5Department of – Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, Methods Plastid DNA (trnH psbA; 410 individuals from 54 populations) and DC 20057, USA nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS; 85 individuals from 27 pop- ulations) sequences were sampled from Mexico to Bolivia, representing the full extent of the taxon’s distribution. Divergence of plastid lineages was dated using a Bayesian coalescent approach. Genetic diversity was assessed with indi- ces of haplotype and nucleotide diversities, and genetic structure was examined using spatial analysis of molecular variance (SAMOVA) and haplotype net- works. Population expansion within Amazonia was tested using neutrality and mismatch distribution tests. Results trnH–psbA sequences yielded 19 haplotypes restricted to either Meso- america or Amazonia; six haplotypes were found among ITS sequences. Diver- sification of the plastid DNA haplotypes began c. 14.6 Ma. Haplotype diversity for trnH–psbA was higher in Amazonia.
  • The Macrofauna of Water-Filled Tree Holes on Barro Colorado Island

    The Macrofauna of Water-Filled Tree Holes on Barro Colorado Island

    BIOTROPICA 33(1): 110±120 2001 The Macrofauna of Water-®lled Tree Holes on Barro Colorado Island, Panama1 Stephen P. Yanoviak2 Department of Zoology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, U.S.A. ABSTRACT The fauna of water-®lled tree holes in Neotropical forests is not well documented. Cumulatively, 54 macroinvertebrate and 5 vertebrate taxa were found in arti®cial and natural tree holes censused over four wet seasons on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Most of the species were in the insect order Diptera, occurred as aquatic larvae in tree holes, and were detritivore/omnivores. Half (49%) of the collected species are considered specialists in this and similar container habitats, and three invertebrate taxa were previously unknown from tree holes. Successional patterns were weak in tree holes, but some taxa predictably colonized holes shortly after they were ®lled. The mosquito Culex urichii was more common and abundant in arti®cial than in natural tree holes; occurrence frequencies and densities of most other taxa were similar between hole types. RESUMEN La macrofauna de reservorios de agua en los huecos de los aÂrboles de bosques neotropicales no ha sido bien docu- mentada. En total, 54 grupos de macroinvertebrados y 5 grupos de vertebrados fueron encontrados en huecos arti®- ciales y naturales examinados durante cuatro estaciones lluviosas en la Isla Barro Colorado, PanamaÂ. De las especies encontradas, la mayorõÂa pertenecen al orden Diptera. TambieÂn, la mayorõÂa ocurren como larvas acuaÂticas y son detrõÂvoros/omnõÂvoros. Cerca de la mitad (49%) de las especies son consideradas como especialistas en este tipo de haÂbitat y reservorios similares, y tres grupos de invertebrados no han sido reportados en los huecos de los aÂrboles.
  • Impact of Intrasexual Selection on Sexual Dimorphism and Testes Size in the Mexican Howler Monkeys Alouatta Palliata and A

    Impact of Intrasexual Selection on Sexual Dimorphism and Testes Size in the Mexican Howler Monkeys Alouatta Palliata and A

    AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 146:179–187 (2011) Impact of Intrasexual Selection on Sexual Dimorphism and Testes Size in the Mexican Howler Monkeys Alouatta palliata and A. pigra Mary Kelaita,1* Pedro Ame´ rico D. Dias,2 Ma. del Socorro Aguilar-Cucurachi,2 Domingo Canales-Espinosa,2 and Liliana Corte´ s-Ortiz3 1Department of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1107 2Instituto de Neuroetologı´a, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico 3Museum of Zoology and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1079 KEY WORDS body size dimorphism; canine dimorphism; sperm competition ABSTRACT One of the goals of physical anthropology body mass and length, and dental data were obtained and primatology is to understand how primate social sys- from casts from wild individuals and from museum speci- tems influence the evolution of sexually selected traits. mens. Although A. pigra individuals are larger than their Howler monkeys provide a good model for studying sex- A. palliata counterparts, we find that both species exhibit ual selection due to differences in social systems between similar levels of sexual dimorphism for all of the variables related species. Here, we examine data from the sister considered. Testicular volume results indicate that A. pal- howler monkey species Alouatta palliata and A. pigra liata male testes are on average twice as large as those of inhabiting southeastern Mexico and northern Guatemala. A. pigra males, suggesting more intense sperm competi- We use a resampling approach to analyze differences in tion in the former species. Our study shows that A. pigra sexual dimorphism of body and canine size.