Critically Endangered San Martin Titi Monkeys Show
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‘12/’13 Living on the edge: Critically Endangered San Martin titi monkeys (Callicebus oenanthe) show preference for forest edges in C.C. Ojos de Agua, Peru. Silvy Marcella van Kuijk I Statement of originality Except for those parts in which it is explicitly stated to the contrary, this project is my own work. It has not been submitted for any degree at this or any other academic or professional institution. ……………………………………………. ………………… Signature Date Regulations Governing the Deposit and Use of Oxford Brookes University Projects/ Dissertations 1. The “top” copies of projects/dissertations submitted in fulfilment of programme requirements shall normally be kept by the School. 2. The author shall sign a declaration agreeing that the project/ dissertation be available for reading and photocopying at the discretion of the Head of School in accordance with 3 and 4 below. 3. The Head of School shall safeguard the interests of the author by requiring persons who consult the project/dissertation to sign a declaration acknowledging the author’s copyright. 4. Permission for any one other then the author to reproduce or photocopy any part of the dissertation must be obtained from the Head of School who will give his/her permission for such reproduction on to an extent which he/she considers to be fair and reasonable. I agree that this dissertation may be available for reading and photocopying at the discretion of my Head of School in accordance with regulations 3 and 4 above.* ……………………………………………. ………………… Signature Date *The underlined words may be deleted by the author if he/she so wishes. Abstract The San Martin titi monkey (Callicebus oenanthe) is a medium sized arboreal primate that lives exclusively in the department of San Martin, Peru. Its small distribution range together with numerous threats, including habitat fragmentation and hunting, severely imperil this Critically Endangered species. However, little is known about the habitat requirements of the species. Even though many animals seem to avoid forest edges, it has been suspected that the San Martin titi monkey might have a preference for this type of habitat. This three-month study, conducted from April 16 to July 14 2013, tested one main hypothesis: San Martin titi monkeys in conservation concession Ojos de Agua prefer the boundary of primary and secondary forest over forest interior. This hypothesis was tested by estimating population density in the area using a triangulation survey method. Population density estimates were compared between primary and secondary forest. The density in the boundary between primary and secondary forest was 26.1 groups/km2, compared to a density of 3.6 groups/km2 in forest interior, confirming these cryptic primates have a preference for the forest boundaries in Ojos de Agua. The differences found in group density led to the idea to examine the possible differences in vocal behaviour of the primates between areas with different population density. We found no difference in length of the singing events and in both areas the maximum number of singing events is recorded approximately an hour after they started duetting. However, the San Martin titi monkeys in high population density areas start their duets about half an hour earlier than the titi monkeys in areas with a low population density. This shows that the vocal behaviour of these primates is influences by population density. As Ojos de Agua is one of the few larger areas where Callicebus oenanthe is still found. Consequently, the area is of great importance to the conservation of the species. Even though the secondary forest adjacent to the conservation concession is not part of the protected area, it is a crucial factor to the survival of the species. If all secondary forest will be cleared, all preferred habitat for the species will disappear. It is consequently important to determine how adaptable the species is to large changes in their habitat. Only then will we know if the San Martin titi monkeys in C. C. Ojos de Agua have a chance of survival in the near future. I Resumen El mono titi de San Martín (Callicebus oenanthe) es un primate arbóreo de tamaño mediano que vive exclusivamente en el departamento de San Martín, Perú. Su pequeño rango de distribución junto con numerosas amenazas, incluyendo la fragmentación de su hábitat y la cacería han hecho que esta especie se encuentre en peligro crítico de extinción. Sin embargo, poco se sabe acerca de los requerimientos de hábitat de esta especie. Aun cuando muchos animales parece que evitan los bordes del bosque, se sospecha que el mono titi de San Martin podría tener preferencia por este tipo de hábitat. Este estudio de tres meses, realizado del 16 de Abril al 14 de Julio del 2013, prueba una hipótesis principal: El mono titi de San Martin en la Concesión para Conservación Ojos de Agua prefiere los bordes del bosque primario y secundario sobre el interior del bosque. Esta hipótesis fue puesta a prueba estimando la densidad poblacional en el área, usando el método de triangulación por vocalización. Las densidades poblacionales estimadas fueron comparadas entre bosque primario y secundario. La densidad en el límite entre bosque primario y secundario fue de 26.1 grupos/km2 , comparándola con la densidad poblacional en el interior del bosque que fue de 3.6 grupos/km2, confirma que este críptico primate tiene preferencia por los límites del bosque en Ojos de Agua. Las diferencias encontradas en la densidad de grupos nos llevo a la idea de examinar las posibles diferencias en el comportamiento vocal de los primates entre áreas con diferente densidad poblacional. No encontramos diferencia en la duración de los eventos de vocalización, y en ambas áreas el número máximo de eventos fue escuchado aproximadamente una hora más tarde desde que comenzaron. Sin embargo, el mono titi de San Martín en áreas con alta densidad poblacional empieza su canto media hora antes que los monos titi en áreas con baja densidad poblacional. Esto nos muestra que el comportamiento vocal de este primate se ve influenciado por la densidad poblacional. Como Ojos de Agua es una de las pocas áreas grandes donde Callicebus oenanthe todavía se encuentra, consecuentemente el área es de gran importancia para la conservación de esta especie. Aun cuando el bosque secundario adyacente a la concesión no es parte del área protegida, este es un factor crucial para la sobrevivencia de la especie, si todo el bosque secundario desapareciera, todo el hábitat preferido por la especie desaparecería. Por lo que es importante determinar que tan adaptable es la especie a grandes cambios en su hábitat. Solo así sabremos si el mono titi de San Martín tiene una oportunidad de sobrevivir a largo plazo dentro de la C.C. Ojos de Agua. II Acknowledgements This project was my very first experience observing primates in the field. It has been one of my most valued experiences so far but without the help, support and advice of so many people this research would not have been successful. First and foremost I want to thank all teachers of the MSc for inspiring and teaching me and my monkey friends throughout the year. I am very grateful to my supervisor, Prof. Catherine Hill, for your patience, guidance and support throughout the development and execution of this project. Thank you to Prof. Vincent Nijman, Dr. Andrew Lack, Jan Vermeer, Antonio Bóveda and Sam Shanee for your advice and support throughout this project. Dr. Carolina Garcia Suikkanen in particular deserves a big thank you. Thank you not only for your advice, support and collaboration, but also for your friendship and many good laughs. I am forever grateful to have met and worked with the team of Proyecto Mono Tocón. This strong and motivated team of young people has set their eyes on a goal and are unstoppable. Their dedication and determination to save the San Martin titi monkey has been inspirational to me. Mis queridos toconcitos, gracias por invitarme a formar parte de vuestra familia. Muchas gracias a ABOFOA. I am thankful that they allowed me to conduct my research project in their conservation concession. I am also grateful for their dedication to preserve the area and their willingness to learn about the research methods and finish data collection for me. Thank you Tiberio, Arnaldo, Joaquin and Felipe for guiding us through your beautiful forest. Gracias Bany e Hildebrando por recibirnos en su casa. Me he sentido más bienvenida de lo que puedo describir con mi limitado conocimiento de la lengua española! I am very thankful to Apenheul Primate Conservation Trust, the Primate Society of Great Britain, Knowsley Safari Park, Primate Conservation Inc. and the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund for funding my work and believing in me and my team. Without your generous support, this project would not have been possible. The effect of your help is long lasting, as the research team of Proyecto Mono Tocón will keep working with the equipment I have been able to donate to them. Special thanks go to Eduardo Pinel and Jaime Sierro for not only being my resourceful assistants, but also becoming my close friends. Thank you for climbing up hills and down river beds with me. Jaime, thank you for your wonderful cooking, and thank you Eduardo for your always immaculate work with GIS software! My gratitude goes to the lovely Ashley Vuurstaek for proofreading the first version of this dissertation. Last but certainly not least, a warm thank you to my parents for believing in me and for their unending love and support. III Table of Content Abstract I Resumen II Acknowledgements III Table of Content IV List of abbreviations VI List of tables and figures VII Chapter 1 – Introduction 1 1.1 Forest edges 2 1.2.