Composition and Nutritional Characteristics of Fungi Consumed by Callimico goeldii in Pando, Bolivia

Mycophagy is a relatively rare behavior in primates and has only been recorded in five callitrichid species. Here, we present data on the feeding ecology of a free-ranging group of Callithrix flaviceps, which was studied in the Augusto Ruschi Biological Reserve, Southeastern Brazil, in 2008. In contrast with other marmosets, which are typically gummivorous, the study group was predominantly mycophagous-insectivorous, with fungi corresponding to 64.8% of total feeding records, and gum (6.1%) and fruit (3.3%) together providing only a minor part of the diet. Prey corresponded to 25.8% of the group's diet. The fungi (Mycocitrus spp.) consumed by the marmosets were found attached to the stems of Merostachys bamboo. As the animal component of the group's diet was similar to that recorded in studies of other marmosets, we propose that fungi were exploited primarily as a substitute for plant material, in particular exudates. This highly mycophagous diet may be determined by two principal factors: (1) the abundance of fungi within the study area, and (2) the avoidance of bark gouging, for which C. flaviceps may be less specialized than most other marmosets. These conclusions are supported by comparisons with other marmoset groups, which indicate an ecological specialization for mycophagy in C. flaviceps, and that the species will resort to gummivory in habitats where fungi are scarce.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feeding ecology of a group of buffy‐headed marmosets (Callithrix flaviceps): fungi as a preferred resource

Hilário

Ferrari

2010

“…On several occasions, when callimicos arrived at a fruiting tree before their tamarin counterparts, they waited at the base of the tree for the tamarins to enter the tree's canopy before they began to forage [L.M. Porter, personal observation], a behavior also described by Hanson et al [2006].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Niche expansion of a cryptic primate,Callimico goeldii, while in mixed species troops

Porter

Garber

2007

Self Cite

We examined the effects of polyspecific associations on the behavior of one group of Callimico goeldii in northwestern Bolivia. Data were collected for 1 year using focal animal sampling at 5-min intervals, for a total of 1,375 observation hours. In total, C. goeldii formed mixed species troops with five groups of Saguinus fuscicollis and six groups of S. labiatus, and these were maintained during 81% of observations. C. goeldii rested more and traveled less while alone than while associated, but neither vigilance behavior in the understory nor habitat use were affected by association status. The composition of the group's diet was different while alone (higher in structural carbohydrates [fungi] and lower in simple sugars [ripe fruits] and protein [insects]) than while associated (fungi 65 vs. 37%; fruits 13 vs. 32%; insects 5 vs. 15%). We propose therefore, that C. goeldii has a lower quality and more narrowly based diet while alone as compared to while associated. The factors that allow for this dietary expansion while in mixed species troops require further investigation.

“…Because Goeldi's monkeys are very shy and elusive animals [Hanson et al, 2006;Porter, 2006], we expect them to be less likely to accept novel food than common marmosets. In a previous study [Anzenberger & Steiner, unpublished], in which common marmosets and Goeldi's monkeys were exposed for several hours to familiar food presented in a novel form (e.g., a banana instead of being peeled was in its skin) or to an altered object (the entrance of their nest-box was covered by a curtain), common marmosets were initially cautious, but then quickly started to explore and eat the food, or entered the nest-box.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Response to novel food and the role of social influences in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) and Goeldi's monkeys (Callimico goeldii)

Addessi

Chiarotti

Visalberghi

et al. 2007

Neophobia, defined as showing caution toward novel features of the environment, is widespread in birds and mammals; it can be affected by ecology, early experience, and social context. In this study, we aimed to (i) investigate the response to novel food in adult common marmosets and Goeldi's monkeys and (ii) assess the role of social influences. We used an experimental paradigm employed previously with capuchin monkeys and children, in which a subject (observer) was presented with a novel food under three conditions: (i) Presence: group members did not have food; (ii) Different color: group members received familiar food whose color differed from that of the observer's novel food; (iii) Same color: group members received familiar food of the same color as the observer's novel food. Although most common marmosets tasted and/or ate the novel food, none of the Goeldi's monkeys ate it and only two sampled it. Differences in home range size and early social experience might explain the divergent behavior of the two species. Observers of both species similarly attended to group members and their visual attention increased with the number of group members eating, especially when the observer's and group members' foods were perceptually similar. However, we observed social influences on explorative behavior in Goeldi's monkeys but not on explorative or eating behavior in common marmosets. This result might be explained by the different pattern of response to novel food observed in the two species. Moreover, social influences on Goeldi's monkeys' behavior were nonspecific, i.e. they were not based on an appreciation that the food is safe because eaten by group members.