Diet and Feeding Behavior of Leontopithecus chrysomelas (Callitrichidae) in Degraded Areas of the Atlantic Forest of South-Bahia, Brazil

et al. 2018

IJFP

Self Cite

This study evaluated the genetic structure of wild populations of the endangered primate, Leontopithecus chrysomelas. We tested the assumption that populations of L. chrysomelas, given their larger population size and a higher degree of habitat continuity, would have higher genetic diversity and less genetic structuring than other lion tamarins. We used 11 microsatellites and 122 hair samples from different locations to assess their genetic diversity and genetic structure, and to make inferences about the isolation by distance. The overall expected heterozygosity (0.51 ± 0.03) and the average number of alleles (3.6 ± 0.2) were relatively low, as is the case in other endangered lion tamarins. Genetic clustering analyses indicated two main clusters, whereas the statistical analyses based on genotype similarities and F_st suggested further substructure. A Mantel test showed that only 34% of this genetic differentiation was explained by the linear distance. In addition to linear distance, structural differences in the landscape, physical barriers and behavioural factors may be causing significant genetic structuring. Overall, this study suggests that these populations have a relatively low genetic diversity and a relatively high population genetic structure, putting in question whether the presence of agroforest systems (known locally as cabruca) is enough to fully re-establish functional landscape connectivity.

Section: Study Area and Sample Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Population Genetic Structure of an Endangered Endemic Primate (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) in a Highly Fragmented Atlantic Coastal Rain Forest

Moraes

Grativol

et al. 2018

IJFP

Self Cite

“…With respect to potential resources for goldenheaded lion tamarins, several of the older rubber trees bear epiphytic bromeliads, providing potential microhabitats for insect foraging (Raboy and Dietz, 2004). Bromeliads are listed as principal foraging sites at all study areas where golden-headed lion tamarins have been observed (Raboy and Dietz, 2004;Guidorizzi, 2008;Oliveira et al, 2011;Catenacci et al, 2016). Although we did not record our study group foraging in bromeliads in the rubber plantation during the observation period described here, we observed this behaviour at a later time.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

“…More recent studies have reported the species being able to survive and reproduce in secondary forests, including cabruca agroforests (Catenacci et al, 2016;Oliveira et al, 2011). Being predominantly a frugivore, the species' diet varies between areas, reflecting differences in floristic composition and plant density; this indicates that the species adapts easily to changes in fruit availability (Catenacci et al, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The extent to which the availability of sufficient sleeping sites and/or foraging sites limits its capacity for exploring altered habitats is as of yet undocumented. Therefore, maintaining a forest mosaic that includes patches of forest providing these resources is considered important (Catenacci et al, 2016). The rubber plantation in this study is relatively old (approx.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tapirira guianensis; Oliveira et al, 2010) and jackfruit trees. Jackfruit, an exotic species introduced in Brazil in the 18th century, is widely distributed along the Brazilian coast (Correia, 1975). Many animal species consume its fruits, including Leontopithecus chrysomelas; the consumption of jackfruit has been observed at all sites in the ombrophyllous forest where this primate has been studied (Raboy and Dietz, 2004;Oliveira et al, 2011;Catenacci et al, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Report on the presence of a group of golden-headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas), an endangered primate species in a rubber plantation in southern Bahia, Brazil

Oliveira

2017

Primate Biol.

Self Cite

Abstract. In a landscape fragmented by agriculture, the extent to which forest-dwelling primates can use the matrix between fragments can be critical for their long-term survival. So far, the golden-headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas), an endangered primate inhabiting the Atlantic Forest of south Bahia, is only known to use shaded cacao (Theobroma cacao) agroforests within the matrix. We report on the use of a rubber plantation by a group of golden-headed lion tamarins between August 2013 and January 2014. The group used the rubber plantation on 16 of the 22 observation days (73 %), and we recorded behaviours such as eating, grooming and sleeping, consistent with the use of the area as a home range. We also observed associations with Wied's marmosets (Callithrix kuhlii). The locations of group sightings were not uniformly spread across the entire area of the rubber plantation, suggesting preferred use of certain areas. The presence of resources such as jackfruits (Artocarpus heterophyllus) and epiphytic bromeliads may be attracting both species to these plantations. In addition to shaded cacao plantations, rubber plantations with the appropriate structure may be a viable option for increasing forest connectivity for both species in south Bahia, reconciling economic rubber production with primate conservation.

Individual behavioral differences and health of golden‐headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas)

Costa

Nogueira-Filho

et al. 2020

American J Primatol

Self Cite

Individual behavioral differences may influence how animals cope with altered environments. Depending on their behavioral traits, individuals may thus vary in how their health is affected by environmental conditions. We investigated the relationship between individual behavior of free-living golden-headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) responding to a novel object (to assess explorationavoidance), and their habitat use and health status (endoparasitism; clinical measures: biometric data, heart rate, respiratory frequency, and temperature; fecal glucocorticoid metabolites). As parasite transmission can be affected by individual variation in social contact and social grooming, we also evaluated whether more sociable individuals show higher endoparasite loads compared with less sociable animals. Four groups living in landscapes with different levels of human disturbance were investigated: two in degraded forest fragments in an agricultural matrix (DFAM-higher disturbance), and two in a cocoa agroforestry system (cabruca-lower disturbance) in the Atlantic forest of South Bahia, Brazil. Using a subjective ratings approach, highly correlated adjective descriptors were combined to produce z-score ratings of one derived variable ("confidence"), which was selected to characterize the tamarins' exploration/avoidance responses during a novel object test. The higher the confidence score, the longer female tamarins spent foraging for prey independent of landscape, and the greater their body mass independent of sex and landscape. Only DFAM individuals showed intestinal parasite infection. Endoparasite loads were positively correlated with the number of grooming partners, suggesting an association between social grooming and transmission (more groomers = more endoparasites). Individual behavior, including in a test situation, may thus have some predictive value for behavior in a free-living context, and for its health consequences.