Geophagy in the golden-faced saki monkey (Pithecia pithecia chrysocephala) in the Central Amazon

Abstract

The golden-faced saki monkey Pithecia pithecia chrysocephala (Cebidae, Primates) was observed eating soil from termite nests during a long-term study of a family group in a Central Amazonian forest fragment. In this paper we describe the behaviour involved in the geophagy in these monkeys, and the results of geochemical and physical analyses of the termite nest material, as well as root mat and topsoil samples below the trees, in order to clarify the possible reasons for it. The sakis ate soil from nine arboreal termite nests on 26 soil feeding-bouts (in 853 observation hours); 25 soil feeding-bouts occurred in March 1987 (rainy season), during 19 days or 132 observation hours, and occupied 0.7% of the feeding time. Geophagy frequencies did not differ between sexes (17 feeding-bouts of four females and 8 for two males). Mineral composition was higher in arboreal termitaria than in the topsoil. Kaolinite was the major clay component. Tannin adsorptive capacity, tested through a modi®ed radial diffusion method of Hagerman, was around 10±20%, similar to a control with kaolin (10±20%), but lower than bentonite or celite (30±45%). The observations reported here, although inconclusive as to the function of geophagy in this species, indicate that it is not a mineral supplement during times of scarcity or high consumption of leaves, as has been reported for other primates, nor that it is related to fruit consumption (redressing possible mineral imbalance), as has been suggested for some other frugivorous mammals. Our results do not rule out tannin adsorptive hypothesis for the ingestion of clays, but, being an irregular habit, we argue that it is most likely related to rare and occasional dietary components.

Terrestrial Behavior in Titi Monkeys (Callicebus, Cheracebus, and Plecturocebus): Potential Correlates, Patterns, and Differences between Genera

“…and Callicebus spp. can be related to one of several benefits (or a combination of them) resulted from ingestion of soil, including mineral supplementation, antacid action, toxin absorption, endoparasite control, and/or antidiarrheal agents (Krishnamani and Mahaney 2000;Setz et al 1999). Forest ground levels have a higher concentration than the canopy of old and dead bark under which insects can hide (Li 2007), and may be locally rich in clay and mud areas (e.g.…”

A taxonomic revision of the Saki monkeys, <i>Pithecia </i>Desmarest, 1804

“…In actuality, there is very little data on any of the taxa in the wild. Examples are: P. pithecia, which has been studied the longest with the most publications, but in particular by Norconk and associates 1 , and others (e.g., Mittermeier and Van Roosmalen, 1981;Oliveira et al, 1985;Vié et al, 2001;Riveros and Ferreira, 2001;Lehman et al, 2001;Janson, 2006, 2007); P. chrysocephala (see Rylands, 1992;Setz, 1993;Setz and Gaspar, 1997;Setz et al, 1999;Gilbert and Setz, 2001;Gilbert, 2003); P. napensis (called "aequatorialis" by DiFiore et al, 2007); P. aequatorialis (see Aquino et al, 2009); P. albicans (see Johns, 1985, Peres 1993; and a handful of other species (Heymann and Bartecki, 1990;Heymann et al, 2002;Frisoli, 2009; Palminteri and Peres 2012). Table 4.…”

Human Impacts on Primate Conservation in Central Amazonia

“…4), and BDFFP has suffered from theft, i Six primate species reside in the BDFFP study area: red howler monkey (Alouatta seniculus), black spider monkey (Ateles paniscus), brown capuchin monkey (Cebus apella), brown bearded saki (Chiropotes satanas chiropotes) 1 , white-faced saki monkey (Pithecia pithecia), and goldenhanded tamarin (Saguinus midas). Although research at BDFFP has been ongoing since 1979, primate research in the forest fragments has been sporadic, with in-depth behavioral and ecological research only on red howler monkeys [35][36][37][38][39][40], white-faced saki monkeys [41][42][43], and bearded saki monkeys [44]. Therefore, there is still much to learn regarding the responses of the primates to forest fragmentation.…”