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Habitat selection by translocated black howler monkeys in Belize

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2000

Linde E. T. Ostro
Affiliation:
Science Resource Center, Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY, 10460, USA Louis Calder Biological Station and Department of Biology, Fordham University, Armonk, NY 10504, USA
Scott C. Silver
Affiliation:
Science Resource Center, Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY, 10460, USA Louis Calder Biological Station and Department of Biology, Fordham University, Armonk, NY 10504, USA
Fred W. Koontz
Affiliation:
Science Resource Center, Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY, 10460, USA
Truman P. Young
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Abstract

Habitat selection by translocated black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) was studied in Belize, Central America. Ranging patterns of two recently translocated groups were contrasted with those of two groups in the same area with established home ranges, on a yearly and monthly basis. All groups concentrated their activities along stream beds at elevations below 200 m. Newly translocated groups increased the percentage of their monthly ranges in riverine areas (within 100 m of a water source) over the year of the study (with the exception of the last month) while established groups did not. Areas used more than five times by the monkeys contained larger trees and a greater relative coverage of major food species than low-use areas even though they had a lower overall species richness and diversity. These monkeys may be selecting habitat within the forest based upon vegetative differences and ranging patterns may be affected by patterns of food availability.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2000 The Zoological Society of London

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