Title
Spider monkeys rule the roost: Ateline sleeping sites influence rainforest heterogeneity
Date Issued
01 December 2019
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Whitworth A.
Whittaker L.
Flatt E.
Morales M.L.
Connor D.
Priego M.G.
Forsyth A.
Beirne C.
Conservation Science Team
Publisher(s)
MDPI AG
Abstract
The sleeping site behavior of Ateline primates has been of interest since the 1980s, yet limited focus has been given to their influence upon other rainforest species. Here, we use a combination of arboreal and terrestrial camera traps, and dung beetle pitfall traps, to characterize spider monkey sleeping site use and quantify the impact of their associated latrines on terrestrial vertebrate and dung beetle activity. We also characterize the physical characteristics of the sleeping sites and the floristic and soil composition of latrines beneath them. Spider monkey activity at sleeping sites peaked at dawn and dusk and group composition varied by sex of the adults detected. The habitat-use of terrestrial fauna (vertebrates and dung beetles) differed between latrine sites and non-latrine controls, underpinned by species-specific changes in the relative abundance of several seed-dispersing species (such as paca and great curassow). Seedling density was higher in latrines than in non-latrine controls. Although most soil properties were similar between latrines and controls, potassium and manganese concentrations were different. These results suggest that spider monkey sleeping site fidelity leads to a hotspot of ecological activity in latrines and downstream impacts on rainforest floristic composition and diversity.
Volume
9
Issue
12
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Conservación de la Biodiversidad Zoología, Ornitología, Entomología, ciencias biológicas del comportamiento
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85078149426
Source
Animals
ISSN of the container
20762615
Sponsor(s)
The authors are thankful for the help of all staff, visitors, and volunteers of Osa Conservation. Thanks to the Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation for supporting this research, and to the Bobolink Foundation and the International Conservation Fund of Canada for their support of conservation work in Osa. Finally, thanks to SINA-ACOSA for issuing research permits for the project (INV-ACOSA-042-17). Funding: This field research was funded by the Margot Marsh Biodiversity Fund. Acknowledgments: The authors are thankful for the help of all staff, visitors, and volunteers of Osa Conservation. Thanks to the Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation for supporting this research, and to the Bobolink Foundation and the International Conservation Fund of Canada for their support of conservation work in Osa. Finally, thanks to SINA-ACOSA for issuing research permits for the project (INV-ACOSA-042-17).
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus