Resource use by howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) in the rain forest of Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico

1984 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Estrada
Keyword(s):  
Resource Use ◽  
Rain Forest ◽  
Alouatta Palliata ◽  
Los Tuxtlas ◽  
Howler Monkeys

Howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata), dung beetles (Scarabaeidae) and seed dispersal: ecological interactions in the tropical rain forest of Los Tuxtlas, Mexico

1991 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 459-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Estrada ◽  
Rosamond Coates-Estrada
Keyword(s):  
Rain Forest ◽  
Forest Regeneration ◽  
Dung Beetles ◽  
Alouatta Palliata ◽  
Ecological Interactions ◽  
Los Tuxtlas ◽  
Howler Monkeys ◽  
Ball Rolling ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Number Of Seeds

ABSTRACTThe dispersal of seeds by howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) and the activity of dung beetles in modulating the fate of the dispersed seed were studied at Los Tuxtlas, Mexico. Howlers consumed the fruits of 35 species of plants. The seeds of 28 of these were dispersed by the monkeys. The majority (≥90%) of the seeds dispersed by monkeys were destroyed by rodents. Rapid relocation and burial of dung by dung beetles resulted in accidental relocation and burial of large numbers of seeds shortly after deposition. Faecal clumps (20 mg) remained on the ground for an average of only 2.5 h (range 1–3 h). Ball rolling beetles transported balls up to 5.0 m from the site of deposition (range 1–5 m). Burrowing and ball-rolling dung beetles buried seeds at depths ranging from 2.5 to > 12.0cm. The deeper a seed is buried, the less likely it is to be found and eaten by rodents. Eighty percent of the species used by Alouatta as sources of fruit at Los Tuxtlas benefited by the dispersal and post dispersal service provided by howlers and dung beetles respectively. Seasonality in dung beetles abundance in the forest may influence the number of seeds per species escaping post-dispersal predation during the year. Dung beetles play not only an important ecological role in the recycling of matter and energy in the ecosystem, but also in the process of rain forest regeneration.

Dung beetles attracted to mammalian herbivore (Alouatta palliata) and omnivore (Nasua narica) dung in the tropical rain forest of Los Tuxtlas, Mexico

1993 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Estrada ◽  
Gonzalo Halffter ◽  
Rosamond Coates-Estrada ◽  
Dennis A. Meritt
Keyword(s):  
Rain Forest ◽  
Tropical Rain Forest ◽  
Dung Beetle ◽  
Dung Beetles ◽  
Alouatta Palliata ◽  
Howler Monkey ◽  
Los Tuxtlas ◽  
Nasua Narica ◽  
Ball Rolling ◽  
Species Overlap

ABSTRACTDung beetles attracted to howler monkey (Alouatta palliata) and coati (Nasua narica) dung were studied for an annual cycle in the tropical rain forest of Los Tuxtlas, Mexico. Pitfall traps set for 24 h month−1 captured 1567 dung beetles of 21 species. The species Canlhidium martinto, Deltochilum pseudoparile and Canthon femoralis accounted for 62% of all individuals captured. While species overlap was high (> 80%) between diurnal and nocturnal samples and between howler monkey and coati dung baits, coati dung attracted species such as C. martinezi, D. pseudoparile and Onthophagus rhinolophus while species such as C. femoralis and Copris laeviceps were numerically dominant at howler monkey dung. Thirteen non-ball rolling dung beetle species and eight ball-rolling species accounted for 43% and for 57% of all beetles captured respectively. Dung beetles were present and active in all months of the year, but occurred in higher numbers between the months of March and October, when temperatures were higher. Relative abundance of howler monkey and coati dung in the rain forest of Los Tuxtlas was estimated at 11.2 g (fresh weight) ha−1 day−1 and at 13.0 g ha−1 day−1 respectively, a seemingly low amount for the large number of scarabs attracted to the dung.

Fruiting and frugivores at a strangler fig in the tropical rain forest of Los Tuxtlas, Mexico

1986 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 349-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosamond Coates-Estrada ◽  
Alejandro Estrada
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Rain Forest ◽  
Tropical Rain Forest ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Alouatta Palliata ◽  
Chemical Analyses ◽  
Los Tuxtlas ◽  
Tree Crown ◽  
Ripe Fruit ◽  
Fruit Availability

ABSTRACTDiurnal and nocturnal censuses were conducted on animal visitors at a single strangler Ficus aff. cotinifolia (H.B.K.) tree during the entire period of ripe fruit availability. Fruit fall to the ground was measured with fruit traps, and chemical analyses were conducted on the figs. Fourteen species of birds, four species of nonvolant mammals and two species of bats consumed the figs. Of the total number of ripe figs accounted for during the sampling period (N= 1.9 X 105), 42% fell to the ground, 45% were removed by mammals and 13% by birds. Frugivores such as the howling monkey Alouatta palliata, the cacomistle Bassariscus sumichrasti, the keel-billed toucan Ramphastos sulphuratus and fruit-eating bats removed the largest amounts of figs from the tree and deposited seeds of 13 plant species other than figs below the tree crown.

scholarly journals The Primate Cultural Significance Index: applications with Popoluca Indigenous people at Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianna Pinto-Marroquin ◽  
John F. Aristizabal ◽  
Yasminda García-Del Valle ◽  
Felipe Ruan-Soto ◽  
Juan Carlos Serio-Silva
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous People ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Alouatta Palliata ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Spider Monkeys ◽  
Los Tuxtlas ◽  
Cultural Significance ◽  
Howler Monkeys

Abstract Background The study of the cultural significance (CS) of biodiversity provides key information to develop conservation strategies consistent with traditions and perceptions of human communities. In Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve (TBR) in Mexico, the mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata mexicana) and the black-handed spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi vellerosus) have historically coexisted with Popoluca Indigenous Peoples. This study sought to determine how the presence of a natural protected area (TBR location) and a range of sociodemographic factors (gender, age, origin, language proficiency, education level, religion) relate to the CS held by the Popoluca Indigenous People in relation to these two endangered primate species. Methods The first Primate Cultural Significance Index (PCSI) was designed as a composed index of 11 cultural variables (sub-indices) and was applied randomly to a representative size sample of people over 15 years old in two Popolucas communities, one within the TBR (Piedra Labrada = 81 people) and another outside (Los Mangos = 91). U Mann–Whitney tests were used to compare the PCSI between communities and Generalized Linear Models (GLM) to evaluate the sociodemographic factors of participants that influenced the sub-indices in the PCSI. Results The cultural significance of spider monkeys held by the Popolucas was higher for the community within the TBR than for the community outside, while for howler monkeys it was higher outside. For both primate species across the two communities, the most relevant sub-indices were (1) interest in conservation and (2) touristic significance of primates. Sociodemographic factors of participants influenced nine sub-indices of cultural significance out of the possible 10 sub-indices applied for each primate species. The demographic factors that most influenced each sub-index for both species were location and gender. Conclusions The main differences found between communities may be linked to the conservation and sustainable development programs promoted by the reserve, as well as the greater persistence of Popolucan ancestral traditions within the boundaries of the reserve. We recommend that conservation efforts should focus on people less interested about primate conservation (women, non-natives and residents outside the reserve), and turn to the leadership of people more interested (native men who reside inside the reserve).

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