Howell SM, Jensch R, Ramirez OV, Fonseca EAC, Seaboch M. · 2026

Coexistence in Regenerating Forests: Activity Budgets, Vertical Stratification, and Habitat Use among Three Neotropical Primates

Resumo em português

RESUMO A coexistência entre primatas simpátricos é frequentemente mantida por meio de diferenças na dieta, orçamentos de atividade, uso do espaço vertical e respostas à heterogeneidade ambiental, contudo esses mecanismos permanecem insuficientemente testados em florestas em regeneração. Como a perda de habitat e o declínio populacional ameaçam muitos primatas, é importante determinar se habitats em regeneração podem suportar populações viáveis enquanto mantêm a diferenciação ecológica entre espécies. Integrarmos variáveis hidrológicas, de habitat e climáticas com observações dos orçamentos de atividade e uso do espaço vertical para avaliar como bugios-da-américa-central (Alouatta palliata), macacos-aranha-de-capuz (Ateles geoffroyi) e

Resumo original em inglês

Abstract Coexistence among sympatric primates is often maintained through differences in diet, activity budgets, vertical space use, and responses to environmental heterogeneity, yet these mechanisms remain insufficiently tested in regenerating forests. Because habitat loss and population decline threaten many primates, it is important to determine whether regenerating habitats can support viable populations while maintaining ecological differentiation among species. We integrated hydrological, habitat, and weather variables with observations of activity budgets and vertical space use to evaluate how mantled howler monkeys ( Alouatta palliata ), Central American spider monkeys ( Ateles geoffroyi ), and Panamanian white-throated capuchins ( Cebus imitator ) use forest habitats at La Selva Research Station, Costa Rica. Across 91 observation events involving 462 individuals, all three species were observed most often in old-growth forest and near minor rivers, indicating overlap in broad environmental contexts. Individual density estimates were high relative to published values for howler monkeys (32.8 individuals/km²) and spider monkeys (27.8 individuals/km²), whereas capuchin density (20.1 individuals/km²) was near the upper end of published ranges. Despite this overlap, species differed in behavior and vertical space use: howler monkeys were observed primarily resting and foraging and used both canopy and emergent strata, spider monkeys traveled most frequently and concentrated in the canopy, and capuchins showed mixed activity patterns while also using the canopy most often. These findings indicate that regenerating forests can support substantial primate populations while preserving species-specific ecological strategies important to primate coexistence.

Espécies citadas

• Alouatta palliata · bugio-da-américa-central
  ?

  Nomes populares variam entre regiões e uma mesma palavra pode designar espécies diferentes. Confira sempre o nome científico: Alouatta palliata.
• Ateles geoffroyi · macaco-aranha-de-capuz
  ?

  Nomes populares variam entre regiões e uma mesma palavra pode designar espécies diferentes. Confira sempre o nome científico: Ateles geoffroyi.
• Cebus imitator