Abundance of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) Affects Group Characteristics and Use of Space by Golden-Headed Lion Tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) in Cabruca Agroforest

Abstract

Cabruca is an agroforest of cacao trees shaded by native forest trees. It is the predominant vegetation type throughout eastern part of the range of the golden-headed lion tamarins, Leontopithecus chrysomelas, an endangered primate endemic to Atlantic Forest. Understanding how lion tamarins use this agroforest is a conservation priority. To address this question, we documented the diet, home range size, group sizes and composition, density, number of litters and body condition of lion tamarins living in cabruca, and other habitats. Jackfruit, Artocarpus heterophyllus, was the most used species used by lion tamarins in cabruca and was widely available and used throughout the year. In cabruca, home range size was the smallest (22-28 ha) and density of lion tamarins was the highest (1.7 ind/ha) reported for the species. Group size averaged 7.4 individuals and was not significantly different among the vegetation types. In cabruca, groups produced one or two litters a year, and all litters were twins. Adult males in cabruca were significantly heavier than males in primary forest. Our study is the first to demonstrate that breeding groups of golden-headed lion tamarins can survive and reproduce entirely within cabruca agroforest. Jackfruit proved to be a keystone resource for lion tamarins in cabruca, and bromeliads were important as an animal prey foraging microhabitat. In cases where cabruca contains concentrated resources, such as jackfruit and bromeliads, lion tamarins may not only survive and reproduce but may fare better than in other forest types, at least for body condition and reproduction.

Occurrences of the Golden-Headed Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecuschrysomelas) Above 500 Meters in Southern Bahia, Brazil and Implications for Conservation Planning

“…Floresta Azul (Sighting 1) is within the Serra dos Barbados range that rises to approximately 800 m, with cabruca forest occurring up to 700 m. The region of Arataca where L. chrysomelas was found (Sightings 2 and 3), is part a chain of mountains that includes the Serra das Lontras, the Serra dos Quatis and the Serra Javi where the maximum altitude is nearly 1,000 m. Cabruca is prevalent up to altitudes of 600 m. The region of Camacã where L. chrysomelas was found (Sighting 4) is located in the Serra do Baixão chain (west of Lontras) that rises up to 900 m and is composed of a mosaic of vegetation ranging from open pasture to mature forest. Cabruca is a habitat known to be used by L. chrysomelas and provides suitable resources throughout the species' range (Oliveira et al 2010(Oliveira et al , 2011Raboy et al 2010).…”

Report on the presence of a group of golden-headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas), an endangered primate species in a rubber plantation in southern Bahia, Brazil

“…With respect to potential resources for goldenheaded lion tamarins, several of the older rubber trees bear epiphytic bromeliads, providing potential microhabitats for insect foraging (Raboy and Dietz, 2004). Bromeliads are listed as principal foraging sites at all study areas where golden-headed lion tamarins have been observed (Raboy and Dietz, 2004;Guidorizzi, 2008;Oliveira et al, 2011;Catenacci et al, 2016). Although we did not record our study group foraging in bromeliads in the rubber plantation during the observation period described here, we observed this behaviour at a later time.…”

“…More recent studies have reported the species being able to survive and reproduce in secondary forests, including cabruca agroforests (Catenacci et al, 2016;Oliveira et al, 2011). Being predominantly a frugivore, the species' diet varies between areas, reflecting differences in floristic composition and plant density; this indicates that the species adapts easily to changes in fruit availability (Catenacci et al, 2016).…”

“…To facilitate habituation and monitoring, we captured a group of three golden-headed lion tamarins on 28 September 2013 in a degraded forest patch adjacent to the rubber plantation, using platforms armed with Tomahawk live traps (trap measures: 48.3 cm × 15.2 cm × 15.2 cm) and baited with bananas (following procedures described in Dietz et al, 1996). In the field laboratory, the animals were identified as two males and one female weighing 614, 617 and 637 g respectively, indicating adult ages (adult weight range: 500-800 g; Oliveira et al, 2011). One male and the female were fitted with a radio collar (Holohil, RI-2D) to facilitate ongoing habituation and monitoring.…”

Introduced Primate Species of an Atlantic Forest Region in Brazil: Present and Future Implications for the Native Fauna

“…The estimated number of golden-headed lion tamarins in 2009 was around 107 individuals [14]; however, this number may currently be higher because there have been four reproductive seasons since the survey and lion tamarins can produce twins in each reproductive season [18]. Also, the hybrids of the genus Cebus recorded by Cunha [12] have established populations mainly in the city of Rio de Janeiro.…”