Fruit choice by red howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus) in a tropical rain forest

Abstract

This paper presents and discusses aspects of fruit selectivity by red howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus) in relation with morphological characteristics of fruits. These data are used to provide an answer to the following questions: which are the fruit characteristics that lead fruit choice of howler monkeys and to what extent fruit characteristics play a role in seed dispersal by monkeys? The frugivorous diet of a troop of red howler monkeys was determined during a 2‐year field study in French Guiana. The selection of fruit by howler monkeys was analyzed in relation to the fruit availability. Results showed that, although consumption followed availability, fruit species could be classified in three categories according to their selection ratio (percentage of consumption/percentage of abundance) as “high ranking,” “middle ranking,” and “low ranking” species. Also, the 97 species of fruit eaten by the monkeys were grouped according to the morphological characteristics thought to influence the monkeys' choice. This showed that howler monkeys consumed essentially fruits with juicy pulp, bright color, and a small number of well‐protected seeds. Most of high ranking species had medium‐sized fruits with yellow color, and low ranking species often had small fruits. However, howler monkeys are associated with the dispersal of seeds from fruit with a hard and indehiscent pericarp and/or large seeds, like those of the Sapotaceae family. Consequently, they can be considered as “specialized” frugivores for this fruit syndrome. © l996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Nutritional Composition of Fruits Selected by Long-Tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Kuala Selangor, Malaysia

“…These fruit characteristics must relate to the preference of the primates regarding which species to exploit according to their ability to manipulate and digest the fruits based on their nutritional requirements (McConkey et al 2002). Most primates select fruits that are yellow in colour with a rind-like skin, sweet juicy pulp and well-protected seeds (Julliot 1996). In this study, in addition to having preferred fruit features such as being sweet, juicy and large in size, the fruit of M. indica also has high fibre content.…”

O mico-leão-dourado ( Leontopithecus rosalia) como dispersor de sementes na Reserva Biológica União/IBAMA, Rio das Ostras, RJ.

“…Os estudos de fenologia da frutificação nos trópicos relatam a ocorrência de sazonalidade (Howe, 1984;Julliot, 1996;Kaplin & Moermond, 1998 Os frutos da maioria das árvores tropicais apresentam características morfológicas que favorecem a dispersão das sementes por um agente em particular (Janson, 1983, Van der Pijl, 1972. Características dos frutos que são adaptados a determinado grupo de dispersores incluem a cor, grau de proteção de semente, qualidade da polpa e tamanho (Tutin et al, 1991).…”

“…O padrão de locomoção e atividade dos primatas afeta a distribuição espacial e temporal das sementes (Schupp, 1993, Julliot, 1996. Os micos são animais com grande mobilidade, e Kierulff (2000), estudando os mesmos grupos encontrou que a distância média percorrida ao dia por SJII foi de 1.873 + 302m, e por LB foi de 1.745 + 484m.…”

Resource use and seed dispersal by red howler monkeys (<i>Alouatta seniculus</i>) in a Colombian Andean forest

“…Studies of A. seniculus suggest that this species is more a generalist than is A. palliata and usually does not depend on one type of habitat in particular (Neville, 1972;Stevenson et al, 1991;Julliot, 1996;Bicca-Marques, 2003).…”