Observed case of infanticide committed by a resident male central American black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra)

We described the feeding behavior of Central-American black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra) in a fragment of less than one hectare of humid evergreen forest surrounded by grassland for livestock use, isolated trees and mango orchards, in the region of Balancán (Tabasco, México). Objective: To record the diet and activity of black howler monkeys in crowded conditions during the wettest month in Balancán (Tabasco, México). Methods: The behavioral observations (81 h) were made using the focal animal methodology with an A. pigra troop made up of three individuals (1 adult male, 1 adult female and 1 infant). Results: Feeding time represented 15.97%, rest 78% and locomotion 4.57% of total time. In the study area we recorded 14 plant species, with 10 being consumed by howler monkeys. 55% of feeding time was devoted to the consumption of fruits, 27% to leaves, 17% to stems, and 1% to sprouts. Spondias mombin was the tree species most consumed, with 61% of the time invested on it. Conclusion: Like other studies, we confirmed the frugivore-folivore feeding tendency of the genus Alouatta. We provide information on the black howler monkey flexibility to live and maintain themselves in extreme perturbation conditions, where their habitat is 0.1 ha with few tree species to use, forcing individuals to move around the ground. Key words: Alouatta pigra, diet, pattern of activity, frugivory, fragmented habitat

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Population status and identification of potential habitats for the conservation of the Endangered black howler monkey Alouatta pigra in northern Chiapas, Mexico

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605310000025 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 44 (2) ◽

pp. 293-299 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Yadira M. Bonilla-Sánchez ◽

Juan Carlos Serio-Silva ◽

Gilberto Pozo-Montuy ◽

Nora Bynum

Keyword(s):

Adult Female ◽

Fragment Size ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Alouatta Pigra ◽

Geographical Information ◽

Howler Monkey ◽

Female Ratio ◽

Remnant Vegetation ◽

Black Howler Monkey ◽

Black Howler

AbstractIn the Mexican state of Chiapas the rainforest has been cleared, to make way for crops and extensive cattle ranching, at an annual rate of 12.4% since 2002. The conservation status of the Endangered black howler monkey Alouatta pigra in these fragmented landscapes in north-eastern Chiapas has not previously been examined. We therefore surveyed A. pigra populations in the municipality of Playas de Catazajá during 2004–2006 to obtain population and habitat data for this species in 115 fragments of remnant vegetation. A geographical information system was used to determine the variables (fragment size, and distances to the nearest fragment, human settlement and water body) that could be used to generate an index of habitat potential for A. pigra. We estimated a population of 659 individuals and a mean troop size of 5.0 ± SE 2.3. The adult male : female ratio was 1 : 1.4, the adult female : juvenile ratio 1 : 0.6 and adult female : immature ratio 1 : 0.8. The index of habitat potential indicates that 12% of the fragments have a high conservation potential for A. pigra. This index is a valuable tool for evaluating the conservation status of this species and its habitat, and can be expanded to include additional variables, thus allowing for a more comprehensive assessment.

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