Alouatta caraya, Relations among habitat, density and social organization.

ZUNINO, GABRIEL E; GONZALEZ, VIRIDIANA; KOWALEWSKI, M MARTIN; BRAVO, SUSANA P.

Primate Report

German Primate Center

Lugar: Goettingen, Germany; Año: 2001 vol. 61 p. 37 - 46

0343-3528

Studies performed in northern Argentina have revealed the existence of important differences in density and social organization of the black and gold howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) in different types of habitats. The floristic composition, availability of resources, and characteristics of the population of howlers in five sites in the northeast of Argentina were comparatively analyzed. Multivariate analyses indicated the existence of unique characteristics of the vegetation in each site. Results showed marked differences in density and group size among populations of howlers, but constancy was observed in the ratio of adult females to adult males. The density and group size of howlers and the density of fruiting trees showed a positive correlation. Results obtained suggest that density and group size in howlers increase in relatively less diverse habitats with a high availability of high quality foods.