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Foraging strategies by one provisioned group of brown capuchin (Cebus apella) in Tinigua National park. In Spanish

TitleForaging strategies by one provisioned group of brown capuchin (Cebus apella) in Tinigua National park. In Spanish
Publication TypeBook Chapter
Year of Publication2003
AuthorsGómez-Posada C
Book TitlePrimatology of New World: biology, medicine, management, and conservation
Pagination136-146
PublisherAraguatos Primatological Center
CityBogota
ISBN958-33-4553-9
Abstract

A group of Cebus apella that had been receiving food for many years was intensively studied during six months in a primary forest in Colombia. Scan sampling was used and 921 effective observational hours were completed . The group displayed different feeding patterns, diet and home range in response to fruit availability in the forest. The results suggest that this group is a “time minimizer”. When fruit was scarce they limited their daily movements (1152 m), home range (75 ha) and foraging activity, focusing on artificial food sources. They increased their insect consumption, rest periods and social interactions. When fruit was abundant, the artificial food source lost importance, the group decreased the duration of visit to the provisioning site and preferred the fruit patch in the forest. The daily traveling distance (>1700 m), home range (>117 ha) and foraging and movement activity increased.