Influence of topography gradient and seasonality on primate habitat use in Central Amazonia

Abstract

Habitat use is a dynamic process that varies spatially and temporally. Such variations can be associated with environmental heterogeneity and seasonal fluctuations in food availability. We investigated the habitat use of three sympatric Amazonian primates (Humboldt’s cuxiu—Chiropotes sagulatus, pied tamarin—Saguinus bicolor, and tufted capuchin monkey—Sapajus apella) along a topographic gradient and across two seasons with contrasting food resource availability. Through sampling conducted along linear transects, in an area covering 25 km2 of continuous dense rainforest in central Amazonian Brazil, we obtained 137 primate records with 420 km of sampling effort. Although the slope of the terrain used did not differ between seasons, the distribution of two primate species with contrasting food habits (Humboldt’s cuxiu and tufted capuchin monkey) was mediated by terrain elevation during the period of lower fruit availability (dry season). Tufted capuchins monkey and Humboldt’s cuxiu appeared to segregate by elevation when resources were scarcer, with the capuchins using areas between lowland valley and intermediate elevations, and cuxius using high plateaus. Our study suggests that sympatric primate species from a central Amazonian rainforest use the topographic gradient differently, and their habitat use is, at least in part, influenced by seasonality.