Title
Feeding ecology of the black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra) in northern Belize
Author(s)
Silver S.C., Ostro L.E.T., Yeager C.P., Horwich R.
Published
1998
Publisher
American Journal of Primatology
Abstract
We studied the feeding ecology of the black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra) from March 1994 to April 1995 in the Community Baboon Sanctuary in northern Belize, Central America. Activity and diet composition were recorded using continuous focal animal sampling. Diet composition was compared with the relative abundance of plant parts eaten by the howlers within the study site. The study animals spent an average of 24.4% of their time feeding, 61.9% resting, and approximately 9.8% traveling. In contrast to previously published reports on A. pigra, we found the diet composition to be similar to that of other Alouatta species (conforming to the folivore/frugivore profile), with 41% of feeding time spent eating fruit, 45% foliage, and 11% flowers. This contrast may indicate a wide degree of dietary flexibility that allows A. pigra to inhabit a variety of habitat types. We suggest that a high level of resource abundance throughout the year makes the Community Baboon Sanctuary excellent habitat for Alouatta pigra.
Keywords
diet; feeding behaviour; primate; resource abundance; Alouatta; animal; article; Belize; catering service; climate; diet; ecology; feeding behavior; psychological aspect; season; Alouatta; Animals; Belize; Climate; Diet; Ecology; Feeding Behavior; Food Supply; Seasons; Belize

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PUB12866