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Influence of the landscape matrix on the abundance of arboreal primates in fragmented landscapes

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Abstract

Composition of the landscape matrix of surrounding forest fragments is thought to be critically important to the survival of arboreal primates because it offers structures that help the animals move between fragments and other foraging sites. However, little is known about the composition of the matrix used by these animals. The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess the importance of the landscape matrix and its effects on primate abundance, using black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) living in a landscape fragmented by the expansion of agriculture and pastures for livestock in southeastern Mexico. In 2008, a complete census of the monkeys was carried out across the 2000-ha landscape matrix, and for every site where we observed monkeys, we recorded canopy height, tree basal area, food-source abundance, and distance to the nearest fragment. A total of 244 howler monkeys, distributed among 48 groups (including six solitary males) were counted in the matrix. Mean troop size was 5.6 ± 2.8 individuals, and the mode was three individuals. The highest number of troops and greatest howler monkey abundance were recorded in the isolated trees, the eucalyptus plantation, and orchards. A generalized linear model revealed that monkey abundance tended to be higher in matrix elements with higher canopy height, greater food availability, and closest to rainforest fragments. These results suggest that it is necessary to take into account the many elements of the landscape when drawing up conservation and habitat management plans, particularly in order to establish connectivity among the fragments and elements of the matrix with native trees.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the Mexican Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología for doctoral scholarships awarded to GPM and YMBS, and also thank Laura T. Hernández Salazar, Jorge Morales Mávil, and Julio C. Bicca-Marques for their advice throughout this study. Alberto Anzures-Dadda, Rafael A. Reyna Hurtado, Colin Chapman, and Randall Kyes and Bernal Robles Martinez offered helpful suggestions on the manuscript. Bianca Delfosse translated the text from the original in Spanish and made helpful suggestions. José Manuel García Magaña provided invaluable assistance during the field work.

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  1. Posgrado en Neuroetología, Instituto de Neuroetología, Universidad Veracruzana, Avenida Luis Castelazo Ayala s\n Col. Industrial Las Animas, 91190, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico

    Gilberto Pozo-Montuy & Yadira M. Bonilla-Sánchez

  2. Estación de Primatología y Vida Silvestre A.C., Balancán, Tabasco, Mexico

    Gilberto Pozo-Montuy, Juan Carlos Serio-Silva & Yadira M. Bonilla-Sánchez

  3. Red de Biología y Conservación de Vertebrados, Instituto de Ecología AC, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico

    Juan Carlos Serio-Silva

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  1. Gilberto Pozo-Montuy
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  2. Juan Carlos Serio-Silva
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  3. Yadira M. Bonilla-Sánchez
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Correspondence to Gilberto Pozo-Montuy.

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Pozo-Montuy, G., Serio-Silva, J.C. & Bonilla-Sánchez, Y.M. Influence of the landscape matrix on the abundance of arboreal primates in fragmented landscapes. Primates 52, 139–147 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-010-0231-5

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