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Density of marmosets in highly urbanised areas and the positive effect of arboreous vegetation

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Abstract

City life is harsh and inhospitable for many animal species, particularly for non-volant mammals that face increased mortality risks in urban settings. Yet, studies on non-volant city mammals are limited and mostly restricted to temperate regions. Here, I evaluated the density and adaptability of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a species with a series of advantageous pre-adaptations that could facilitate city life, in highly built up urban environments of a tropical city Joao Pessoa (>800,000 people), in NE Brazil. I surveyed a total of 56 streets from seven randomly chosen districts within the city. I used multiple linear regression to determine the factors that could influence marmoset abundance. I found a total of 53 tree species of which half could be used as food resources. To reach food resources marmosets moved along and crossed streets using insulated power lines and phone cables. Marmoset density (66.9 ind/km2) was significantly low compared to populations inhabiting forest remnants. Nevertheless, along streets with high canopy cover, their density was similar to that reported for forest fragments. Canopy cover and trees providing food resources were key predictors of marmoset abundance. The presence of an exotic tree species (Terminalia catappa) that provides gum, showed to be key for groups persisting in extremely urbanized areas. Planting more of this species and increasing connectivity between forested areas are management strategies that might help long term persistence of marmosets in highly built up areas. Marmosets are common in Brazilian cities and could provide opportunities for contact with nature and increased well-being of human urban dwellers.

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Acknowledgements

My warmest thanks to Dr. Lauren Schroeder (intrepid BioAnthropologist at UTM) for the suggestions and for reviewing the English. I also thank two anonymous reviewers for their comments.

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  1. Departamento de Engenharia e Meio Ambiente, Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Rio Tinto, Brazil

    Antonio C. de Andrade

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Correspondence to Antonio C. de Andrade.

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de Andrade, A.C. Density of marmosets in highly urbanised areas and the positive effect of arboreous vegetation. Urban Ecosyst 25, 101–109 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-021-01131-5

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