Diet of a free-ranging group of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) in eastern Brazilian Amazonia.
The feeding behaviour of free-ranging Saimiri sciureus was monitored over a 6-month period in eastern Brazilian Amazonia. Behavioural data were collected in scan samples (7-9 days per month), and fruit and arthropod availability were recorded monthly. A total of 3,546 feeding records were collected, divided between reproductive plant parts (55.1%) and arthropods (44.9%). The majority of identified prey were orthopterans and lepidopterans, and 10 of the 23 plant species exploited were Leguminosae and Sapotaceae. The diet varied progressively between August (20.0% plant, 80.0% animal) and January (79.7% plant, 20.3% animal). This shift accompanied an increase in the number of fruiting trees and evidence of declining arthropod availability. This included a marked reduction in foraging success and increasing consumption of immature prey. Overall, the data indicate that Amazonian squirrel monkeys may be relatively frugivorous during periods when prey is scarce.
Lima
Eldianne M
EM
Departamente de Psicologia Experimental, Universidade Federal do Pará, Ciaxa Postal 8607, 66.075-900 Belém, Brazil. eldianne@bol.com.br
Ferrari
Stephen F
SF
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001181:Arthropods / Q000145:classification; D001938:Brazil; D004032:Diet; D017753:Ecosystem; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D008297:Male; D010944:Plants; D012453:Saimiri / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons