Área e uso do espaço de Saguinus bicolor (Primates: Callitrichidae)

Abstract

Several studies indicate that the daily paths of primates groups are associated to places with presence of available food sources. The purpose of this study is to assess the patterns of size of home range and space use for Saguinus bicolor. A total of six groups were captured and monitored from 8 to 10 full days. For all groups were estimated the range of use through the ArcGis ® program with extension Animal Movements Analysis selecting the Minimum Convex Polygon function (MCP). For space use pattern, were used the method of regular square grid (50x50m) through the Quantum GIS Program 1.8 that allows you to create a grid on the total distribution of vector points. This, was used to create eight plots (50x50m) were mounted on the sites with high (HIU) and low intensity of use (LIU) of each group. In these plots, floristic surveys were carried out quantitative and qualitative information logging of trees with fruit. With these data were able to compare diversity and abundance within and among the areas occupied by the groups. The groups showed significant variation in the total home range size each other (H = 36.7; p = 0.001) and the displacement is related to the average size of the used area (R2 = 0.85; p = 0.006). Significant differences were found in the number of fruiting trees (t = 3.34; p = 0:02), trees with available fruit (t = 4.151, p = 0.008) and number of fruiting species (t = 4:33; p = 0.007) between areas of AIU and BIU. Despite the use of groups using area with approximate size, there was great variation between the size of the area and displacement per day, reflecting behavior of natural area of use of the groups. Overall, S. bicolor groups exploit similarly area, staying most of the time in places with greater availability and variety of fruits, indicating that this primate has conservative behavior in the use of habitat by investing time in places with recognized aggregation dietary sources.