Abundância, densidade e efeitos da estrutura da floresta sobre uma comunidade de primatas na fazenda experimental da UFAM, Amazônia Central

Abstract

Several factors may influence the abundance and density of primate species, mainly those related to forest structure, such as the availability of resources. This study aimed to determine the abundance and density of primate species and their relationships with environmental characteristics and seasonality at Fazenda Experimental da UFAM, Central Amazonia. Diurnal censuses were conducted on 27 1-km transects between November 2011 and October 2012. Data from five components of forest structure were collected in this study: (1) number of trees, (2) number of palms, (3) canopy opening, (4) vertical stratification and (5) fruit availability, measured in 5 plots of 100 m2 located in each transect. We detected seven primate species in 189 km traveled. The estimated density of FAEXP groups were considered intermediate (4.9 groups per km2) than the areas studied and relatively close to the study area. Sighting rates observed in the present study were similar to other areas in the Amazon. Sapajus apella showed the highest rates of sighting and density. The forest structure affected the abundance of two species: Sapajus apella showed a positive association with fruit availability and negatively with the number of palm trees, while Chiropotes chiropotes showed negative relationship with stratification and positively with the number of palm trees. There was no seasonal variation in species abundance, and marginally significant for Pithecia pithecia. The variability on the density of primates found at the study site can be linked to the species biological characteristics, mainly related to the use of food resources.