Caminhos na floresta: a área de vida de macacos-pregos-galegos (Sapajus flavius) em um fragmento Mata Atlântica no Nordeste brasileiro

Abstract

The Atlantic Forest, one of the most biodiverse biomes on the planet, faces intense fragmentation, posing significant risks to species, particularly arboreal primates such as the blond capuchin monkey (Sapajus flavius), a species threatened with extinction. This study investigated space use by a group of approximately 90 individuals inhabiting a 270-hectare fragment of Atlantic Forest in Caaporã, PB, northeastern Brazil. The research is based on a dataset collected from 2014 to 2023 by the research group, comprising 39 months of complete data, including information on animal behaviors and locations, as well as monthly fruit and insect productivity within the fragment. A total of 26,243 GPS points were used to calculate the total home range (ADT) and the core area (AN) through kernel density estimation, as well as the total area using the minimum convex polygon (MPC). Monthly variations in the group’s space use were analyzed. We investigated the hypothesis that space use is influenced by food availability and temperature. The following predictions were tested: P1 - Due to low food availability in the area, the monkeys adopt an energy-minimizing strategy, reducing their total home range and altering their diet to alternative items during months of lower fruit productivity. P2 - In months with higher temperatures, the group will traverse smaller areas (smaller ADT, MPC, and AN) to avoid overheating. Results showed that the total home range covered up to 100% of the monitored area, while the core area comprised only 15%, indicating spatial limitations and a low proportion of preferred locations within the fragment. Two distinct seasons were identified: February and March as high-productivity months and the rest of the year as low productivity in terms of fruit availability. A significant negative relationship was found between the Fruit Availability Index (FAI) and ADT, suggesting that blond capuchins adopt an energy-minimizing strategy. Minimum temperature showed marginally significant effects on MPC, ADT, and AN, though in the opposite direction of the prediction, with minimum temperature positively correlated with these spatial indicators. Given that total home range is a critical indicator of habitat suitability for these animals, and considering that blond capuchins are one of the few medium-sized species capable of large-seeded fruit dispersal, understanding the factors guiding foraging strategies and their consequences is essential for management, particularly in fragmented areas.