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Northern Muriqui Monkeys: Behavior , Demography , and Conservation

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Primates and Cetaceans

Part of the book series: Primatology Monographs ((PrimMono))

Abstract

The northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus ) is a critically endangered primate species, endemic to the Atlantic forest of southeastern Brazil. Long-term data from one of the largest populations, which inhabits the 957-ha forest at the RPPN Feliciano Miguel Abdala in Caratinga, Minas Gerais, provides insights into the dynamics between behavior, demography, and conservation. With some 328 individuals as of June 2012, this population has quintupled since systematic monitoring began in 1982, and it now represents roughly 33 % of the species. This rapid expansion can be attributed to female-biased infant sex ratios and high survivorship during the first two decades of research. However, male-biased infant sex ratios , compounded by reduced survivorship among dispersing females compared to patrilocal males, have been documented in recent years. The adult sex ratio is projected to become increasingly male biased as these cohorts mature, and the population growth rate is expected to decline. Moreover, demographic fluctuations are expected to affect males and females differently because of sex differences in dispersal patterns and social dynamics. Specifically, the strong affiliative relationships that have persisted among philopatric males are predicted to be sensitive to increases in both the absolute and relative number of adult males, resulting in higher levels of male competition and possible disruptions in male social networks. This case study illustrates the importance of long-term behavioral data for estimating population viabilities and identifying conservation priorities for this and other critically endangered species.

figure a

Northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus) mother and infant at the RPPN Feliciano Miguel Abdala. (Photograph by Fernanda P. Tabacow)

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Acknowledgments

I thank the editors, J. Yamagiwa and L. Karczmarski, for inviting me to contribute to their volume, CNPq and the Abdalla family for permission to conduct research at the RPPN-FMA, Preserve Muriqui and CI-Brasil for logistical support in the field, and S.L. Mendes for his long-term collaboration on the project. The field study has been supported by a variety of sources, including the National Science Foundation (BNS 8305322, BCS 8619442, BCS 8958298, BCS 9414129, BCS 0621788, BCS 0921013), National Geographic Society, the Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation, Fulbright Foundation, Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid, Grant #213 from the Joseph Henry Fund of the NAS, World Wildlife Fund, L.S.B. Leakey Foundation, Chicago Zoological Society, Lincoln Park Zoo Neotropic Fund, Center for Research on Endangered Species (CRES), Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation, Conservation International, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and CNPq-Brazilian National Research Council. This research has complied with all U.S. and Brazilian regulations. I also thank the many people who have contributed to the long-term demographic data records from 1983 to 2012 (in alphabetical order): L. Arnedo, M.L. Assunção, N. Bejar, J.P. Boubli, P.S. Campos, T. Cardoso, A. Carvalho, D. Carvalho, C. Cäsar, A.Z. Coli, C.G. Costa, P. Coutinho, L. Dib, Leonardo G. Dias, Luiz G. Dias, D.S. Ferraz, A. Ferreira, F. Fernandez, J. Fidelis, A.R.G. Freire Filho, J. Gomes, D. Guedes, V.O. Guimarães, R. Hack, M.F. Iurck, M. Kaizer, M. Lima, M. Maciel, I.I. Martins, W.P. Martins, F.D.C. Mendes, I.M. Mourthé, F. Neri, M. Nery, S. Neto, C.P. Nogueria, A. Odalia Rímoli, A. Oliva, L. Oliveira, F.P. Paim, C.B. Possamai, R.C. Printes, J. Rímoli, S.S. Rocha, R.C. Romanini, R.R. dos Santos, M. Schultz, B.G.M. da Silva, J.C. da Silva, A.B. Siqueira de Morais, V. Souza, D.V. Slomp, F.P. Tabacow, W. Teixeira, M. Tokudo, K. Tolentino, and E.M. Veado.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1180 Observatory Drive Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA

    Karen B. Strier

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  1. Karen B. Strier
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Correspondence to Karen B. Strier .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Science Laboratory of Human Evolution Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

    Juichi Yamagiwa

  2. The Swire Institute of Marine Science School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Shek O, Hong Kong SAR

    Leszek Karczmarski

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Strier, K.B. (2014). Northern Muriqui Monkeys: Behavior , Demography , and Conservation . In: Yamagiwa, J., Karczmarski, L. (eds) Primates and Cetaceans. Primatology Monographs. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54523-1_12

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