The role of sex and age in the architecture of intrapopulation howler monkey-plant networks in continuous and fragmented rain forests.

ABSTRACT: We evaluated the structure of intrapopulation howler monkey-plant interactions by focusing on the plant species consumed by different sex and age classes in continuous and fragmented forests in southern Mexico. For this we used network analysis to evaluate the impact of fragmentation on howler population traits and on resource availability and food choice. A total of 37 tree and liana species and seven plant items (bark, immature fruits, flowers, mature fruits, immature leaves, mature leaves and petioles) were consumed, but their relative consumption varied according to sex and age classes and habitat type. Overall, adult females consumed the greatest number of plant species and items while infants and juveniles the lowest. For both continuous and fragmented forests, we found a nested diet

SUBMITTER: Benitez-Malvido J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4793308 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature