Dissertação apresentada ao Colegiado do Programa de Pós ...

Ana Paula Cardoso Prado Pereira. Feeding Ecology of Cuxiú-Preto (Chiropotes satanas
satanas) at Fazenda Amanda, Pará. Belém, Pará, 2002. 65 pages. Master’s Degree
Dissertation. Universidade Federal do Pará. Programa de Pós- Graduação em Teoria e
Pesquisa do Comportamento.
ABSTRACT
Bearded sakis (Chiropotes spp.) are medium-sized Neotropical primates of the family
Pitheciidae, frugivores specialised for seed predation. The southern bearded saki,
Chiropotes satanas satanas, is the only pitheciid found in eastern Amazonia, and is
considered to be one of the most endangered primates in Brazilian Amazonia. The main
objective of this study was to characterise the feeding ecology of C.s. satanas in a
fragment of primary forest on Fazenda Amanda, in the municipality of Viseu, in the
northeast of the Brazilian state of Pará, in order to obtain data relevant to the saki’s
conservation. The study was carried out between January and July 2000. Four types of
research were conducted: a survey of mammal populations; monitoring of the availability
of plant food resources (phenology); collection of quantitative behavioural data on the
sakis and interviews with local residents. The 180 km line transect survey recorded the
presence of six species of primate, and a further 22 species of mammal. The results
indicate that sakis were relatively abundant at the study site in comparison with other
localities in the region, although the determining factors remain unclear. The results of the
phenological study reveal some seasonal variation in the availability of reproductive parts
of different plant species, but little functional variation in the availability of resources for
the sakis. The study subjects exhibited typical saki behaviour patterns, with a fluid social
organisation (fission-fusion) and a diet rich in fruits and seeds (both ripe and unripe). As at
other sites, species of the families Lecythidaceae and Sapotaceae predominated in the diet,
although new taxa, including a family (Ebenaceae) were recorded. The information
supplied by interviewees indicate that, while hunting is a common activity in the area, the
sakis are currently under no hunting pressure, which may explain, at least partially, their
relative abundance at the site. Despite the present situation at Fazenda Amanda, the recent
history of habitat fragmentation and the growing pressure from the local human population
suggest that the management of its populations of sakis and other mammals will depend on
the implementation of a series of practical measures, in particular the stimulation of
environmental consciousness in local residents and landowners.
Key words: Feeding ecology, conservation, management.
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