Patterns of Foraging and Range Use by Three Species of Neotropical Primates

Abstract

This paper describes the diet and range use patterns of the three species of primates in Santa Rosa National Park, Costa Rica (Ateles geoffroyi, Alouatta palliata, and Ce bus capucinus) and examines the variation in these variables as they relate to seasonal changes and concomitant changes in food availability. These three primate species were studied over a four-year period for a total of 24 months in the field. Santa Rosa National Park is in an area that experiences a long severe dry season in which little ¡f any rain falls and the majority of the non-riparian trees lose their leaves. However, even though the three species were very flexible in terms of diet and range use, the behav- ioural variability did not correspond to changes in food availability or season.