The Influence of Edge Effects on Mantled Howler Monkey (Alouatta palliata) Food Resource Use and Availability in a Fragmented Forest

Three-quarters of primate species are seeing habitat-related population declines, and nearly half of tropical forest area is in fragmented landscape. Previous research revealed challenges for mantled howler monkeys in rainforest fragments, including local extirpations. This study sought to deepen understanding of mantled howler monkey ecology in fragments by comparing food resource use and availability in edge and core zones. Mantled howler monkeys were observed at the La Suerte Biological Field Station in Costa Rica from May to August 2017 using a focal animal point sampling method incorporating food resource identifications. Habitat quality was assessed through vegetation survey plots investigating species richness, tree density, tree maturity, and canopy connectivity in edge and core zones. Time spent feeding and characteristics of feeding trees did not significantly vary in edge and core, however, forest density and canopy connectivity differences in edge and core were observed.