Ecology and Taxonomy of Ateles geoffroyi in Parque Nacional Pico Bonito, Atlántida, Honduras

Abstract

The first study on Ateles geoffroyi in Honduras, this research focused on the population of spider monkeys in Parque Nacional Pico Bonito, Atlántida, Honduras. Subgroup size of spider monkeys in Parque Nacional Pico Bonito ranged from 1-23 (n=55) individuals, with a mean subgroup size of 6.93 ± 4.53 individuals, which was larger than nearly all subgroup sizes reported in Central and South America. Mean subgroup composition consisted of 1.65 ± 1.16 adult males, 2.67 ± 1.69 adult females and 1.75 ± 1.92 juveniles. Sex ratio of adult males to adult females was 1:1.62, which was consistent with most Central and South American Ateles studies in the literature.¶ Of a possible 23 identified food tree species from 15 families, and 7 unidentified tree and vine species, spider monkeys were confirmed to consume fruits, leaves and/or seeds from 8 identified tree species, 1 unidentified tree species, and 1 unidentified vine species. Several of the confirmed genera consumed by Ateles in Parque Nacional Pico Bonito were consistent with other studies conducted in Central and South America, including Dialium, Ficus, and Coccoloba.¶ Combining pelage analysis and discriminant analysis of cranial and dental measurements from 140 skins and 253 adult crania, the taxonomy of the Central American Ateles geoffroyi was revised to recognize the taxa Ateles geoffroyi yucatanensis, A. g. vellerosus, A. g. pan, A. g. geoffroyi, A. g. frontatus, A. g. ornatus, and A. g. grisescens, with the recognition of a potential new taxon from northern Honduras, resulting in a revised distribution of Ateles geoffroyi, based on the pelage and cranial analyses.