Distribuição espacial e composição social de grupos de bugios-ruivos (Alouatta guariba clamitans) em fragmentos florestais no sul do brasil

Abstract

Brown howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans) are primates endemic to the Atlantic Forest that can tolerate major changes in habitat, allowing them to occupy small fragments of forest close to urban areas, as found in the extreme south of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. However, anthropogenic pressures are intensifying, especially in unprotected areas, putting at risk both the well-being of these primates and the long-term persistence of populations. Based on this situation, we analyzed the spatial distribution and sex-age composition of groups of howler monkeys, in order to evalu- ate the social structure of the groups in comparison to the features of the landscape in which these groups are inserted. Eight groups of howler monkeys were identified. Among these, three were monitored over a year, during which changes in sex-age composition were observed, including records of accidents and deaths. Of the eight groups mapped, four of them used forest fragments inserted in a landscape with a high number of elements of urban structure and low rates of forest cover. The other groups use the interior of the Lami José Lutzenberger Biological Reserve and surroundings with a predominantly rural matrix and less anthropic interference. The analyses allowed us to identify if the groups are persisting in the fragmented environment and which ones are in a more critical situation in relation to the habitat qual- ity. These results help define conservation strategies that aim to minimize conflicts with howler monkeys, increase the persistence of groups and reduce the impacts of forest fragmentation in their habitat.