Reconocimiento de la población del mono aullador negro (Alouatta pigra) en Palenque, Chiapas, México

Abstract

A survey of the population of the black howler monkey (A. pigra) present at the Mayan site of Palenque was conducted during three visits between January and May of 2000. We detected the presence of 99 individuais in 13 troops and the possible existence of 3-5 additional groups. Ecological density was estimated at 33 individuals/km² . Mean troop size was 7.6, ranging from 2-13. All sightings of howler monkeys were in evergreen rain forest and in trees >20 m in height. The reported densities and mean troop size are higher than those reported for the species in Guatemala, Belize and in central Quintana Roo, Mexico, and the majority (70%) of the troops in Palenque were multimale. Protection of a large perimeter area (c. 1700 ha) around the archeological site by the Mexican government ensures the conservation of the forest and of the black howler monkey population present at the site.