Abstract:
We assessed how habitat use and preference in the endemic, and Critically Endangered, yellow-tailed woolly monkey (Lagothrix flavicauda) are linked to forest structure and composition. The study took place in the community of Yambrasbamba in Northeastern Peru. Very little is known about the spatial distribution and habitat preference of L. flavicauda. Our objective is to identify and highlight the characteristics of habitats most utilized by L. flavicauda in order to contribute to its conservation by providing information that will be useful for the selection of priority sites for habitat protection, and to improve habitat quality. The study site was classified into three different use zones, high, medium, and low use, according to the number of presence records collected from May 2013 to February 2014 for one group of L. flavicauda. Forest structure and composition were assessed for all use classes using the Gentry vegetation transects methodology. Results show great variation in species composition across the three use zones. Food plants have, predominately, greater density, dominance and ecological importance in high use zones. Use zones presented similar forest structure, a reverse J-shape diameter distribution. None of the structural variables analyzed seem to be related to preference in L. flavicauda.
