Wood Consumption by Spider Monkeys and Its Role in Mineral Supplementation
Author Information
Author(s): Chaves Oscar M., Stoner Kathryn E., Ángeles-Campos Sergio, Arroyo-Rodríguez Víctor
Primary Institution: Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Hypothesis
Wood consumption by spider monkeys is related to mineral supplementation.
Conclusion
Wood from decaying trees provides important minerals like sodium and calcium in the diet of spider monkeys.
Supporting Evidence
- Wood consumption was similar in continuous and fragmented forests.
- Decayed wood showed higher levels of sodium and calcium compared to fruits.
- Females consumed more wood than males, suggesting higher mineral needs.
Takeaway
Spider monkeys eat wood to get important minerals that are hard to find in their usual food, like fruits.
Methodology
The study involved observing spider monkeys' feeding behavior over 15 months in continuous and fragmented forests, focusing on their consumption of live and decayed wood.
Limitations
Nutritional analyses were limited to a small number of fruit species, and individual mineral intake was not measured.
Participant Demographics
Spider monkey communities in Lacandona, Mexico, with sizes ranging from 35 to 44 individuals.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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