Observations of termitarium geophagy by Rylands' bald-faced saki monkeys (Pithecia rylandsi) in Madre de Dios, Peru

Primates; Journal of Primatology
Dara B AdamsMrinalini Watsa

Abstract

Geophagy, or soil consumption, has been documented in diverse animal taxa, including many primates. Physiological functions such as mineral supplementation, detoxification of secondary compounds, and antacid properties are possible causes for this behavior. We report on observations of geophagy at arboreal termitaria by free-ranging Pithecia rylandsi at La Estación Biológica Los Amigos (EBLA) in Perú between 2008 and 2015. Characteristics of geophagy events, including saki monkey behavior at the termitaria, were recorded and geochemical analyses were conducted on consumed termitaria, nearby topsoils, and unvisited termitaria. We observed 76 feeding bouts at 26 different termitaria by two groups of P. rylandsi during 1125 observational hours (0.07 bouts/obs. h). Geophagy occurred throughout the year, but rates peaked in January during the rainy season. All age and sex classes visited both active and inactive mounds. Feeding bouts were brief (171 ± SD 154 s), and no differences were observed in time spent feeding at active or inactive termitaria. Analyses showed that consumed soils contained higher concentrations of phosphorous, potassium, calcium, and magnesium than did topsoil. Consumed soils also contained a higher total catio...Continue Reading

References

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Citations

Dec 7, 2018·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Paula A PebsworthSera L Young
May 16, 2019·American Journal of Primatology·Vernon ReynoldsCatherine Hobaiter

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Software Mentioned

SPSS
R

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