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Franklin & Marshall College

Publication Date

Spring 2024

Program Name

Ecuador: Comparative Ecology and Conservation

Abstract

The Ecuadorian white-fronted capuchin, Cebus albifrons aequatorialis, is a critically endangered primate species native to Ecuador and northern Peru. Their population consists of only a handful of surviving troops spread out across this region. One surviving population exists in La Hesperia Cloud Forest Reserve in Ecuador. This reserve serves as an education and volunteer site for dozens of international travelers every year. I studied the effect of the presence of humans and the lodging they have constructed. Specifically, I investigated the effect on behavior of the proximity of the troops alpha male to manmade structures in the reserve. I found that the alpha was significantly more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviors when close to a structure. With 10.21% of all behaviors observed close to the structures being aggression, compared to only 0.39% in any other location. The reason for their tendency to travel within a close proximity to a structures is theorized to be for foraging needs, as foraging consisted of 41.53% of behaviors near structures and only 11.37% away from structures. This relationship is extremely concerning because acts of aggression in primates are known to increase the individual's stress levels. Elevated stress levels can have a plethora of negative health effects and decrease an individual's net fitness. For a species so critically endangered the utmost care must be taken with surviving members of the species. With the results from my study I recommend attempting to reduce the potential contact with the troop in locations with a structure by removing all possible foraging sites within 25 meters.

Disciplines

Animal Studies | Biodiversity | Environmental Education | Environmental Studies | Forest Management | Zoology

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