Using local ecological knowledge to access the distribution of the Endangered Caatinga howler monkey (Alouatta ululata)

Abstract

A lack of basic knowledge about the Endangered Caatinga howler monkey (Alouatta ululata) in Northeastern Brazil makes it difficult to design and implement effective conservation strategies. Traditional or Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) has contributed to the development of conservation strategies for many species, including primates. Thus, we aimed to improve our understanding of the geographic range of Caatinga howler monkey, collect LEK on the species, and understand how people interact with these howlers to help future conservation efforts. We conducted semistructured interviews with members of local communities in two regions within the currently known distribution range of the species. We constructed maps based on the information currently available in the literature and on the data obtained through our interviews. Through LEK, we identified new areas of occurrence for Caatinga howler monkeys, increasing the species' range in a Northeastern direction in the state of Ceará. Gross domestic product (GDP) and population size were inversely related to the amount of knowledge that the local human population showed about the Caatinga howler monkeys, indicating that local wealth influences in the amount of LEK. Despite a positive attitude towards Caatinga howler monkeys in both regions (i.e. howlers were not killed in retaliation for cropfeeding and locals found their vocalizations pleasant), we identified poaching and medicinal uses of the species. Our data demonstrated that the range of Caatinga howler monkeys was larger than previously recorded and also that local knowledge was crucial for triangulating the species location.