A critically-endangered capuchin (Sapajus apella margaritae) living in mountain forest fragments on isla de margarita, Venezuela

Abstract

There are currently only two islands in the Caribbean that harbour Neotropical primates, Isla de Margarita with an endemic capuchin Sapajus apella margaritae; and Trinidad with two endemic monkeys Cebus albifrons trinitatis and Alouatta seniculus insulanus and the recently introduced brown capuchin Sapajus apella. These Caribbean monkeys live in habitat islands surrounded by towns, agricultural areas and roads, and their main threats are habitat fragmentation and hunting. In this case study, conducted on a fragment scale on Isla de Margarita, we report on the Margarita capuchin distribution and encounter rates of monkey groups and signs, as well the location of introduced primates in the Margarita capuchin habitat. We conducted reconnaissance surveys and interviews with local people and hunters. Line-transect surveys by distance sampling were carried out in the forest fragments where capuchins were found. Margarita capuchins live in four forest fragments; two of them are protected areas. The abundance of introduced howler monkeys and wedge-capped capuchins in the mountains could not be quantified and it is assumed they are likely to be low, but generates concern about resource competition, disease transmission and hybridisation. Capuchins on Isla de Margarita seem to prefer the evergreen forest when this is available, but they also live in a forest fragment entirely covered by dry vegetation. Corridors have been proposed to increase the capacity of dispersal of primates among forest fragments as an important factor for their longterm survival on the Island.