Tracking neotropical Monkeys in Santa Rosa: Lessons from a regenerating Costa Rican dry forest

Abstract

The Santa Rosa primate project began in 1983 and we have studied the behavioral ecology of the resident primate species (Cebus capucinus, Alouatta palliata and Ateles geoffroyi) continuously since then. Most of our research has concentrated on the behavior, ecology, and life history of multiple groups of capuchins and on documenting the effects of forest protection and regeneration on the howler and capuchin populations. Our examination of capuchin life histories has shown that they lead complex and intriguing lives, many aspects of which are affected by the frequent movement of adult males between social groups throughout the course of their lives. Over the past 28 years, we have documented increases in both the capuchin and howler populations. However, the howler population apparently reached carrying capacity in 1999, whereas the capuchin population continues to grow, probably because of their ability to occupy early-regeneration habitats. Our long-term examination of the population structure and life history of these two species clearly demonstrate that many species-specific aspects of biology and behavioral ecology differentially influence patterns of primate population recovery. It is only after decades of research that we can begin to understand the underlying constraints and variability in the lives of these animals.