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Density estimates of Panamanian owl monkeys ( Aotus zonalis ) in three habitat types
Author(s) -
Svensson Magdalena S.,
Samudio Rafael,
Bearder Simon K.,
Nekaris K. AnneIsola
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
american journal of primatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.988
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1098-2345
pISSN - 0275-2565
DOI - 10.1002/ajp.20758
Subject(s) - national park , transect , geography , abundance (ecology) , habitat , ecology , population , conservation status , population density , biology , archaeology , demography , sociology
The resolution of the ambiguity surrounding the taxonomy of Aotus means data on newly classified species are urgently needed for conservation efforts. We conducted a study on the Panamanian owl monkey ( Aotus zonalis ) between May and July 2008 at three localities in Chagres National Park, located east of the Panama Canal, using the line transect method to quantify abundance and distribution. Vegetation surveys were also conducted to provide a baseline quantification of the three habitat types. We observed 33 individuals within 16 groups in two out of the three sites. Population density was highest in Campo Chagres with 19.7 individuals/km 2 and intermediate densities of 14.3 individuals/km 2 were observed at Cerro Azul. In la Llana A . zonalis was not found to be present. The presence of A . zonalis in Chagres National Park, albeit at seemingly low abundance, is encouraging. A longer‐term study will be necessary to validate the further abundance estimates gained in this pilot study in order to make conservation policy decisions. Am. J. Primatol. 72:187–192, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.