The Use of Fallback Foods in a Population of Black Handed Spider Monkeys at Runaway Creek Nature Reserve, Belize

Seasonal fluctuations in preferred food availability cause some non-human primate species to occasionally rely on less-preferred food types, called fallback foods. Periodic reliance on fallback foods has led, in some cases, to the evolution of morphological traits geared towards their exploitation. However, in species without these traits, fallback foods may instead beget behavioural modifications. Using 21 months of data, I analysed the use of fallback foods, and their behavioural consequences, in a population of highly frugivorous spider monkeys. Spider monkeys have previously been suggested to fall back on leaves, however I found that flowers, not leaves, were used as a fallback food. Seasonal reliance on flowers led to decreases in time spent travelling and increases in time spent feeding, as well as decreases in subgroup size. I interpreted these behaviours as an energy-minimizing strategy adopted to offset the low per-capita energy available in flowers as compared to fruit.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Anthropology

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Griffin, Neil

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Pavelka, Mary

• Physical

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/28409

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:11023/896