Sleeping site selection by golden-backed uacaris, Cacajao melanocephalus ouakary (Pitheciidae), in Amazonian flooded forests

Abstract

In Amazonian seasonally flooded forest (igapó), golden-backed uacaris, Cacajao melanocephalus ouakary, show high selectivity for sleeping trees. Of 89 tree species in igapó, only 16 were used for sleeping (18%). Hydrochorea marginata (Fabaceae) and Ormosia paraensis (Fabaceae) were used most frequently (41% of records) despite being uncommon (Ivlev electivity ratios were 0. 76, and 0. 84, respectively), though the third most commonly used species (11%), Amanoa oblongifolia (Euphorbiaceae), was selected at near parity. All three species have broad, open canopies with large horizontal limbs and uncluttered interiors. Compared with random trees, sleeping trees had above average diameter at breast height (DBH) and height, lacked lianas and wasp nests, and were more frequently within 5 m of open water. Uacaris generally slept one adult per tree or widely separated in the same canopy and on the outer third of the branch. These behaviours are interpreted as maximising detection of both aerial and arboreal predators. © 2012 Japan Monkey Centre and Springer.