Primate Diet and Biomass in Relation to Vegetation Composition and Fruiting Phenology in a Rain Forest in Gabon

摘要: To test the hypothesis that primate populations are limited by food resources, we studied feeding ecology of three cercopithecines and one colobine in a rain forest central Gabon. Simultaneously, monitored fruiting phenology trees estimated biomass monkey community. The Makande Forest is dominated Caesalpiniaceae characterized lack secondary vegetation species producing fleshy fruits. Fruit production was irregular intra- interannually. Fruiting peaks dry fruits (mainly Caesalpiniaceae) occurred at same period. However, interseasonal interannual variability greater than other families. As result, subject to bottlenecks when scarce. On an annual basis, seeds (primarily diet all monkeys. seasonal preferentially consumed as long they were available, whereas colobines increased consumption young leaves seed availability declined. mature low. community (ca. 204 kg/km2) lowest Central Africa. We suggest both cercopithecine result combined effect dominance Caesalpiniaceae, which provide according mast-fruiting pattern low quality, seral successional stages, fruit on more regular better quality. During period scarcity, should suffer from fruit, their favorite food. At period, be edible leaves. Similar biomasses found forests or Lecythidaceae South America Dipterocarpaceae Asia, suggests biological characteristics, particular mast fruiting, unfavorable populations. Our results confirm habitat mosaics may support larger primary consumers homogeneous can.