Use of Alternative Plant Resources by Common Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) in the Semi-Arid Caatinga Scrub Forests of Northeastern Brazil

摘要: The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is amply distributed in the Brazilian Northeast, but little known of its ecology semi-arid Caatinga scrublands. present study provides first detailed data on composition diet C. jacchus ecosystems, derived from observations at four sites state Sergipe. While exudate sources were gouged all a manner typical species, fruit was principal component main site during most months, and number unusual items eaten, including leaves, reproductive parts cacti bromeliads. These plants are rarely recorded diets, caatinga habitats. Leaves ingested 5 8 months monitored site, reaching 39.74% 1 month, appeared to be an alternative fallback food plant exudates periods when scarce. Three species cactus provided both flowers fruits, while terrestrial bromeliad, Encholirium spectabile, nectar (30.81% November). Approximately half (and three families) identified this had not been previously Callithrix. Overall, suggest that, marmosets exploit same types foods Caatinga, resource base quite distinct that Atlantic Forest. Other differences, such as relatively small groups large home ranges, may contribute divergent ecological patterns, which require more systematic investigation. Am. J. Primatol. 75:333-341, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.