Article
A Preliminary Study of Mantled Howling Monkey (Alouatta Palliata) Ecology and Conservation on Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua
Neotropical Primates
(1999)
Abstract
In this paper we examine the ecology and conservation status
of mantled howling monkeys (Alouatta palliata) on Isla de
Ometepe, Nicaragua (Fig. 1 ). Ometepe (11°40'N and 85°50'W)
is a volcanic island located within the southeastern edge of
Lake Nicaragua. It is the largest island in the world (276 km2)
situated in a fresh water lake, and is characterized by zones of
dry deciduous forest, cloud forest, forest-shaded coffee
plantations, agricultural fields, and other areas cleared for
human use. Human impact has been most severe in zones
between the lake and the foothills of the volcanoes. The cloud
forest that covers the slopes of the volcanoes is characterized
by abrupt changes in elevation and habitat, and remains
relatively undisturbed. Two volcanoes dominate the island.
Concepcion, the tallest, is active and rises to a height of 1,610
m. Maderas, the other volcano is dormant and measures 1,394
m at its summit (Salas Estrada, 1993). It is estimated that
Ometepe has been separated from the mainland for
approximately 10,000 years (Gillespie,1994), however, little is
known concerning when nonhuman primates first arrived on
the island, and the degree to which howling monkey
populations on Ometepe differ genetically, behaviorally, or
ecologically from howling monkey populations in other regions
of the Neotropics. White-faced capuchins (Ce bus capucinus)
also occur naturally on the island.
Disciplines
Publication Date
December, 1999
Publisher Statement
Copyright 1999 IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group
Citation Information
P.A. Garber, Jill D. Pruetz, A.C. Lavallee and S.G. Lavallee. "A Preliminary Study of Mantled Howling Monkey (Alouatta Palliata) Ecology and Conservation on Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua" Neotropical Primates Vol. 7 Iss. 4 (1999) p. 113 - 117 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jill-pruetz/19/