Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Cougar Predation on Black-and-Gold Howlers on Mutum Island, Southern Brazil1

  • Published:
International Journal of Primatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Researchers consider predation rates by terrestrial animals to be lower in the case of arboreal primates, particularly among large-bodied species. We recorded the consumption of black-and-gold howlers (Alouatta caraya) by cougars (Puma concolor) as evidence of predation on an island of the upper Paraná River. We collected and processed fecal samples of the felid in 2004 and 2005. We identified items in the laboratory by comparison with museum specimens. We considered each species in a fecal sample as a single occurrence. Based on analysis of the cuticle scale pattern, we identified the felid as cougar. Howlers occurred in 4 out of the 8 fecal samples (40% of the occurrences). In addition to howlers, we also recorded 5 occurrences of agouti (Dasyprocta azarae; 50%) and a small unidentified sigmodontine rodent (10%). The abundance of howlers and the low forest canopy in a successional vegetation might have facilitated the predation of the large primates by a primarily terrestrial predator. The versatility of cougars is corroborated by the consumption of prey species that were abundant in the region and that were available in different forest strata, such as howlers and agoutis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Aguiar, L. M., Ludwig, G., Svoboda, W. K., Teixeira, G. M., Hilst, C. L. S., Shiozawa, M. M., Malanski, L. S., Mello, A. M., Navarro, I. T., and Passos, F. C. (2007). Use of traps to capture black and gold howlers (Alouatta caraya) on the islands of the Upper Paraná River, Southern Brazil. Am. J. Primatol. 69: 241–247.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, C. M. (1986). Predation and primates evolution. Primates 27: 15–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aranda, M. (2002). Importância de los pecaríes para la conservacíon del Jaguar em México. In Medelín, R. A., Equihua, C., Chetkiewicz, C. L. B., Crawshaw Jr., P. G., Rabinowitz, A., Redford, K. H., Robinson, J. G., Sanderson, E. W., and Taber, A. B. (eds.), El Jaguar em el nuevo milenio. Fondo de Cultura Econômica/Universidad Nacional Autônoma de México/Wildlife Conservation Society, City of México, pp. 101–105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bravo, S. P., and Sallenave, A. (2003). Foraging behavior and activity patterns of Alouatta caraya in the northeastern argentinean flooded Forest. Int. J. Primatol. 24: 825–846.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campos, J. B., Romagnolo, M. B., and Souza, M. C. (2000). Structure, composition and spatial distribution of tree species in a remnant of the Semideciduous Seasonal Aluvial Forest of the Upper Paraná River Floodplain. Braz. Arch. Biol. Technol. 43: 185–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campos, J. B., and Souza, M. C. (1997). Vegetação. In Vazzoler, A. E., Agostinho, A. A., and Hahn, N. S. A. (eds.), Planície de Inundação do Alto Rio Paraná: Aspectos físicos, biológicos e socioeconômicos. EDUEM: Nupélia, Maringá, pp. 331–342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campos, J. B., and Souza, M. C. (2003). Potencial for natural Forest regeneration from seed bank in an Upper Paraná River Floodplain, Brazil. Braz. Arch. Biol. Technol. 46: 625–639.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheney, D. L., and Wrangham, L. W. (1987). Predation. In Smuts, B. B., Cheney, D. L., Seyfarth, R. M., Wrangham, R. W., and Struhsaker, T. T. (eds.), Primates Societies. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp. 227–239.

  • Chinchilla, F. A. (1997). La dieta el jaguar (Panthera onca), el puma (Felis concolor) y el manigordo (Felis pardalis) (Carnívora, Felidae) em el Parque Nacional Corcovado. Rev. Biol. Trop. 45: 1223–1229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crawshaw, P. G. J., and Quigley, H. B. (1984). A ecologia do jaguar ou onça-pintada no Pantanal: estudos biológicos no Pantanal, Parte I. IBDF: Brasília.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crawshaw, P. G. J., and Quigley, H. B. (2002). Hábitos alimentarios del Jaguar y el Puma em el Pantanal, Brasil, com implicaciones para su manejo y conservación. In Medelín, R. A., Equihua, C., Chetkiewicz, C. L. B., Crawshaw Jr., P. G., Rabinowitz, A., Redford, K. H., Robinson, J. G., Sanderson, E. W., and Taber, A. B. (eds.), El Jaguar em el nuevo milenio. Fondo de Cultura Econômica, Universidad Nacional Autônoma de México, Wildlife Conservation Society, City of México, pp. 223– 235.

    Google Scholar 

  • Defler, T. R. (2004). Primates of Colombia. Conservation International, Bogotá.

  • Emmons, L. H. (1987). Comparative feeding ecology of felids in a neotropical rainforest. Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 20: 271–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fonseca G. A. B., Rylands, A. B., Costa, C. M. R., Macado, R. B., Leite, Y. L. R., and Furlani, C. (1994). Livro Vermelho dos Mamíferos Brasileiros Ameaçados de Extinção. Belo Horizonte, Fundação Biodiversitas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greco, M. V., Andrade, M. A., Carvalho, G. D. M., Carvalho-Filho, E. P. M., and Carvalho, C. E. (2004). Callithrix penicillata na dieta de Spizaetus ornatus (Aves: Accipitridae) emárea de cerrado no estado de Minas Gerais. In Mendes, S. L., and Chiarello, A. G. (eds.), A Primatol. Brasil 8: 155–160.

  • Heymann, E. W. (1987). A field observation of predation on a moustached tamarin (Saguinus mystax) by an anaconda. Int. J. Primatol. 8: 193–195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heymann, E. W. (1990). Reactions of wild tamarins, Saguinus mystax and Saguinus fuscicollis to avian predators. Int. J. Primatol. 11: 327–337.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hibben, F. C. (1939). The mountain lion and ecology. Ecology 20: 584–586.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IBGE-FIBGE. (1992). Manual técnico da vegetação brasileira. IBGE, Série Manuais técnicos em geociências 1, Rio de Janeiro, RJ.

  • Jorgenson, J. P., and Redford, K. H. (1993). Human and big cats as predators in the Neotropics. In Dunstone, N., and Gorman, M. L. (eds.), Mammals as Predators. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 367–390.

  • Kierulff, M. C. M., Raboy, B. E., Oliveira, P. P., Miller, K., Passos, F. C., and Prado, F. (2002). Behavioral ecology of Lion Tamarins. In Kleiman, D. G., and Rylands, A. B. (eds.), Lion Tamarins: Biology and Conservation. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, pp. 157–187.

  • Mendes, S. L. (1989). Estudo ecológico de Alouatta fusca (Primates: Cebidae) na Estação Biológica de Caratinga, MG. Rev. Nordest. Biol. 6: 71–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miranda, J. M. D., Bernardi, I. P., Abreu, K. C., and Passos, F. C. (2005). Predation on Alouatta guariba clamitans Cabrera (Primates, Atelidae) by Leopardus pardalis (Linnaeus) (Carnivora, Felidae). Rev. Bras. Zool. 22: 793–795.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miranda, J. M. D., Bernardi, I. P., Moro-Rios, R.F., and Passos, F. C. (2006). Antipredator behavior of brown howlers attacked by black hawk-eagle in southern Brazil. Int. J. Primatol. 27: 1097–1101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira, T. G. (2002). Ecologia comparativa de la alimentación Del jaguar y Del puma em el neotrópico. In Medelín, R. A., Equihua, C., Chetkiewicz, C. L. B., Crawshaw Jr. P. G., Rabinowitz, A., Redford, K. H., Robinson, J. G., Sanderson, E. W., and Taber, A. B. (eds.), El Jaguar em el nuevo milenio. Fondo de Cultura Econômica, Universidad Nacional Autônoma de México, Wildlife Conservation Society, City of México, pp. 265– 288.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olmos, F. (1993). Notes on the food habits of brazilian caatinga carnivores. Mammalia 57: 126–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olmos, F. (1994). Jaguar predation on muriqui Brachyteles arachnoides. Neotrop. Prim. 2: 16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peetz, A., Norconk, M. A., and Kinzey, W. G. (1992). Predation by jaguar on howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus) in Venezuela. Am. J. Primatol. 28: 223–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polisar, J. (2002). Componentes de la base de presas de Jaguar y Puma en Piñero, Venezuela. In Medelín, R. A., Equihua, C., Chetkiewicz, C. L. B., Crawshaw Jr. P. G., Rabinowitz, A., Redford, K. H., Robinson, J. G., Sanderson, E. W., and Taber, A. B. (eds.), El Jaguar em el nuevo milenio. Fondo de Cultura Econômica, Universidad Nacional Autônoma de México, Wildlife Conservation Society, City of México, pp. 151–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reed, K., and Bidner, L. R. (2004). Primate communities: Past, present and possible future. Yrbk. Phys. Anthropol. 47: 2–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricklefs, R. E. (2003). A Economia da Natureza. Guanabara Koogan S. A., Rio de Janeiro, RJ.

  • Rumiz, D. I. (1990). Alouatta caraya: Population density and demography in northern Argentina. Am. J. Primatol. 21: 279–294.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rylands, A. B., Fonseca, G. A. B., Leite, Y. L. R., and Mittermeier, R. A. (1996). Primates of the Atlantic Forest. In Norconk, M. L., Rosenberger, A. L., and Garber, P. A. (eds.), Adaptative Radiations of Neotropical Primates. Plenum Press, New York, pp. 21–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sampaio, D. T., and Ferrari, S. F. (2005). Predation of an infant Titi monkey (Callicebus moloch) by a tufted capuchin (Cebus apella). Folia Primatol. 76: 113–115.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sherman, P. T. (1991). Harpy eagle predation on a red howler monkey. Folia Primatol. 56: 53–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soini, P. (1988). The pygmy marmoset, genus Cebuella. In Mittermeier, R. A., Coimbra-Filho, A. F., and Fonseca, G. A. B. (eds.), Ecology and Behavior of Neotropical Primates 2. World Wildlife Fund, Washington, pp. 79–129.

  • Stanford, C. B. (2002). Avoiding predators: expectations and evidence in primate antipredator behavior. Int. J. Primatol. 23: 741–757.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sussman, R. W. (2000). Primate Ecology and Social Structure. Pearson Custom Publishing, Needham Heights, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tello, N. S., Huck, M., and Heymann, E. W. (2002). Boa constrictor attack and successful group defence in moustached tamarins, Saguinus mystax. Folia Primatol. 73: 146–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vasquez, M. R. O., and Heymann, E. W. (2001). Crested eagle (Morphnus guianensis) predation on infant Tamarins (Saguinus mystax and Saguinus fuscicollis, Callitrichinae). Folia Primatol. 72: 301–303.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolff, J. O. (1997). Population regulation in mammals: An evolutionary perspective. J. Anim. Ecol. 66: 1–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zuberbühler, K., and Jenny, D. (2002). Leopard predation and primate evolution. J. Hum. Evol. 43: 873–886.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank the Secretaria de Estado da Saúde do Paraná—SESA/PR for logistic and personnel support and CNPq e CAPES for research scholarships. We also thank Dr. Tereza C. C. Margarido and Prof. Estefano F. Jablonski, curators of the mammal and zoological collections of MHNCI and MZ.PUC.PR, respectively. We particularly acknowledge Daniela Pinheiro Volante for laboratorial analyses, Rodrigo F. Moro-Rios, Dênis A. Sana, and Kaue C. Abreu for valuable information and discussions on cougar ecology and the comments of 2 anonymous reviewers.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate Program in Zoology,Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Portal Box 19020, 81531-980, Curitiba, PR, Brazil

    Gabriela Ludwig, Lucas M. Aguiar, João M. D. Miranda & Fernando C. Passos

  2. Biodiversity, Conservation and Ecology of Wild Animals Laboratory,Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Postal Box 19020, 81531-980, Curitiba, PR, Brazil

    Gabriela Ludwig, Lucas M. Aguiar, João M. D. Miranda & Fernando C. Passos

  3. Zoology Laboratory, Curso de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Apucarana, R. Osvaldo de Oliveira 600, 86811-500, Apucarana, PR, Brazil

    Gustavo M. Teixeira

  4. Public Health Laboratory, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Campus Palotina, Rua Pioneiro, 2153, Jardim Dallas, 85950-000, Palotina, PR, Brazil

    Walfrido K. Svoboda

  5. Protozoology Laboratory, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina-UEL, Postal Box 6001, 86050-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil

    Walfrido K. Svoboda, Luciano S. Malanski, Marcos M. Shiozawa & Italmar T. Navarro

  6. Veterinary Hospital, Departamento de Clínicas Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual de Londrina-UEL, Postal Box 6001, 86050-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil

    Carmen L. S. Hilst

Authors
  1. Gabriela Ludwig
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lucas M. Aguiar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. João M. D. Miranda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Gustavo M. Teixeira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Walfrido K. Svoboda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Luciano S. Malanski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Marcos M. Shiozawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Carmen L. S. Hilst
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Italmar T. Navarro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Fernando C. Passos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gabriela Ludwig.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ludwig, G., Aguiar, L.M., Miranda, J.M.D. et al. Cougar Predation on Black-and-Gold Howlers on Mutum Island, Southern Brazil1 . Int J Primatol 28, 39–46 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-006-9103-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-006-9103-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation