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The Feeding and Behavioral Ecology of Black Spider Monkey Subgroups (Ateles paniscus paniscus) in the Context of Illegal Artisinal Goldmining Activities in the Brownsberg Nature Park, Suriname

Vreedzaam, Arioene Uncas
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1375108777

Abstract Details

, MA, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Anthropology.
The Brownsberg Nature Park(BNP) in Suriname is home to eight monkey species: Saguinus midas, Saimiri sciureus, Cebus apella, Alouatta seniculus. Pithecia pithecia, Cebus olivaceus, Chiropotes satanas (sagulatus), and Ateles paniscus. Several studies have undertaken the task to better study the feeding and behavioral ecology of these species within the park. However, studies on the black spider monkey (Ateles paniscus) have been absent. As part of my thesis, I decided to conduct a baseline feeding and behavioral ecology study of this species during the period May 2008 to July 2008. In addition, I developed a field method for determining mercury levels (in parts per million = ppm) in fecal and urine samples of wild monkeys. Since the park is under enormous pressure from illegal gold mining activities, I decided to collect baseline data on potential exposure of wild monkeys to mercury in the environment. I also collected samples from monkeys at the zoo in Paramaribo and monkeys born in captivity at Hiram College in Ohio. I collected data on the frequency of feeding, resting, and traveling by black spider monkey subgroups every 10 minutes during all day follows. Feeding ecology data consisted of identifying fruits eaten by these subgroups. For the mercury analysis I used the OSUMEX LTD. home testing kit. Results from the behavioral data show the following frequencies of activities for the entire study period: 32% feeding, 43% resting, and 25% traveling. The feeding data further justifies spider monkeys as ripe fruit frugivores: 76% of food items consisted of ripe fruit, while 22% consisted of leaves, and 2% was comprised of flowers. The mercury testing results from the Brownsberg and zoo populations ranged between 0.025 ppm to 0.1 ppm (toxic level = 0.8 ppm). The Hiram College monkeys all displayed levels at 0.000 ppm. The results from the mercury analyses indicate that 1) wild monkeys in the vicinity of gold mining activities may not be under the same threat as humans, with regards to mercury exposure through food, and 2) that wild monkeys are still relatively exposed to mercury in the environment whether it be natural or anthropogenic.
Marilyn Norconk, Phd. (Advisor)
Richard Meindl, Phd. (Committee Member)
Christopher Vinyard, Phd. (Committee Member)
Animal Sciences; Animals; Behavioral Sciences; Biology; Botany; Conservation; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Geographic Information Science; Toxicology; Wildlife Conservation; Wildlife Management; Zoology
feeding ecology; behavioral ecology; Brownsberg; Suriname; black spider monkey; Ateles paniscus; small scale gold mining; methylmercury

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Vreedzaam, A. U. (n.d.). The Feeding and Behavioral Ecology of Black Spider Monkey Subgroups (Ateles paniscus paniscus) in the Context of Illegal Artisinal Goldmining Activities in the Brownsberg Nature Park, Suriname [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1375108777

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Vreedzaam, Arioene. The Feeding and Behavioral Ecology of Black Spider Monkey Subgroups (Ateles paniscus paniscus) in the Context of Illegal Artisinal Goldmining Activities in the Brownsberg Nature Park, Suriname. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1375108777.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Vreedzaam, Arioene. "The Feeding and Behavioral Ecology of Black Spider Monkey Subgroups (Ateles paniscus paniscus) in the Context of Illegal Artisinal Goldmining Activities in the Brownsberg Nature Park, Suriname." Master's thesis, Kent State University. Accessed APRIL 25, 2024. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1375108777

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.