Concordia University
M.Sc. candidate
Supervisor: Sarah E. Turner
Renata G. Ferreira, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
Start: 2023-09-05

Project

Fallbacks foraging skills among blond capuchins (Sapajus flavius) in an Atlantic Forest fragment
How does the use of FBF influence the manipulative behaviors and optimal foraging sequence among blond capuchins in an Atlantic Forest fragment? The objectives of this research are (2.1) To identify and quantify the diversity of food manipulation and processing techniques of wild blond capuchins, in response to human pressures, using direct observations and trail cameras in the field; (2.2) To identify the influence of sex and age class on the diversity of behavioral sequences related to food manipulation and the type of food eaten (2.3) To analyze the proficiency of using FBF as a dietary strategy, I will measure processing time, bite and gesture rate, relative to feeding efficiency. (2.4) To investigate the impact of the use of FBF on conspecific competition, examining correlations with monthly food availability. Data will be collected in an Atlantic Forest fragment (Brazil).

Keywords

Blond Capuchins, foraging, fallback food, preferred food, human pressures, behavioural plasticity, food manipulation, Conservation, Fragmentation