BRIEF REPORT Population Densities and Geographic Distribution of Night Monkeys (Aotus nancymai and Aotus vociferans) (Cebidae: Primates) in Northeastern Peru
American Journal of Primatology 14:375381 (1988)
ROLANDO AQUINO AND FILOMENO ENCARNACION IVITA, Iquitos, Peru
Population densities of two species of night (or owl) monkeys (Aotus nancymai and Aotus vociferans) were estimated using transect census methods. Densities of Aotus nancymai were approximately 46.3 individuals/km2 in lowland forests and 24.2 individuals/km2 in highland forests. For Aotus vociferans densities were 33.0 individuals/km2 in lowland forests and 7.9 individuals/km2 in highland forests. A. vociferans occurs north of the Rio AmazonasMarañon and A. nancymai south of it, except for the northern enclave between the Ríos Tigre and Pastaza. The two species are nowhere sympatric. However, the two known karyotipic forms of A. vociferans occupy the same habitats throughout the Peruvian range of the species.
Key words: owl monkeys, census methods, karyotipic forms
Received March 17, 1987; revision accepted November 4, 1987. Address reprint requests to Rolando Aquino, IVITA, P.O. BOX 575, Iquitos, Peru. © 1988 Alan R. Liss, Inc.
Night monkeys, or owl monkeys (genus Aotus ), are important models for malaria research and other medical and behavioral investigations. Increasing demand for these nonhuman primates in scientific research led to the present census of the Peruvian populations of A. nancymai and A. vociferans and to the definition of their geographic distribution.
