PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF CACAJAO-MELANOCEPHALUS-MELANOCEPHALUS IN SOUTHERN VENEZUELA

We conducted a survey of Cacajao melanocephalus melanocephalus in sout hern Amazonas, Venezuela, to update information on their distribution and to select a site for a longitudinal study. We surveyed along the R io Negro, Brazo Casiquiare, Rio Pasimoni, and Rio Baria and interviewe d local people. We observed C. m. melanocephalus four times along the Rio Pasimoni (N = 2) and the Rio Baria (N = 2). Group size ranged from 3 to 20 individuals. They ate immature seeds from heavily armored fru it of the chicle tree (Manilkara bidentata or Manilkara zapota) and Ma uritia flexuosa. Local people reported hunting primates, particularly C. m. melanocephalus, once per week. Mercury residue from illegal gold mining may be poisoning local ecosystems. Hunting pressures may have eliminated C. m. melanocephalus from much of its range in southern Ama zonas. Urgent steps must be taken toward the conservation of C. m. mel anocephalus in this region.