Mj. Schoeninger et al., STABLE-ISOTOPE RATIOS INDICATE DIET AND HABITAT USE IN NEW-WORLD MONKEYS, American journal of physical anthropology, 103(1), 1997, pp. 69-83
This paper demonstrates the use of stable isotope ratios of carbon and
nitrogen in animal tissues for indicating aspects of species behavior
al strategy. We analyzed hair from individuals representing four speci
es of New World monkeys (Alouatta palliata, the mantled howler; Ateles
geoffroyi, the spider monkey; Cebus capucinus, the capuchin; and Brac
hyteles arachnoides, the woolly-spider monkey or muriqui) for delta(13
)C and delta(15)N using previously developed methods. There are no sig
nificant differences in either carbon or nitrogen ratios between sexes
, sampling year, or year of analysis. Seasonal differences in delta(13
)C reached a low level of significance but do not affect general patte
rns. Variation within species was similar to that recorded previously
within single individuals. The delta(13)C data show a bimodal distribu
tion with significant difference between the means. The two monkey pop
ulations living in an evergreen forest were similar to each other and
different from the other two monkey populations that inhabited dry, de
ciduous forests. This bimodal distribution is independent of any parti
cular species' diet and reflects the level of leaf cover in the two ty
pes of forest. The delta(15)N data display three significantly differe
nt modes. The omnivorous capuchins were most positive reflecting a tro
phic level offset. The spider monkeys and the muriquis were similar to
one another and significantly more positive than the howlers. This di
stribution among totally herbivorous species correlates with the inges
tion of legumes by the howler monkey population. In combination, these
data indicate that museum-curated primate material can be analyzed to
yield information on forest cover and diet in populations and species
lacking behavioral data. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.