A Field Observation on Color Selection by New World Sympatric Primates, Pithecia pithecia and Alouatta seniculus

Bernardo Urbani

ABSTRACT. This work characterizes differences in selection of Talisia retusa fruits by two sympatric Neotropical primates, Pithecia pithecia (white-faced sakis) and Alouatta seniculus (red howlers). Color appears to be the criterion by which fruits were selected. Greenish fruits were mainly eaten by Pithecia, while yellowish fruits by Alouatta. The characteristics of these primates in relation to seed predation and seed dispersal are discussed in the context of the Talisia retusa fruit color spectrum. Furthermore, a possible differential acquisition of chemical components, like tannins, is hypothetically treated considering the variation in fruit color.