Johnson, Steig E. and Brown, Kerry A. (2018) The specialist capuchin? Using ecological niche models to compare niche breadth in Mesoamerican primates. In: Kalbitzer, Urs and Jack, Katharine M., (eds.) Primate Life Histories, Sex Roles, and Adaptability : Essays in Honour of Linda M. Fedigan. Cham, Switzerland : Springer. pp. 311-329. (Developments in Primatology : Progress and Prospects) ISSN (print) 1574-3489 ISBN 9783319982854

Abstract

The high degree of dietary breadth and flexibility in capuchins (Cebus and Sapajus), coupled with their advanced cognitive abilities, is well documented. Owing to these characteristics, capuchins may be considered highly adaptable generalists, capable of occupying a wide range of habitats. The Panamanian whitethroated capuchin (Cebus (capucinus) imitator) coexists with several other primate genera in Mesoamerica. Some taxa, such as the mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata) and Geoffroy’s spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi), have broader geographic ranges than C. imitator. This may be due to historical biogeography (e.g. earlier colonization of the region by Ateles and Alouatta) or, alternatively, because some habitats may be less suitable for capuchins. We investigated the latter hypothesis using ecological niche models (ENMs) to predict range extent based on climate and elevation, as well as niche breadth. Our results suggest a narrow climate niche relative to the more wide-ranging Ateles geoffroyi, as well as Alouatta spp. Precipitation in the coldest quarter and temperature seasonality were the two most important climate variables for determining C. imitator habitat suitability. These findings may have implications for capuchins’ ability to persist through environmental changes (climate change and forest degradation, and loss) and warrant consideration in assessing their extinction risk.

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