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Geophagy in masked titi monkeys (Callicebus personatus melanochir) in sBrazil

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Abstract

Geophagy was observed 14 times during an 11-month field study on the ecology and behavior of masked titi monkeys (Callicebus personatus melanochir). Geophagy took place in 12 cases on the surface of a leaf-cutting ant mound (Atta spec.). Analysis of chemical composition and natural features of the soils consumed by the monkeys showed elevated concentrations of several elements. In contrast, a lower concentration of carbohydrates was found in the ant mound sample compared to random non-ant mound soil samples. No difference in the concentration of clay elements, pH-value or percentage of organic matter was found between ant mound samples and randomly collected soil samples. Comparison of used versus not used samples failed to reveal significant clues about function of geophagy. However, chemical and physical properties of soils ingested support previous hypothesis that this behavior may aid in the adsorbtion of plant toxins.

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Author notes

  1. Klaus-Heinrich Müller

    Present address: , Travessa 1. de Janeiro 16, App. 3, CEP 45650-000, Ilheus-Centro, Brazil

  2. Christian Ahl

    Present address: Institute of Soil Science, University of Göttingen, von-Siebold-Strasse 4, D-37075, Göttingen, Germany

  3. Gerhard Hartmann

    Present address: Geochemical Institute, University of Göttingen, Goldschmidstrasse 1, D-37077, Göttingen, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. German Primate Center, Germany

    Klaus-Heinrich Müller

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  1. Klaus-Heinrich Müller
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  2. Christian Ahl
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  3. Gerhard Hartmann
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Müller, KH., Ahl, C. & Hartmann, G. Geophagy in masked titi monkeys (Callicebus personatus melanochir) in sBrazil. Primates 38, 69–77 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02385923

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02385923

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