DENSIDAD DE POBLACIÓN Y USO DE HÁBITAT DE Cebus libidinosus (PRIMATES, CEBIDAE) EN UN BOSQUE YUNGUEÑO DE BOLIVIA

Abstract

Population density and habitat use of Cebus libidinosus in a montane forest of Bolivia. The Brown Capuchin Monkey, locally known as k'usillo (Cebus libidinosus), is considered a plague for citrus and corn cultivars in the Yungas region of Bolivia. As a contribution to the management of this conflict, between May and October of 2002, and between May and July of 2003, we carried out an estimate of density, and habitat use of a population in the montane forest at the outskirts of the Estacion Biologica de Tunquini (EBT), located inside the Parque Nacional de Cotapata and Area Natural de Manejo Integrado Cotapata. We counted monkeys along six trails, used as line transects, and obtained an encounter rate of 1.48 groups/10 km and 29.15 individous /10 km. The density of groups estimated using Distance 4.1 was 2.16 groups/km 2 and 29.1 indiv/km 2 . This density is valid only for the EBT surroundings, and we do not recommend its use for the whole Parque Nacional de Cotapata. Cebus libidinosus used the cultivations (especially citrus) more than expected by its availability which coincides with the perception of the peasants. Palabras clave: Cotapata. Densidad. Primates. Transectas lineales. Uso de habitat.