Banca de DEFESA: JOAO VITOR CHAVES DOS SANTOS

THE EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL VARIATION ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF TITI MONKEYS (Plecturocebus caligatus) IN THE PURUS-MADEIRA INTERFLUVIE, AMAZONAS,AM

Passive acoustic monitoring, primates, Amazon, environmental variables

Species' space use is influenced by complex interactions with the environment, directly impacting population dynamics and community structure. In the Amazon biome—one of the most biodiverse regions in the world—environmental variables such as diameter at breast height (DBH), palm tree abundance, and forest edge proximity affect vegetation structure and resource distribution, creating microhabitats that increase ecological complexity. The variation of these characteristics across the Amazon is associated with factors such as rainfall and geographic isolation, influencing local biodiversity patterns. This study analyzed the influence of environmental variables on the spatial distribution of Plecturocebus caligatus (zogue-zogue) in the Purus-Madeira interfluve, southwestern Amazon, along the BR-319 highway. Autonomous sound recorders were deployed in four research modules distributed along an environmental gradient. The variables analyzed included DBH, palm tree density, and distance from the forest edge. Among the 9,954 recordings analyzed, 18 vocalizations of P. caligatus were detected, distributed across three distinct modules: one occurrence in module 8, nine in module 11, and eight in module 12. The results indicate a negative relationship between species occurrence and DBH, suggesting a preference for areas with younger or smaller vegetation. Additionally, P. caligatus was more frequently detected near forest edges, indicating a possible tolerance or even preference for transitional environments. The relationship with palm tree density showed a negative trend, suggesting that areas with higher palm abundance may be less favorable for the species' presence. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the environmental factors influencing the distribution of cryptic primates in the Amazon and may inform conservation strategies aimed at maintaining suitable habitats for Plecturocebus caligatus in regions facing increasing anthropogenic pressure.