The density and distribution of Ateles geoffroyi in a mosaic landscape at El Zota Biological Field Station, Costa Rica
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The Department of Anthropology seeks to teach students what it means to be human by examining the four sub-disciplines of anthropology: cultural anthropology, archaeology, linguistic anthropology, and biological anthropology. This prepares students for work in academia, research, or with government agencies, development organizations, museums, or private businesses and corporations.
History
The Department of Anthropology was formed in 1991 as a result of the division of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.
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1991-present
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- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (parent college)
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology (predecessor)
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Abstract
The genus Ateles is thought to prefer primary forest, as spider monkeys are ripe fruit specialists and generally occupy the upper canopy of tropical forests. However, this generalization could be weakened by new research examining Ateles' use of disturbed and undisturbed habitat. This study measures spider monkey habitat use with density estimates following line transect methodology and encounter frequencies between undisturbed and disturbed habitat in wet and swamp forests. Results indicate no significant difference in habitat use. Preliminary measures of habitat quality show greater overall fruit abundance in primary forest, yet similar Ateles densities suggest factors influencing habitat use in mosaicland is more complex than previous research indicates. A better understanding of spider monkeys in areas of forest disturbance is necessary in order to evaluate their habitat requirements in an increasingly anthropogenic landscape.