In our study area – the lowland Chocó rainforest – three monkey species act as important dispersers for tree seeds. Brown-headed spider monkeys climb skillfully through the tree canopies and live almost entirely on fruits. Mantled howlers shape the soundscape and eat both leaves and fruits. And Ecuadorian white-fronted capuchins consume insects and fruits. All three may spit out seeds, but most importantly defacate them from tree crowns – hours later after their meal, and often far away from the fruiting tree. The howlers are regarded vulnerable according to IUCN, the other two species even critically endangered. Here’s a new 2 min video of these monkeys in action, taken by Nico on his visit to Canandé and Tesoro in November 2022.
1) Ateles fusciceps ssp. fusciceps – Brown-headed spider monkey
2) Alouatta palliata – Mantled howler
3) Cebus aequatorialis – Ecuadorian white-fronted capuchin