Structure and floristic composition of one of the last forest fragments containing the critically endangered Northern Muriqui (Brachyteles Hypoxanthus, Primates)

Boubli, JP; Couto-Santos, FR; Strier, KB

Abstract

This study presents results from the first systematic botanical investigation of the RPPN Feliciano Miguel Abdala
(RPPN-FMA, formerly Caratinga Biological Station), a semi-deciduous forest fragment in southeastern Brazil that supports
nearly a third of the remaining population of the critically endangered northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus). Here
we describe the structure, diversity, and floristic composition of this forest. Our goal was to provide the scientific basis for
a management plan that will take into consideration the factors involved in the unusually high muriqui carrying capacity
in this fragment. Our sample comes from six 500 x 10-m plots, totaling 3 ha. We marked and identified all trees with
DBH ≥ 10 cm in all of the plots, and all trees of 5 ≤ DBH <10 cm in half of the plots (1.5 ha). Forest structure was
consistent with secondary forest characteristics, inasmuch as large trees were rare, total basal area was small, canopy was
discontinuous, average tree height was low, and liana load was heavy. Top-ranking families, based on Importance Value,
were Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Annonaceae, Rubiaceae, and Moraceae. Compared with other forests where northern
muriquis occur, the RPPN-FMA forest was more floristically diverse (H’ = 4.6) and even ( J = 0.85). In addition, topranking species were known muriqui foods. These factors might contribute to the unusually high density of the primate
found at this site.

Citation

Boubli, J., Couto-Santos, F., & Strier, K. (2011). Structure and floristic composition of one of the last forest fragments containing the critically endangered Northern Muriqui (Brachyteles Hypoxanthus, Primates). Ecotropica (Bonn), 17(2), 53-69

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2011
• Deposit Date: Nov 1, 2021
• Journal: Ecotropica
• Print ISSN: 0949-3026
• Electronic ISSN: 2699-1454
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 53-69
• Publisher URL: https://www.soctropecol.eu/PDF/Ecotropica_2011/Boubli_et_al_2011.pdf
• Related Public URLs: https://www.soctropecol.eu/content/ecotropica
• Additional Information: Access Information : The published version of this article can be read for free using the link above.; Funders : Zoological Society of San Diego, USA;Brazilian Research Council (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico – CNPq);Project for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Brazilian Biological Diversity (PROBIO) of the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment (MMA)