Densidad poblacional y organización social del primate endémico y críticamente amenazado Plecturocebus caquetensis (Pitheciidae) en el Piedemonte Andino-Amazónico del Cauca, Colombia

Abstract

With a range of only 4029 km2, endemic to the Andean-Amazon foothills of the Colombian departments of Caqueta and Cauca, Plecturocebus caquetensis has been considered one of the 25 most endangered primate species around the world. At this date, there are only demographic and ecologic data for the Caqueta department population but the region of the Bota Caucana, which encloses the best-preserved forest within its distribution, has not been evaluated yet. Through the distance line-transect sampling method, we investigated the social structure and population density of P. caquetensis in an alluvial forest with different levels of anthropic intervention and connectivity. For 263 forest hectares, a density of 12.5 individuals/km2 and 5.3 groups/km2 was estimated. A total of 56 individuals in 22 groups were recorded, the average size was 2.5 individuals/group, 80 % of the individuals were adults, 16.4 % young; and 3.6 % subadults. The density reported here is low regarding the estimates made in a black-water flooding forest of the Caqueta department and concurs with that registered in hill forests. This article contributes to the understanding of the population status of species from the area, allowing further research as well as conservation strategies applicable to the Baja Bota Caucana in a socio-environmental and cultural context.