Ethnoecology, Resource Use, Conservation And Development In A ...

dynamics were considered by three interviewees, two of whom considered groups to
be permanently stable, while the other said that males might occasionally transfer
between groups, but not females.
Five interviewees spoke of the formation of mixed-species groups with chaumaa
(Saimiri sciureus); one of these also said they might join groups of wishi (Chiropotes
satanas). One interviewee specified that it was the males who form groups with
chaumaa, another that it was small groups with less than four members. Three
interviewees agreed that young are born singly, while the fourth answering this
question stated that one or two might be born at once. Of six responses concerning
the breeding season, one considered there was none but the others were consistent.
According to four interviewees, the breeding pattern is determined by the phenology
of koram: three of these indicated that young are born when this species is in fruit
and the other that mating occurs when it is in flower. The remaining answer was
consistent with this: that young are born in the rainy season.
All four interviewees to consider activity patterns said this species was diurnal,
while all seven interviewees concurred that they make use of kokerite palms to rest,
four providing the additional detail that they shelter under the large woody spathes.
One specified that this was a rainy season strategy, and that in the dry season they
might sleep in any thick growth of lianas up a tree.
All seven interviewees mentioned eagles as predators: in six cases the harpy
eagle, in one another species (Bursarellus nigricollis). Two saw fit to note that this
species is sufficiently intelligent to outwit attempts at capture by jaguars, a
phenomenon that is recorded in Wapishana folklore.
Five of the seven interviewees considered powatu groups to occupy particular
home areas, one specifying a size of two miles, although another mentioned that they
will move far from their home area to search for food. Of the two who suggested
there is no fixed home range, one qualified this by saying that a group may return to
particular sleeping places.
6.3.10 Wedge-capped or weeping capuchin.
There was a high degree of agreement in interviewees' statements on diet. All five
mentioned fruit as a major dietary component, and four of these also stated that
arthropods are consumed. The three who suggested most important foods all
included the fruits of species of Inga, while no other food item obtained more than
one mention. Four interviewees indicated a food shortage during the dry season,
though there was some disagreement on the sources of food at this time: wamooko