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

Table 7.24. Comparison of ethnoecological and ecological data sets for Pithecia pithecia
Subject Ethnoecological observations Ecological observations
Diet Fruits dominate, leaves and 20 of 22 feeding observations on fruits,
flowers also eaten
one on flowers, one on leaves [1]
Most important foods fruits of 2 spp. of Inga eaten [1]
Attalea regia and Inga spp 54.5% of feeding observations involved
Food shortage during dry
season
No consensus on whether
seeds dispersed
seed predation [1]
Intraspecific Group size 2-6, always Live in family groups usually of 2-4
including both sexes
animals. Solitary individuals sometimes
Aggressive intergroup
seen. Occasional reports of larger groups
interactions
[1]
Activity
patterns
Diurnal Not reported
Habitat use No consensus on ranging Most sightings in high forest, but many
behaviour
also in liana forest [1]
Shelter under kokerite leaves Mainly use lower levels of forest [1,2]
or in thick epiphyte growth
near tree-tops
Most common in farm area
Move between trees by
jumping
Often move by leaping [1]
Interspecific Predated upon by several Remains found in nests of Harpia harpyja
species of eagle.
[3]
Predator evasion based upon Habit of hiding in foliage when disturbed
crypsis
makes observation in the wild very
difficult [1]
[1] Buchanan et al. 1981 [2] Mittermeier and Roosmalen 1981 [3] Rettig 1978
7.14 Summary and discussion
7.14.1 Evaluation of ethnoecological data in comparison with the
ecological literature
Overall, the observed correspondences between the ethnoecological and ecological
data sets are very strong, as is indicated by the summary in table 7.25. 148 distinct
observations were derived from the ethnoecological interviews for which comparable
information existed in the literature. Of these, 144, or 97 percent, were consistent
with those reported in the literature. Further to this, there were several cases in
which information was provided by several informants for which no comparable
reports existed in the literature. Given the general accuracy of the information for
which comparisons could be made, it appears that in some subject areas the
ethnoecological data set provided information that has not yet been documented by
biological researchers.
In terms of detailed information on diet, there was a high degree of overlap
among the food species indicated by interviewees and those reported from ecological