The density and distribution of Ateles geoffroyi in a mosaic landscape at El Zota Biological Field Station, Costa Rica

The genus Ateles is thought to prefer primary forest, as spider monkeys are ripe fruit specialists and generally occupy the upper canopy of tropical forests. However, this generalization could be weakened by new research examining Ateles\u27 use of disturbed and undisturbed habitat. This study measures spider monkey habitat use with density estimates following line transect methodology and encounter frequencies between undisturbed and disturbed habitat in wet and swamp forests. Results indicate no significant difference in habitat use. Preliminary measures of habitat quality show greater overall fruit abundance in primary forest, yet similar Ateles densities suggest factors influencing habitat use in mosaicland is more complex than previous research indicates. A better understanding of spider monkeys in areas of forest disturbance is necessary in order to evaluate their habitat requirements in an increasingly anthropogenic landscape