Biology subjects

Monteza-Moreno, C. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Monteza-Moreno, C. M..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Distribution and diet of Central American Clouded Tiger Cat Leopardus pardinoides oncilla via noninvasive genetics

The Clouded Tiger Cat Leopardus pardinoides is a recently recognized Neotropical species for which ecological and natural history data are sparse. Knowledge of species distribution and elevational range are largely based upon camera trap studies, and its diet has not been examined. The objective of this study was to better define the geographical and elevational distribution of the subspecies L. pardinoides oncilla in Central America using genetically confirmed records. We also provide the first diet analysis for L. pardinoides. We conducted extensive surveys for scat samples by visual means and with a scent detection dog across mountain ranges in Panama and Costa Rica, confirmed species identity using Sanger sequencing of mitochondrial DNA, and analyzed diet composition via DNA metabarcoding. Altogether, we collected 195 confirmed L. pardinoides scats. Records were strongly associated with high elevations, with a median elevation of 2805 m, and a maximum of 3422 m. Our findings highlight core habitat for L. pardinoides in the Cordillera Talamanca mountains in the border region of Panama and Costa Rica, and we identified isolated populations from the Central Volcanic Cordillera of Costa Rica and the Central Cordillera of Panama. DNA metabarcoding detected 59 vertebrate taxa. Diet was dominated by small mammals (74% of samples), especially cricetid rodents and shrews. Birds were also commonly detected (35% of samples), while reptiles (13%) and amphibians (1.9%) were less frequent. Estimated median adult prey mass was low (25 g), indicating that the species specializes on small prey. Most vertebrate prey identified were species endemic to montane regions of Panama and Costa Rica. These findings provide valuable ecological and natural history data on Clouded Tiger Cats in Central America that will inform conservation and management of this recently recognized species.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2022

Coupling of Coastal Activity with Tidal Cycles is Stronger in Tool-using Capuchins (Cebus capucinus imitator)

Terrestrial mammals exploiting coastal resources must cope with the challenge that resource availability and accessibility fluctuate with tidal cycles. Tool use can improve foraging efficiency and provide access to structurally protected resources that are otherwise unavailable (e.g., mollusks and fruits). To understand how variable accessibility of valuable resources shapes behavioral patterns, and whether tool use aids in the efficient exploitation of intertidal resources, we compared the relationship between tidal cycles and activity patterns of tool-using vs. non-tool-using groups of white-faced capuchin monkeys on Jicaron Island in Coiba National Park, Panama. Although only a single group of capuchins on Jicaron uses tools, all coastal groups forage on intertidal resources. Using data from >3 years of camera trapping at varying distances from the coast, we found that capuchins on Jicaron showed increased coastal activity during specific parts of the tidal cycle, and that this relationship differed between tool-using and non-tool-using groups, as well as between seasons. Activity patterns of tool-using capuchins were more strongly and consistently tied to tidal cycles compared to non-tool-users, indicating that tool use might allow for more efficient exploitation of tidal resources. Our findings highlight the potential of tool use to aid niche expansion.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2018

Habitual stone-tool aided extractive foraging in white-faced capuchins, Cebus capucinus

AO_SCPCAPBSTRACTC_SCPCAPHabitual reliance on tool use is a marked behavioral difference between wild robust (genus Sapajus) and gracile (genus Cebus) capuchin monkeys. Despite being well studied and having a rich repertoire of social and extractive foraging traditions, Cebus sp have rarely been observed engaging in tool use and have never been reported to use stone tools. In contrast, habitual tool use and stone-tool use by Sapajus is widespread. We discuss factors which might explain these differences in patterns of tool use between Cebus and Sapajus. We then report the first case of habitual stone-tool use in a gracile capuchin: a population of white-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus imitator) in Coiba National Park, Panama who habitually rely on hammerstone and anvil tool use to access structurally protected food items in coastal areas including Terminalia catappa seeds, hermit crabs, marine snails, terrestrial crabs, and other items. This behavior has persisted on one island in Coiba National Park since at least 2004. From one year of camera trapping, we found that stone tool use is strongly male-biased. Of the 205 unique camera-trap-days where tool use was recorded, adult females were never observed to use stone-tools, although they were frequently recorded at the sites and engaged in scrounging behavior. Stone-tool use occurs year-round in this population, and over half of all identifiable individuals were observed participating. At the most active tool use site, 83.2% of days where capuchins were sighted corresponded with tool use. Capuchins inhabiting the Coiba archipelago are highly terrestrial, under decreased predation pressure and potentially experience resource limitation compared to mainland populations- three conditions considered important for the evolution of stone tool use. White-faced capuchin tool use in Coiba National Park thus offers unique opportunities to explore the ecological drivers and evolutionary underpinnings of stone tool use in a comparative within- and between-species context.

animal behavior and cognition↗