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Predation by the tayra on the common marmoset and the pale-throated three-toed sloth

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Abstract

Predation on arboreal mammals is rarely observed in the wild. Here we describe the first confirmed observations of predation on a juvenile wild common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) and on a neonate wild pale-throated three-toed sloth (Bradypus tridactylus) by the mustelid carnivore Eira barbara, the tayra. We discuss predation on both of the prey species and review the nature of predation by the tayra.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the field guide Luís Severino da Silva (Marrudo) for his help in the common marmoset study project in the field. The Brazilian Council for Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq) provided a scholarship to BM Bezerra (Grant no. 130770/2005) during part of the long-term common marmoset study project. For their help in the Igapó Study Project in the field, we are grateful to Maria de Souza (our local cook), Eduardo de Souza (our local field guide), and the staff of the NUC of IBAMA, Manaus (all the environmental analysts, Ninja and Moa). Funding for the Igapó Study Project was provided by the American Society of Primatologists, Colombus Zoo Conservation Fund, LSB Leakey Foundation, Leakey Fund (UK), Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation, Pittsburgh Zoo Conservation Fund, Primate Conservation Inc., Roehampton University, and the Sophie Danforth Conservation Fund. BMB is supported by the Programme Alban, the European Union Programme of High Level Scholarships for Latin America—grant number E06D103405BR; by an Overseas Research Students Award to the University of Bristol; by a Postgraduate Scholarship award from the School of Biological Sciences—Bristol University; a Rufford Small Conservation Grant; an IDEA WILD grant; by the jungle hotel Amazon Ecopark Lodge and the Living Rain Forest Foundation. The observations presented in this paper were noninvasive and comply with Brazilian law.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol, BS8 1UG, UK

    B. M. Bezerra & G. Jones

  2. Centre for Research in Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Roehampton, London, UK

    A. A. Barnett

  3. Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil

    A. Souto

Authors
  1. B. M. Bezerra
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  2. A. A. Barnett
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  3. A. Souto
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  4. G. Jones
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Correspondence to B. M. Bezerra.

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Bezerra, B.M., Barnett, A.A., Souto, A. et al. Predation by the tayra on the common marmoset and the pale-throated three-toed sloth. J Ethol 27, 91–96 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-008-0090-3

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