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Tropical Ecological Systems pp 69–98Cite as

Impact of Sloths on Neotropical Forest Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycling

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Part of the Ecological Studies book series (ECOLSTUD,volume 11)

Abstract

We report a field study of the role of two-toed and three-toed sloths (Choloepus hofjmani and Brady pus injuscatus) in neotropical forest energy flow and nutrient cycling. Sloths are arboreal herbivores with stomachs and digestive processes showing convergence with the ruminants (reviewed by Goffart, 1971). Sloth stomach anatomy and histology, which includes provision for long-term retention of food, keratinous epithelium, and comparative lack of mucosal papillae, indicate that they should be considered as “bulk and roughage eaters” (Hofman and Stewart, 1972), a category reserved in terrestrial ruminants for grazers (grass feeders). Whether sloths are considered grazers on the basis of their stomach characteristics, or browsers because they feed mainly (three-toed) or partially (two-toed) on leaves, many of their effects on neotropical forest processes would be expected to parallel the effects of terrestrial mammalian grazers and browsers of grassland and savanna.

Keywords

  • Tree Species
  • Home Range
  • Forest Floor
  • Leaf Production
  • Howler Monkey

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

Dedicated to the memory of I. N. Healey, whose comments during our mutual stay on Barro Colorado Island gave impetus to our work.

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Author notes

  1. M. E. Sunquist

    Present address: , 4660 Heights Drive, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55421, USA

Authors and Affiliations

    Authors
    1. G. G. Montgomery
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    2. M. E. Sunquist
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    Editors and Affiliations

    1. Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30601, USA

      Frank B. Golley (Executive Director) (Executive Director)

    2. Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Cientificas, Apartado 1827, Caracas 101, Venezuela

      Ernesto Medina

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    Montgomery, G.G., Sunquist, M.E. (1975). Impact of Sloths on Neotropical Forest Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycling. In: Golley, F.B., Medina, E. (eds) Tropical Ecological Systems. Ecological Studies, vol 11. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-88533-4_7

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-88533-4_7

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