Chemical Factors Influencing Food Choice of Howler Monkey (Alouatta palliata)

Abstract

Previous research suggests that howlers discriminately feed on plants which are not necessarily the most abundant species. Plant samples collected in Guanacasta Province, Costa Rica, were analyzed for concentrations of total phenolics, condensed tannins, gallotannins, total protein, fiber and lignin and also for their in vitro digestibility by pepsin and cellulase. The most important factor influencing howler monkey food choice was protein content. -from Author