Comportamento de gupos de Sapajus apella (Primates: Cebidae) com diferentes razões sexuais sob enriquecimento ambiental

Abstract

The present work aimed to study the social behavior of Sapajus apella groups in captivity with different sexual reason under environmental enrichment. The study is justified by the need to elaborate rehabilitation protocols for the species involving the formation of stable groups for monitored release. The work was carried out in the building of Primates of IBAMA/CETAS of São Luis, located in the Forest Garden of IBAMA. The study involved six Sapajus apella specimens, three males and three females, in two phases, divided in four treatments, two in the first phase, groups formed by only one sex, and two in the second phase, one male group and two females and another group with two males and one female. The group formed by three specimens, only females, presented more frequency and time dedicated to social behaviors, with no competition for resources. A group formed by three specimens, only males, presented less frequency and time dedicated to social behaviors and establishment of hierarchy of stable dominance, with low competition for resources. A mixed group of three specimens, with only one male, tended to establish hierarchy of stable dominance, with predominance of non-agonistic social behaviors in the short term. Mixed group composed of three specimens, with only one female, this tended to the isolation, and maintenance of the hierarchy of stable dominance among the males. Environmental enrichment provided for all sex compositions, in groups with three specimens, the expression of socially stable behaviors and indicative of a higher degree of well-being for captive animals.