Effects of variation in forest fragment habitat on black howler monkey demography in the unprotected landscape around Palenque National Park, Mexico

Black howler monkey populations around Palenque National Park, Mexico, show differential demographic responses to forest fragmentation based on sex. Larger, more connected fragments with abundant secondary growth and diverse vegetation tend to have higher proportions of adult females per group and in the population, while more isolated fragments favor adult males. This suggests that females prefer to remain in or near natal groups and fragments, whereas males are more likely to disperse over longer distances through fragmented landscapes. The study used redundancy analysis on 15 fragment variables—including area, connectivity, forest composition, and structure—to explain variance in population size, density, and sex ratios across 34 fragments (N = 393 monkeys). It found that maintaining both landscape connectivity and larger fragment areas is critical for conserving this primate species, as these factors disproportionately benefit female-dominated populations. The research highlights the importance of understanding sex-specific responses to habitat fragmentation in conservation strategies.

Klass, K., Van Belle, S., Campos-Villanueva, A., Mercado Malabet, F., & Estrada, A. (2020). Effects of variation in forest fragment habitat on black howler monkey demography in the unprotected landscape around Palenque National Park, Mexico. PeerJ, 8, e9694. Portico. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9694