Are larger primates less faunivorous? Consumption of arthropods by Amazonian primates does not fulfil the Jarman-Bell and Kay models

ABSTRACT Terrestrial arthropod groups, including insects, spiders, and millipedes, represent an important food resource for primates. However, species consumed patterns rates of arthropod-related feeding most frugivorous primates are still poorly known. We examined stomach contents 178 Amazonian primate specimens nine genera three families obtained from community-based collections voluntarily donated by subsistence hunters. Based on our results, we assessed whether consumption followed the expected negative relationship between ingestion body size as postulated in Jarman-Bell Kay models. identified 12 taxa, insects (beetles, grasshoppers, ants, flies, caterpillars, praying mantises, others), spiders millipedes. Medium large-bodied a greater diversity (measured Simpson’s index) richness arthropods, but differed terms composition taxa consumed. Cacajao, Sapajus Cebus proportionally more Orthoptera Coleoptera compared to other analyzed. did not find significant correlations arthropods mass. There was slight tendency decrease relative content diet with increased mass medium large primates, which does provide full support The study arboreal wild remains challenging. Our suggests that supply essential nutrients provides alternative method analyse faunal