Isotopic and elemental corroborates for wild bearded capuchin ( <i>Sapajus libidinosus</i> ) omnivorous dietary adaptation at Fazenda Boa Vista, Brazil

Abstract

Rationale This study analyzes variability in the diets of wild bearded capuchin monkeys, Sapajus libidinosus , by analyzing stable carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) isotope ratios and elemental concentrations (%C and %N) of fecal samples and food items. Developing isotopic and elemental correlates for diets of habituated subjects is a necessary step towards applying similar methods to interpret diets of unhabituated or cryptic subjects. Methods Fecal samples from wild capuchins and their foods were collected at Fazenda Boa Vista, Brazil. Fecal samples from laboratory‐housed Sapajus spp. and their foods were analyzed to establish diet‐feces offsets for δ 13 C, δ 15 N, %C, and %N. Samples were dried, powdered, and measured for isotopic and elemental values. A Bayesian mixing model commutes isotopic and elemental data from wild capuchins into likely proportions of different food categories. Results The captive study shows small diet‐feces spaces for Sapajus spp. of −0.8 ± 0.7‰ for δ 13 C, −0.2 ± 0.4‰ for δ 15 N, −6.1 ± 1.7% for %C, and −1.0 ± 0.6% for %N. The wild study shows omnivorous diets based on C 3 , C 4 , and CAM plants, and fauna. Subject diets are highly varied within and between days. Fecal data show age‐related differences in diet and crop‐raiding. There is no consistent isotopic or elemental difference between mothers and infants. Conclusions Fecal stable isotope and elemental evidence employed in a Bayesian mixing model reflects the highly varied diets of capuchin monkeys in an isotopically heterogeneous environment. The isotopic and elemental variability reported here will aid similar diet reconstructions among unhabituated subjects in the future, but precludes tracking weaning isotopically among capuchins in this environment.