Water and mineral composition of the exudate resulting from scarification of pau-pombo trees by black-tufted marmosets

Abstract

Black-tufted marmosets to obtain tree exudates for food often use Tapirira guianensis trees. Tree exudates are sources of calories, nutrients and water. In seasonal droughts, the high concentration of water in the exudates can be an immediate source for marmosets. One of the most important elements for the metabolism of marmosets is calcium, but it remains to be proven whether T. guianensis gum is rich in calcium. This study characterizes the water and mineral composition of the exudate that is consumed by black-tufted marmosets in urban forests in the Cerrado domain. Orifice and stem exudate samples were collected from eight scarified T. guianensis trees. The composition of the exudate was characterized using bromatological methods. The exudate was shown to have high levels of water and calcium, which are essential for the metabolism of marmosets. Due to its characteristics, T. guianensis may be an important tree species for the feeding ecology of marmosets and should be taken into consideration when making wildlife management plans in the Cerrado domain.