Faecal analysis as a complementary approach to the study of feeding ecology in the common marmoset (callithrix jacchus linnaeus, 1758)

Abstract

We evaluated the application of faecal analysis as a complementary approach to direct observation in the study of Callithrix jacchus feeding ecology. Our results indicate that animal foods may be more commonly consumed (based on faecal samples-FS; 61.48% of diet) than previously thought (e.g., only 22.83% based on observational data-OD). Whereas FS provide better data on animal prey, it was less effective than OD in identifying plant items. Six insect orders—including Dermaptera and two hymenopteran families, not previously recorded in marmoset diet—were identified through FS, which is thus shown to be useful in characterizing diet, especially in insectivorous primates.