ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCING LIFEHISTORY
TRAITS
Our observation of the timing of breeding in C. hoffmanni
and B. variegatus is consistent with previous work indicating
that C. hoffmanni reproduces essentially throughout
the year, whereas B. variegatus has a distinct, albeit
lengthy (c. 6 month) breeding season (Taube et al. 2001).
Despite the ability to breed each year, the mean proportion
of breeders was similar for the two species, perhaps
because fewer adult female C. hoffmanni were nonbreeders.
We also note that the proportion of breeders varied
little among years in B. variegatus, an observation possibly
explained by the relatively constant environmental
conditions among years (compared to, for example,
temperate regions).
Differences in the timing of breeding between the two
species may stem from differences in dietary needs. Choloepus
hoffmanni is more of a dietary generalist, apparently
consuming some animal matter and fruits and using more
than twice as many tree species as a food resource than
the strictly folivorous B. variegatus (Vaughan et al. 2007;
Chiarello 2008). Thus, C. hoffmanni may be able to meet
the energetic demands of reproduction throughout in the
year. By contrast, the breeding activities of B. variegatus
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCING LIFEHISTORYTRAITSOur observation of the timing of breeding in C. hoffmanniand B. variegatus is consistent with previous work indicatingthat C. hoffmanni reproduces essentially throughoutthe year, whereas B. variegatus has a distinct, albeitlengthy (c. 6 month) breeding season (Taube et al. 2001).Despite the ability to breed each year, the mean proportionof breeders was similar for the two species, perhapsbecause fewer adult female C. hoffmanni were nonbreeders.We also note that the proportion of breeders variedlittle among years in B. variegatus, an observation possiblyexplained by the relatively constant environmentalconditions among years (compared to, for example,temperate regions).Differences in the timing of breeding between the twospecies may stem from differences in dietary needs. Choloepushoffmanni is more of a dietary generalist, apparentlyconsuming some animal matter and fruits and using morethan twice as many tree species as a food resource thanthe strictly folivorous B. variegatus (Vaughan et al. 2007;Chiarello 2008). Thus, C. hoffmanni may be able to meetthe energetic demands of reproduction throughout in theyear. By contrast, the breeding activities of B. variegatus
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