Many types of primate, particularly species of the genus Alouatta (howler monkey) defecate as a social group and tend to defecate repeatedly in specific locations (sometimes referred to as latrines; Andresen 2001, 2002; Gilbert 1997). The importance of these clumped defecations in the dispersal of seeds has been well investigated (Andresen 2001, 2002; Estrada & Coates-Estrada 1984, 1991; Julliot 1996). In contrast, no study has yet looked at the role of clumped defecation in the spatial distribution of soil nutrients and the availability of nutrients for plant uptake.
