T Jean M Arseneau-Robar, Amtul H Changasi, Evan Turner, Julie A Teichroeb
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引用次数: 9
Abstract
Introduction: Colobine monkeys are specialized folivores that use foregut fermentation to digest leaves. The slow process of fermentation forces them to spend a lot of time resting and to minimize their energy expenditure to subsist on a lower-quality diet.
Methods: We recorded the diet and activity budget of Colobus angolensis ruwenzorii, which form a three-tiered multi-level society, at Lake Nabugabo, Uganda, over 12 months using scan sampling on adults and subadults, to determine whether they utilize the energy minimization strategy typical of colobines.
Results: We found that the annual diet was primarily comprised of high-quality food resources (young leaves 65% and fruit 31%), and fruits were the only plant part the monkeysselected when available. Both the fruits and young leaves of some species were preferred food items in some months, and mature leaf consumption correlated negatively with preferred food availability. Mature leaves appear to be a fallback food for this population but are rarely relied upon (3%). The C. a. ruwenzoriiat Nabugabo spent less time resting (40%) and more time moving (25%) than is typical for other species of black-and-white colobus.
Discussion/conclusion: The high-quality diet of this population appears to allow them to utilize an energy maximization strategy. Their reliance on food items that tend to be clumped in space and time likely explains the frequent fission-fusion behaviour that we observe between core units. Our findings demonstrate that the foraging strategies of colobines may be more flexible than was previously thought and illustrate how food availability and distribution can impact primate social organization.
期刊介绍:
Recognizing that research in human biology must be founded on a comparative knowledge of our closest relatives, this journal is the natural scientist''s ideal means of access to the best of current primate research. ''Folia Primatologica'' covers fields as diverse as molecular biology and social behaviour, and features articles on ecology, conservation, palaeontology, systematics and functional anatomy. In-depth articles and invited reviews are contributed by the world’s leading primatologists. In addition, special issues provide rapid peer-reviewed publication of conference proceedings. ''Folia Primatologica'' is one of the top-rated primatology publications and is acknowledged worldwide as a high-impact core journal for primatologists, zoologists and anthropologists.