As elevation increases, wildlife productivity usually decreases due to lower temperatures, thinner air, and lack of moisture, but several primate species have successfully colonized high altitude habitats despite these environmental stressors (Grow et al 2013). Since mountainous regions are often inaccessible, scientists have only recently made strides to explore primate ecology in these areas and the potential applications to conservation and evolution. Many monkeys defy the dangers of hypothermia, hypoxia, and famine through exceptional environmental flexibility (Grow et al 2013). Using case studies, this review will illustrate the adaptations that primates have evolved to help combat the strain of living in high altitude regions. The black-and-white or Yannan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti) can live in forests throughout Asia, 3,000 to 4,500 meters above sea level, due to their dispersion patterns, adaptive response to hypoxia, and varied diet (Xiang 2013). After dramatic …show more content…
These nocturnal primates inhabit forests elevated 1,200–1,675 meters above sea level in Tsinjoarivo, Madagascar (Blanco and Godfrey 2013). Strong temperature fluctuations and food shortages require the lemurs to hibernate in underground dens during winter months (Blanco and Rahalinarivo 2010). During this time, their small bodies lower their core temperature to 15 °C, which slows metabolic and heart rates (Blanco and Godfrey 2013). Hibernation also explains why females dominate dwarf lemur social hierarchy (Blanco and Rahalinarivo 2010). Since females cannot forage when caring for infants, they must instead outcompete males for food to build up fat reserves before winter (Blanco and Godfrey 2013). Evidently, obligatory hibernation maximizes favorable food distribution and guarantees dwarf lemurs will have sanctuary from climate
A Primate’s Memoir, written by Robert Sapolsky, documents the author’s time in Kenya while he studied the various behaviors of a troop of baboons. One of the key aspects of the book was the social rank that developed within the troop. Female baboons have a social hierarchy that is fairly cut and dry. The eldest baboons in the troop are considered the higher-ranking females, and as the baboons get younger, so to follows the string of dominance. The ranking for males was essentially from the strongest baboons to the weakest baboons. The baboon at the top of the social hierarchy was considered the alpha male. This social rank has huge implications for the troop in regards to which baboons mated with each other. If another baboon wanted to become the alpha male, then he would have to challenge the current alpha male to a fight, and win. The baboon’s distinct personality mixed with their instincts are the primary factors for where one lands on the social hierarchy. Another key aspect of the book was the strategies that took place when the baboons wanted to mate with another baboon. Similar to humans, the baboon males tried to impress the female baboons in a way that would make them want to mate. The rank of the male is considered to be one of the greatest factors contributing to what mate they end up with, because there is nothing more impressive than becoming a high-ranking baboon. Also, there were instances of lower-ranking baboons strategizing and forming teams with other baboons to become a higher ranking baboon for the mating possibilities. The baboons in the group are considered a patch-work of different troops, as it is common for one baboon to move to different groups frequently.
Dr. Goodall is a well-known British primatologist who has discovered a substantial amount about primates in her many years of research. She has written numerous books, including one that we will be going into depth about called, “Through a Window.” Her book contains personal experiences, research findings, and even pictures to help the readers visualize her scientific breaking moments from her thirty years with the chimpanzees of Gombe. She states that there is are minor differences, and several similarities between humans and the chimpanzees. We will discuss these differences and similarities through their social behavior, intellectual ability, and emotions. To conclude, examine Goodall’s research to adopt what her findings can tell us about our early ancestors, and whether or not her study coincided to the steps of scientific methodology.
Primates, any placental mammal of the order Primates, normally having flexible hands and feet and, in the higher apes, a highly developed brain (“Primate”, 2016), have been one of the most popular animals and prominent attractions in zoos.
There has been an age long debate to whether or not primates have culture. This is based on the idea that primates may have certain behaviors that our taught rather than already being programmed in their minds biologically. Some would argue that a certain action that a primate does wouldn’t necessarily be something that primate was born knowing; but others would argue that it was something that was something they knew in their subconscious mind. Notable arguments that would be in favor of culture in primates would include their use of tools, how a primate eats, and how they interact; arguments against the theory of culture in primates would proclaim that a primate’s habits are determined biologically and not affected by outside sources.
Do non-human primates have communication, language, both, or neither? By definition, communication is the imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information (Snowdon). Communication is very closely related to social behavior since they are both referring to the ways animals interact with each other (Quiatt and Reynolds 1993). Conversely, language is defined as a system of communication using sounds or gestures that are put together in meaningful ways according to a set of rules (Haviland et al. 2010). Non-human primates and human primates are similar in many ways, and communication is no exception. They both have various types of communication senses and styles. Human primate communication senses consist of sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch. Non-human primates mainly understand the world through sight, but smell, taste, and hearing are important as well (Quiatt and Reynolds 1993). Human primates are capable of speaking a language, while non-human primates use different vocal calls to communicate. In essence, the difference is simple, human primates have language while non-human primates do not. Even though non-human primates do not have language, they do have communication.
Viewing and observing primates at the zoo and using them as a research subject is crucial to help with the understanding of how humans came to be. Since humans and primates are onwards of 95% genetically similar (Why are Humans Primates), observing them is a great tool to better understand humans and the relationship we share with primates. Though some research done on primates has questioned the morality of such a thing, by not observing our closest ancestors, we would not have many of the answers about humans that we have today. Non-human primates can teach us many things about ourselves, from evolution,to behavioral and social characteristics.
They are shy and reclusive primates that live only in the rain forests of equatorial Africa.
Our earliest ancestors are primates. They are our closest relatives which is why we can see our behavior’s and practices in them. If we observe them we can get a better understanding of them and us, human beings. But unfortunately we all don’t get the chance to see a Primate right in our backdoor. So the best thing I could do for my observation was to visit them at the zoo.
The extremely large eyes of the fossil tarsier have changed very little in size relative to that of extant lineages (Rossie et al 2006), thus showing that a nocturnal lifeway has allowed for not only extreme sight in which predator detection would be easier, but niche differentiation that encounters far less predators than a diurnal niche. The diet of the tarsier, the only fully carnivorous primate, is well suited to its small body size. It has adapted a form of specialized hearing (Gursky 2015), ultimately allowing a successful feeding niche of insects and small vertebrae animals, without the added competition from a diurnal neighbour such as birds of prey, lizards, or
Non human primates’ social organization can provide useful information how human social evolution occurs. We will go over main points of how similar and different non human primates such as chimpanzees, orangutans, and gorillas’ society are compared to ours, humans.
No research was cited or referenced when less than two lemurs were studied, also when the lemurs were examined for a time span less than one year. Moreover, any non-lemur frugivores (excluding birds and bats) studies were not considered for review when lacking data with a comparative to lemurs. Morphological and physiological data for aves and bats were reviewed in articles independent from one another. Also, aves bill size and shape were only considered for endemic species in order to maintain a focus on conservation prioritization. Geographical and economic data of Madagascar was referenced by annual updates from reliable sources
they also live in other types of forests in Madagascar. Lemurs can only be found living in
Sikes, Roberts. and William L. Gannon. "Guidelines of the American Society of Mammalogists for the Use of Wild Mammals in Research." Journal of Mammalogy 92.1 (Feb. 2011): 235-253. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 5 Oct. 2011.
... cousins. Lemurs survived on Madagascar because they had little competition among primates and few other natural enemies. Each of the thirty species of lemurs found on Madagascar live in a particular area of the island. Most Lemurs spend their time in the treetops, leaping from tree to tree, but some live on the ground as well. Like people, Lemurs have the all- important opposable thumb, but they have thumbs on their feet as well as on their hands. This gives them four ways to grip branches and food. Each species of Lemur enjoys a different diet, which makes the loss of habitat even more threatening. (Ettagale Blauer, 1999)
Fruit is a high-quality food resource since it is only available in certain seasons. Therefore, this species was apart of a small group size due to the small food patches available in the environment. With that in mind, this species was most likely territorial in defending its food from others due to the high level of within-group contest competition (Caillaud, 2018). Since food is crucial towards female primates, this species participated in a Resident-Nepotistic social structure in order to monopolize food resources. Furthermore, the species fossil shows a relatively large brain compared to the body size. A high-quality food resource such as fruit is necessary in order to have a large brain. As a result, this demonstrates that the species had a fortified protection upon their territory well enough to sustain a high-quality diet.