Morphological and behavioral adaptations for foraging in generalist primates: The case of the Cebines
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
1992
Journal Article
88
4
483-498
Parque Nacional del Manu Cocha Cashu Cebinae Saimiri sciureus Cebus apella omnivory foraging body size Brown capuchin monkeys animals mammals primates monkeys animal behavior squirrel monkeys Saimiri oerstedii predation habitat morphology Madre de Dios Bibliography
In addition to being frugivorous, Cebus and Saimiri stand out among the New World primates of similar body size in being heavily dependent on animal matter for protein (faunivory). A detailed description of the morphology and behavior of the two genera is presented with the object of evaluating the interaction and respective contributions of morphological and behavioral adaptations to foraging patterns. Our conclusions include the following: First, body size is extremely important in explaining the observed variation in diet. Second, the emphasis on faunivory is facilitated more by behavioral than by morphological specialization. Third, whatever morphological specializations are present, particularly in Cebus, are probably favored by diet at the most food-depauperate time of year. Fourth, although morphology may well reveal what a primate may potentially eat, to map this potential onto actual diet requires a detailed knowledge of its natural ecosystem. Finally, we consider whether the behavioral data support the tenuous morphological evidence for grouping Cebus and Saimiri within the clade Cebinae.