Unit 2
Primate Diets and Feeding Adaptations

In this unit, we examine behavioural and morphological adaptations related to diet. We first consider traditional ways of classifying an animal’s diet based on the type of food eaten, and question the relevance of these categories in light of the variation found within and between species in the selection of food, and the methods used to obtain it. We then examine the relationship between diet and some primate morphological features (including body size). We also look at behavioural adaptations related to food abundance and dispersal, and the strategies animals might use to maximize their chance of survival.

Objectives

When you have completed Unit 2, you should be able to

1. name and describe the various dietary patterns found among primates.
2. discuss the inadequacies of traditional categories of dietary patterns.
3. name and describe the various morphological and physiological adaptations related to dietary patterns and food processing.
4. explain the relationship between diet and body size.
5. discuss environmental factors that may affect dietary variations within species.
6. define the term nutritional wisdom, and discuss some of the factors that may affect an animal’s ability to show nutritional wisdom.
7. outline the optimal foraging theory.
8. discuss the problems related to testing optimal foraging theory in wild primate populations, particularly as it relates to herbivores.

Viewing Assignment

If you wish to complete your next viewing assignment now, you may choose Lemurs of Madagascar, described in Unit 1, or one of the videos listed below.

Time Life

1989 Spirits of the Forest. New York: Time Life Video.

This video describes the general features of the social organization and habitats of several lemur species, with a focus on the ringtailed lemur and the sifaka.

If you choose this video, then in preparation for the examination, be certain that you can answer the questions given below.

1. What types of social groups do each of the species presented typically form?
2. Where are the scent glands located, and for what are they used?
3. How do females carry their infants?
4. What is the dominance structure among the ringtailed lemurs?
5. Why are sifakas able to live in very dry areas?
6. What are the general differences between these species?
7. What are stink fights?

Nature Video Library

1997 Gremlins: Faces in the Forest. New York: Nature Video Library.

This video is an intimate look at a species of New World monkeys, the golden white tassel ear marmoset, in its natural habitat. It presents, for the first time, very rare footage of this species, including a female giving birth.

If you choose this video, then in preparation for the examination, be certain that you can answer the questions given below.

1. What are the different types of calls found in marmosets, and what are their functions?
2. What behaviours are unique to marmosets?
3. What type of social groups do they live in?
4. What is the typical diet of the marmosets?
5. What special adaptations for feeding do marmosets possess?
6. How are territories defended?

Note: Once you have completed the viewing assignment to your satisfaction, please return the video to the Athabasca University Library as soon as possible: the number of copies is limited, and other students will need it. Remember, too, to submit your request for the video for your next viewing assignment—see pages 32-33 in Unit 3 of the Study Guide.