2/28 Lecture - Primate Ecology

Question 1

Primate Ecology

Answer 1

Study of how primates interact w/ their environment & other organisms

Question 2

Niche

Answer 2

ecological role of an organism in its environment

Question 3

Niche Axis*

Answer 3

1) Diet
2) Activity Pattern
3) Ranging Pattern
4) Predators
5) Locomotion

Question 4

Diet:

Answer 4

Combination of foods used to satisfy nutritional needs

Question 5

Diets*

Answer 5

1) Animals = Faunivore/ insectivore
2) Gums/saps - Gummivore
3) Fruit = Furgivores
4) Leaves = Folivore

Question 6

Ranging Patten:

Answer 6

Home Range = area where primates or group of primates live

                      - consistent over time
                      - Humans are the only nomadic primates (without a fixed home)

Question 7

Territory:

Answer 7

actively defended boundary of all or part of the home range

Question 8

Locomotion*

Answer 8

1) Arboreal Quadrupalism
2) Terrestrial Quadrupalism
3) Vertical Clinging and Leaping
4) Suspension
5) Bipedalism
6) (Knucklewalking - combo of suspension and terrestrial)

Question 9

Locomotion:

Answer 9

Ranging - selection of efficient travel/locomotion to reduce time to minimal

Question 10

Activity Pattern*:

Answer 10

Time is limited!

                       - Diurnal (Day)
                       - Nocturnal (Night)
                       - Cathemeral (Both)

Question 11

Predators:

Answer 11

Most primates share habitats w/ other primates - meaning

-space and resources must be divided and competed for

Question 12

Competitive Exclusive Principle

Answer 12

NO 2 Organisms can co-exist in same habitat

-One must differ in niche to avoid competition

Question 13

Character Displacement

Answer 13

Morphologic change that enables 2 species to co-exist sympatrically (same habitat)