Factors Affecting Primate Ecology

Question 1

Leibig’s Law of Minimum

Answer 1

Factor(s) which are limited in supply (food, water, space) will limit the size of the population and may affect behavior and other adaptations

Question 2

Secondary Compounds

Answer 2

• Are poisons which leaves often use as a protection against folivores
• toxic compounds which can be poisonous if eaten in large numbers (alkaloids) or can disrupt digestion (tannins)

Question 3

Mechanical Properties

Answer 3

How hard or tough food is

-affect the ability of primates to exploit fruits and seeds.

Question 4

Implications of limiting factors

Answer 4

limiting factors become driving force for adaptation
-ex: the pithecidae who have adaptations to exploit fruits and seeds with really hard coverings- big jaw muscles and massive canines