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Predation on primates: Where are we and what's next?
Author(s) -
Boinski Sue,
Chapman Colin A.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
evolutionary anthropology: issues, news, and reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1520-6505
pISSN - 1060-1538
DOI - 10.1002/evan.1360040102
Subject(s) - citation , library science , anthropology , sociology , computer science
n a recent review of predation on primates, Lynne Isbell and co-conI tributorsl present a timely update on our current understanding of the influence of predation on primate grouping and behavior. Isbell notes that the risk of predation has traditionally been viewed as a major selective force favoring group living and specific anti-predator behavior in primates, but she also discusses alternate hypotheses for some of these traits. Although Isbell provides a list of selected anecdotal evidence of anti-predator behaviors, these are passed over briefly; instead, more emphasis is placed on comparisons across species and tests of specific hypotheses within species. In this commentary, we would like to reverse the priority and show that: 1) the anecdotal literature is sufficiently rich in some cases to provide convincing evidence for the importance of predation to individual primate species; and 2) many difficulties arise in testing predictions concerning the evolutionary consequences of predation, especially when using comparisons across species. We also wish to reinforce one of her major themes. If we are to understand ecological and evolutionary consequences of predation for primates, “more studies of the interactions between predators and their primate prey are greatly needed.”’ Isbell tabulated a long list of behavioral and morphological characteristics of primates suggested to represent anti-predation adaptations. This list, however, does not illustrate the rich and pervasive circumstantial evidertce for the potential importance of predation as a selective factor structuring the activities and biology of primates. Tamarins (Saguinus and Leontopithecus) provide a good example. Predation risk on tamarins has been documented to be high.* Not only do tamarins allocate much time to scanning and ~ ig i l ance ,~ ,~ but reactivity to perceived threats or even unexpected stimuli is strong and occurs with only slight prov~cat ion.~ Individuals avoid being spatially separate