Feeding strategy of the Tana mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus galeritus) (Mammalia: Primates)

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1978.tb03926.x
• Publication Date: 2009-08-21T00:17:04Z
• Authors: Katherine M. Home...
• Keywords: Primates; Cercocebus; Feeding; 05 social sciences; 15. Life on land; Cercocebus galeritus galeritus; Kenya; Mammalia; Feeding strategies; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences; Strategies; Mangabey

Systematic data on the feeding behaviour and ecology of Tana mangabey ( Cercocebus g. galeritus ) were collected over a period 13 months in riverine forest study site River Kenya. A total 1151 hours observation was conducted two groups, containing 36 17 animals respectively. Both spatial temporal aspects vegetation studied. Particular emphasis placed quantification foraging , which has not been treated as distinct category previous primate studies. (Feeding = + eating.) Dietary composition varied according to season, but there also evidence that diversity diet increased food availability decreased. In addition, when scarce, did distance moved area searched for food. Results analysis major items indicated mangabeys possibly selecting such association with their metabolisable energy values. The conspicuous locomotor versatility mangabeys, combined these quantitative observations, support interpretation this is “generalist” terms strategy, compared “specialist” folivores exhibiting minimal searching manipulation items. It suggested “generalists” are particularly suited forests lining meandering river systems, fluctuating mosaic availability.