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Seasonal dietary stress in a forest monkey (Cercopithecus mitis)
1Washington Singer Laboratories, Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, EX4 4QG, Exeter, UK.
Oecologia
|March 18, 2017
Summary
Blue monkeys on Zomba Plateau adjust their diet seasonally. Their protein intake and digestion inhibitor levels vary with climate, showing adaptation to food availability and plant defenses.
Area of Science:
- Primate Ecology
- Animal Nutrition
- Behavioral Ecology
Background:
- Blue monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis nyasae) inhabit Zomba Plateau, Malawi, an area with distinct climate seasonality.
- Understanding dietary adaptations is crucial for primate conservation and ecological studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the seasonal dietary patterns of blue monkeys.
- To correlate diet composition with climatic seasonality and food availability.
- To assess the monkeys' response to varying nutrient and anti-nutrient levels in their diet.
Main Methods:
- A 15-month field study on Zomba Plateau, Malawi.
- Analysis of blue monkey diet composition, focusing on protein and digestion inhibitors.
- Observation of foraging behavior and home range size in relation to seasonal food availability.
Main Results:
- Dietary protein content was highest during the warm, rainy season.
- During the hottest period (Oct-Nov), protein intake decreased while digestion inhibitors increased.
- Monkeys exhibited wider ranging behavior during the hot season compared to the dry winter months.
Conclusions:
- Blue monkey diet quality fluctuates significantly with Malawi's pronounced climate seasonality.
- Seasonal variations in diet are linked to changes in food availability and increased plant chemical defenses.
- The monkeys demonstrate behavioral flexibility and sensitivity to plant chemical composition in response to dietary challenges.
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