Dissertation Research: A Comparative Study of Two Species of Macaque in Central Sulawesi

这是一项针对印度尼西亚苏拉威西中部狭窄地峡中的通基亚纳猕猴和赫基猕猴的生态和行为进行的为期十五个月的比较研究。 地峡平均宽度只有35公里，这两个物种的活动范围就在这个狭窄的区域接触。 这两个物种在形态上非常相似，以前被归类为同一物种。 尽管缺乏地理或气候的接触障碍，这两个物种之间的差异仍然存在。 这表明这两个物种的生态和行为特征可能是使这两个物种在近地地区保持独特的机制。 这项调查的重点将是确定和检查这些机制。 了解 Tonkeana 和 M. hecki 之间是否存在生态和行为分离将增加我们对这两种形式在近亲或可能的同源地区作为不同实体的维持方式的理解。 这项研究可能有助于建立新的模型来理解和解释猕猴属和其他密切相关的灵长类动物的维持，并最终创造多样性。 拟议的研究与尝试了解灵长类动物和其他哺乳动物多样化的一般机制有关。

This is a fifteen month comparative study of the ecology and behavior of Macaca tonkeana and Macaca hecki in the narrow isthmus of Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. The isthmus averages only 35 km in width, and the ranges of these two species come into contact in this narrow area. The two species are morphologically very similar, previously having been classified as the same species. Differences between these two species have persisted despite the lack of geographical or climatic barriers to contact. This suggests that features of the ecology and behavior of the two species may serve as mechanisms to keep the two species distinct in an area of parapatry. The focus of this investigation will be to identify and examine these mechanisms. Knowledge of the presence or absence of ecological and behavioral separation between M. tonkeana and M. hecki will increase our understanding of the manner in which these two forms are maintained as distinct entities in an area of parapatry or possible sympatry. This study may contribute to new models for understanding and interpreting the maintenance, and ultimately, the creation of diversity in the genus Macaca and other closely related primates. The proposed research is relevant to attempts to understand general mechanisms of diversification in primates and other mammals.