Dissertation Research: Mechanism Governing Intraspecific Feeding Selectivity in Mantled Howler Monkeys Alouatta Palliata

所有的动物，包括人类，对它们吃的食物都是有选择性的(即，它们从一系列可能对它们可用的资源中选择特定的食物)。关于动物用来选择适当饮食的线索和标准，人们还知之甚少。这在食草性灵长类动物中尤其如此，它们的胃很简单(例如咆哮猴子)，它们必须选择不仅能量充足，而且营养成分充足，毒素和难以消化的碳水化合物水平较低的饮食。野生咆哮以特定树种的树叶为食，而忽略了其他同类树种的树叶。这项研究旨在找出支配这种种内食物选择的因素。这是朝着理解支配许多食物种类选择的因素迈出的第一步。被利用和被忽视的同一物种的树木将被比较：1)化学(营养、结构碳水化合物和毒素)，2)位置、形状和结构，3)生产力，4)丰富度，6)捕食危险。了解这些灵长类用来选择适当食物的标准将有助于更好地了解它们的生态需求和它们对森林环境的复杂行为适应。

All animals, including humans, are selective about the food they eat, (i.e., they chose particular items for food from a suite of resources that are potentially available to them). Much is unknown about the cues and criteria that animals use to choose adequate diets. This is especially true among plant-eating primates with simple stomachs (e.g. howler monkeys), who must choose a diet that is not only adequate in energy, but that also has an adequate mix of nutrients and low levels of toxins and indigestible carbohydrates. Wild howlers eat from the leaves of particular trees but ignore those of other trees of the same species. This study aims to identify the factors that govern such intra-specific food choices. It is an initial step toward understanding factors that govern choices across many food species. Trees of the same species that are used and ignored will be compared for: 1) chemistry (nutrients, structural carbohydrates, and toxins), 2) location, shape and structure, 3) productivity, 4) abundance, and 6) danger of predation. An understanding of the criteria these primates use to choose adequate diets will contribute to a greater understanding of their ecological needs and of their complex behavioral adaptations to a forest environment.