Book contents
- Only in Africa
- Only in Africa
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Foreword
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- Part I The Physical Cradle: Land Forms, Geology, Climate, Hydrology and Soils
- Part II The Savanna Garden: Grassy Vegetation and Plant Dynamics
- Part III The Big Mammal Menagerie: Herbivores, Carnivores and Their Ecosystem Impacts
- Part IV Evolutionary Transitions: From Primate Ancestors to Modern Humans
- Chapter 15 Primate Predecessors: From Trees to Ground
- Chapter 16 Primate Ecology: From Forests into Savannas
- Chapter 17 How an Ape Became a Hunter
- Chapter 18 Cultural Evolution: From Tools to Art and Genes
- Chapter 19 Reticulate Evolution Through Turbulent Times
- Chapter 20 Prospects For a Lonely Planet
- Appendix Scientific Names of Extant Animal and Plant Species Mentioned in the Book Chapters (Ecologically Conservative with Regard to Species Recognition)
- Index
- References
Chapter 16 - Primate Ecology: From Forests into Savannas
from Part IV - Evolutionary Transitions: From Primate Ancestors to Modern Humans
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 September 2021
Book contents
- Only in Africa
- Only in Africa
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Foreword
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- Part I The Physical Cradle: Land Forms, Geology, Climate, Hydrology and Soils
- Part II The Savanna Garden: Grassy Vegetation and Plant Dynamics
- Part III The Big Mammal Menagerie: Herbivores, Carnivores and Their Ecosystem Impacts
- Part IV Evolutionary Transitions: From Primate Ancestors to Modern Humans
- Chapter 15 Primate Predecessors: From Trees to Ground
- Chapter 16 Primate Ecology: From Forests into Savannas
- Chapter 17 How an Ape Became a Hunter
- Chapter 18 Cultural Evolution: From Tools to Art and Genes
- Chapter 19 Reticulate Evolution Through Turbulent Times
- Chapter 20 Prospects For a Lonely Planet
- Appendix Scientific Names of Extant Animal and Plant Species Mentioned in the Book Chapters (Ecologically Conservative with Regard to Species Recognition)
- Index
- References
Summary
This chapter describes how most primates seek fruits, some still unripe, and fall back on vegetative plant parts or acacia gum, supplemented by some animal matter, when fruits are unavailable. Baboons fall back on underground plant parts during the dry season. Chimpanzees hunt animals opportunistically, while gorillas are strictly vegetarian. Home ranges traversed in savannas are larger than those covered in forests. All primates evade predation by sleeping up in trees or on cliffs overnight. Primate life histories lengthened relative to those of similar-sized ungulates due to their larger brains. Hence mortality losses must be restricted and lifespans extended to compensate. Primate populations are regulated by social interactions and infanticide.
Keywords
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Only in AfricaThe Ecology of Human Evolution, pp. 253 - 270Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2021
References
Suggested Further Reading
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