The nutritional content of Tana River yellow baboon (Papio cynocephalus) foods in a partially forested habitat

Comparative ecology of Guinea baboons (Papio papio)

Thorough knowledge of the ecology of a species or population is an essential prerequisite for understanding the impact of ecology on the evolution of their respective social systems. Because of their diversity of social organizations, baboons (Papio spp.) are a useful model for comparative studies. Comparative ecological information was missing for Guinea baboons (Papio papio), however. Here we provide data on the ecology of Guinea baboons in a comparative analysis on two geographical scales. First, we compare climate variables and land cover among areas of occurrence of all six baboon species. Second, we describe home range size, habitat use, ranging behaviour, and diet from a local population of Guinea baboons ranging near the Centre de Recherche de Primatologie (CRP) Simenti in the Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal. Home ranges and daily travel distances at Simenti varied seasonally, yet the seasonal patterns in their daily travel distance did not follow a simple dry vs. rainy season pattern. Chemical food composition falls within the range of other baboon species. Compared to other baboon species, areas occupied by Guinea baboons experience the highest variation in precipitation and the highest seasonality in precipitation. Although the Guinea baboons' multi-level social organization is superficially similar to that of hamadryas baboons (P. hamadryas), the ecologies of the two species differ markedly. Most Guinea baboon populations, including the one at Simenti, live in more productive habitats than hamadryas baboons. This difference in the ecology of the two species contradicts a simple evolutionary relation between ecology and social system and suggests that other factors have played an additional role here.

Historical antecedents and recent innovations in pitheciid (titi, saki, and uakari) feeding ecology

The modern pitheciids (titis, sakis, and uakaris) of northern South America represent one of the earliest radiations of platyrrhines and demonstrate morphological adaptations and ecological strategies for seed eating. While seeds can provide reliable resources for relatively long periods of time, they are often well protected by thick husks and hard seed coverings. Seeds also tend to be rich in lipids, but they may also be high in indigestible fiber. Even though seed eaters are found in each major primate radiation, only the pitheciids demonstrate primary adaptations for eating seeds. In this partly historical, partly contemporary review, I examine the ecological and anatomical correlates of seed eating. It is dedicated to two well-known field primatologists: ecologist and conservationist J. Márcio Ayres; and anatomist and ecologist Warren G. Kinzey. Using observations in Kinzey (1992, Am J Phys Anthropol, 88, pp. 499-514) as a framework, I provide context and analysis for the intervening three decades of pitheciid research to identify what we know about this understudied group of primates and propose directions for future work.