Variation in the Nutritional Value of Primate Foods: Among Trees, Time Periods, and Areas

摘要: The study of nutritional ecology has proven to be useful for understanding many aspects primate behavior and is a valuable tool in conservation. However, date this approach had limited application since chemical analyses food items very time-consuming collections perishable material are often made remote field locations. Such logistic difficulties have led plant being collected variety fashions, it not known how variation collection method might influence our the basis dietary selection. A standardization methods greatly needed allow direct comparison among studies. To develop an appropriate standardized evaluate past research, necessary understand along what dimensions chemistry varies. We evaluated value—protein, fiber, digestibility, alkaloids, saponins, cyanogenic glycocides, minerals—of leaf from species eaten by red colobus ( Piliocolobus tephrosceles) blackand-white (Colobus guereza) Kibale National Park, Uganda. consider at 3-levels: trees, time periods, areas. While there was considerable with respect protein, also individuals same species; fact, may vary as much 20%. average coefficients (CV) 13.4 12 43 while CV 35, 31.3, 82.4, respectively. No showed variable response