Species richness, species range size and ecological specialisation among African primates: geographical patterns and conservation implications

摘要: The geographical distribution of species richness and range size African anthropoid primates (catarrhines) is investigated related to patterns habitat dietary niche breadth. Catarrhine concentrated in the equatorial regions central west Africa; areas that are also characterised by low average sizes increased ecological specificity. Species declines with increasing latitude north south equator, while size, breadth increase. Relationships between richness, remain once latitudinal longitudinal effects have been removed. Among lowest however, there variation terms breadth, two trends identified. While most such occupied a few wide-ranging generalists, others range-restricted specialist species. That conservation efforts increasingly focus on high may be appropriate if these more restricted both their versatility, although special consideration required for some richness.