Competition, predation, and the evolutionary significance of the cercopithecine cheek pouch: the case of Cercopithecus and Lophocebus.

摘要: Reports of cercopithecine cheek pouch use and functional significance are largely anecdotal, to date there have been no investigations into its by species living in closed forest habitats. Here, I report on Cercopithecus ascanius Lophocebus albigena the Kibale National Park, Uganda, between July–October 1997. Two hypotheses were evaluated: this feature was selected for because role 1) increasing feeding efficiency via a reduction potential competition, and/or 2) reducing vulnerability predation. Results indicate that both more likely their pouches when contestable foods and, after filling pouches, retreated densely vegetated (“safer”) positions processing food. There influence age sex L. use. Subadult C. cheek-pouched less frequently than adults, although differences adult males females. relationship feeding-patch size number plant food items either species. However, diameter breast height (dbh; measure patch size) trees which used significantly larger dbh they did not. Both presence greater numbers conspecifics. These data provide insight relationship(s) among oral anatomy efficiency, facilitate understanding selection important stem cercopithecines. Am J Phys Anthropol 126:183–192, 2005. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.