Adaptive Radiations Of Neotropical Primates

This collection of 29 papers grew out of a symposium entitled "Setting the Future Agenda for Neotropical Primates. " The symposium was held at the Department of Zoo logical Research, National Zoological Park, Washington D. C. , on February 26-27, 1994, and was sponsored by the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research, Smith sonian Institution, and Friends of the National Zoo. We put the symposium together with two objectives: to honor Warren G. Kinzey for his contributions to the growing field of platyrrhine studies and to provide researchers who work in the Neotropics with the oppor tunity to discuss recent developments, to identify areas of research that require additional study, and especially to help guide the next generation of researchers. The symposium provided the opportunity to recognize Warren as a mentor and col laborator to the contribution of the study of platyrrhines. Contributions to the book were expanded in order to provide a more comprehensive view of platyrrhine evolution and ecology, to emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of many of these studies, and to high light the central role that New World monkeys play in advancing primatology. If this vol ume were to require major revisions after just one more decade of research, that would be a fitting testament to Warren's enthusiasm and his drive to continually update the field with new ideas and methods. Tributes to Warren and a list of his publications have been published elsewhere (Norconk, 1994, 1996; Rosenberger 1994, 1995).

Howler monkeys (genus Alouatta) comprise 12 species of leaf-eating New World monkeys that range from southern Mexico through northern Argentina. This genus is the most widespread of any New World primate and can be found to inhabit a range of forest types from undisturbed rainforest to severely anthropogenically-impacted forest fragments. Although there have been many studies on individual species of howler monkeys, this book is the first comprehensive volume that places information on howler behavior and biology within a theoretical framework of ecological and social adaptability. This is the first of two companion volumes devoted to the genus Alouatta. This volume: · Provides new and original empirical and theoretical research on howler monkeys · Presents evolutionary and adaptive explanations for the ecological success of howler monkeys · Examines howler behavior and ecology within a comparative framework These goals are achieved in a collection of chapters written by a distinguished group of scientists on the evolutionary history, paleontology, taxonomy, genetics, morphology, physiology, and anatomy of howlers. The volume also contains chapters on howlers as vectors of infectious diseases, ethnoprimatology, and conservation.

The New World primates have radiated widely in tropical America, evolving a variety of adaptations to cope with different ways of life. This comparative survey examines many species. Some are highly specialized in unique ways; others have paralleled the lemurs of Madagascar or the monkeys and apes of Africa and Asia. The author's emphasis is on natural history, behavior, and ecology. Topics include geographical distributions, habitat preferences, territorial arrangements, activity rhythms, feeding techniques, defense mechanisms, and competition and cooperation among individuals of the same species. Much of the material is new, based on recent research in the field. Social reactions and organizations, and communication systems, are discussed in order to consider their implications for the evolution of primates in general and the development of languages and intelligence. Originally published in 1976. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

This book integrates three decades of owl monkey research conducted since 1994 when the first and only book focused on the genus Aotus was published. Owl monkeys were one of the least understood primates then; knowledge from wild populations was only beginning to emerge and there had been some substantial research in colonies of captive individuals. The situation is very different today. Research on captive owl monkeys has continued to develop, with valuable contributions to the health and medical sciences. And there is now enough information on the behavior, ecology, conservation, and biogeography of the genus that merits a synthesis. The book synthesizes new field data on the biogeography, behavioral ecology, circadian biology, population biology and demography spanning their entire continental range from Panamá to Argentina. It includes theoretical perspectives drawn from evolutionary biology, biological anthropology, anatomy, morphology and physiology, genetics, endocrinology and conservation biology to examine a specic set of adaptations that have allowed owl monkeys to exploit the nocturnal niche while functioning in a pair-living sexually monogamous system with remarkable patterns of paternal care. The author, with 30 years of research experience with both captive and wild primates, has directed the longest project on any owl monkey species and has conducted extensive original research on their biology, adaptive radiation and behavioral ecology. His expertise and published record on both wild populations and laboratory colonies makes this book one of a kind; it presents information from both captive and wild primates and explores questions through the integration of both approaches. The volume offers some additional features that make it novel in its approach: (1) brings together a combination of senior researchers who during four decades have established captive owl monkeys as a system of study with a new generation of younger scientists who have, for the last 10-20 years, been spearheading their study in the wild, (2) presents the work of a remarkably diverse range of authors representing all countries where owl monkeys are present, as well as researchers from the U.S and Europe, and (3) offers “synthesis” chapters; in doing so, it will surely become a reference book for those specifically drawn to owl monkeys, as well as for those interested in the research topics that are covered.

Peering into every biological facet of the lives of these long-neglected mammals, the volume includes; introductory chapters explaining the paleontological and biogeographic context for opossum evolution; an overview of the extant fauna, which includes over 100 species in 18 genera ; a section devoted to opossum phenotypes: morphology, physiology, and behavior; detailed information on opossum natural history, including habitats, diets, predators, and parasites; in-depth and novel interpretations of opossums' adaptive radiation in a phylogenetic contextIntended for undergraduate biology majors, graduate students, and research professionals, this coherent and original portrait of opossums will be of particular interest to mammalogists, evolutionary biologists, and Neotropical field biologists as well as biomedical researchers working with Monodelphis domestica as a model organism.

The New World primates have radiated widely in tropical America, evolving a variety of adaptations to cope with different ways of life. This comparative survey examines many species. Some are highly specialized in unique ways; others have paralleled the lemurs of Madagascar or the monkeys and apes of Africa and Asia. The author's emphasis is on natural history, behavior, and ecology. Topics include geographical distributions, habitat preferences, territorial arrangements, activity rhythms, feeding techniques, defense mechanisms, and competition and cooperation among individuals of the same species. Much of the material is new, based on recent research in the field. Social reactions and organizations, and communication systems, are discussed in order to consider their implications for the evolution of primates in general and the development of languages and intelligence. Originally published in 1976. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These paperback editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

The Neotropics contains the greatest abundance and diversity of primate species of any bio-region in the world. They make up an impressive and varied assemblage of species, from the small pigmy marmoset weighing one hundred grams, to the woolly spider monkey tipping the scale at 10-14 kg. Some in the group, such as the bearded capuchin, show signs of high intelligence evidenced by their use of primitive tools to open nuts and fruit, and many of these species are flagships whose very presence is crucial for the dispersal of seeds and maintenance of primary forests. Unfortunately, a large percentage of Neotropical primate species are threatened or endangered due to various anthropogenic activities including deforestation, illegal hunting, illegal wildlife trade, mining, and road construction. Moreover, there is a general paucity of data of this group because their habitats can be difficult to access and the sheer expansiveness of the Neotropical area. In this book, the authors present new research findings from sixty of the world's leading Neotropical primate scientists in order to bridge this information gap. Specifically, the authors provide up-to-date biological, molecular, conservation, and phylogenic information on many of these poorly understood, yet amazing creatures. It is the authors' intention that this new information will be used as a resource by the novice and professional alike in order to improve society's understanding of Neotropical primates and to help protect them long into the future.