Key Concepts in Primate Social Organization and Ecology Exam 2

Social Organization

Refers to the way primates structure their social groups, which can vary widely among species, influencing their behavior and interactions.

Social Structure

The arrangement of individuals within a group, including dominance hierarchies and kinship ties, which can affect mating and resource access.

Types of Primate Social Groups

Includes solitary, monogamous, polygamous, and multi-male/multi-female groups, each with distinct social dynamics and reproductive strategies.

Foraging Strategies

Different methods primates use to obtain food, influenced by their social structure and ecological context, such as group foraging versus solitary foraging.

Socioecology

The study of how social structure is influenced by ecological factors, including resource distribution and predation risk.

Philopatry

The tendency of individuals to remain in or return to their birthplace, affecting genetic diversity and social dynamics within groups.

Behavioral Ecology

Examines the evolutionary basis for animal behavior due to ecological pressures, focusing on survival and reproductive success.

Niche Separation

The process by which different species or groups exploit different resources or habitats to reduce competition, often seen in polyspecific associations.

Expensive Tissue Hypothesis

Suggests that the evolution of larger brains in primates is linked to a reduction in gut size, allowing for more energy to be allocated to brain development.

Folivore

Primates that primarily consume leaves, requiring adaptations for digesting tough plant material.

Herbivore

Primates that eat a variety of plant materials, including fruits and seeds, often with specialized digestive systems.

Frugivore

Primates that primarily eat fruits, which can influence their foraging behavior and social interactions.

Omnivore

Primates that have a varied diet, consuming both plant and animal matter, allowing for greater dietary flexibility.

Parasites

Organisms that live on or in a host, affecting their health and behavior; can be classified as endoparasites (internal) or ectoparasites (external).

Mobbing

A behavior where primates collectively harass a predator, reducing individual risk and enhancing group safety.

Vigilance

The act of being watchful for potential threats, which can be influenced by group size and social structure.

Kleiber's Law

States that metabolic rate scales to the 3/4 power of body mass, influencing energy requirements and foraging behavior in primates.

Liebig's Law of Minimum

Suggests that the growth of an organism is limited by the nutrient in shortest supply, relevant in understanding primate diets and habitat use.

Trophic Levels

The hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, from producers (autotrophic) to primary and secondary consumers (heterotrophic), illustrating energy flow.

Home Range

The area in which an animal lives and moves on a periodic basis, which can overlap with others in the species.

Core Area

The part of the home range that is used most intensively, often containing critical resources.

Territorial Behavior

Actions taken by individuals to defend their home range from intruders, which can include vocalizations, scent marking, and displays.

Biotic Factors

Living components of an ecosystem that affect primate behavior and ecology, including competition, predation, and symbiosis.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living components such as climate, soil, and water that influence habitat suitability and resource availability.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment, crucial for understanding primate habitats.

Referential Signaling

The use of specific signals to convey information about particular objects or events, important in primate communication.

Interactions vs. Relationships

Distinguishing between transient interactions (e.g., foraging together) and long-term relationships (e.g., kinship bonds) that shape social structure.

Arboreal Highways

Pathways in the trees that primates use for movement, which can influence social interactions and foraging strategies.