Primate Socio-Ecology
Primate socio-ecology varies and has different determinants that decide many different characteristics. As a virtual paleontologist, we discovered two different sites and skeletal remains in Kenya and deductively reasoned their mating habits, group size, and several other characteristics about the Praeanthropus dimorphicus and the Praeanthropus monomorphicus with what I know about primate socio-ecology. Based on my prior knowledge, logic, and reasoning, by looking at skeletal remains we are able to deduce many different features included in primate socio-ecology for these two different species that include: group size, diet, mating system, habitat, and finally ranging behavior and territoriality.
From the first site we can infer certain …show more content…
This species displayed arboreal traits, low rounded cusps, thick enamel, and relatively equal male to female size ratio. Frugivores bunodont teeth and large incisors are ideal for opening fruit husk and large rounded cusps and thick enamel aid grinding fruit and seeds. In addition, fruits can contain fiber, and thick enamel can help protect teeth from thick seeds from fruits. Their preferred foods include fruits, and their fallback foods include leaves and insects as well. They are strictly arboreal species, with very little terrestrial characteristics, seeing as their fruit in in a tree as opposed to the ground. Their diet influences group and individual sizes, and while they are not considered small species, they are certainly smaller than the Praeanthropus dimorphicus from site one. Frugivores are often smaller than folivores, as they have smaller body sizes, but bigger stomachs for digesting fruits and fibers. Due to the fact that they are arboreal, it requires that they be smaller to brachiate or move between trees. The Praeanthropus monomorphicus species coexist in smaller groups because their food is higher quality and nutritious with more of a limited supply (Jarman-Bell principle). Because of this sparse supply, territorially they can expand into other regions to find these limited fruits; however, smaller groups sizes make them susceptible to predation pressures, as they are smaller species that travel in smaller groups. Due to predation pressures, we would see precautions in territorial affairs and altruistic behaviors, utilizing signals to protect and benefit their families. With smaller groups we see intersexual selection as a mating system, where females choose mates as opposed to males scrambling and competing, probably due to the smaller group sizes where mates are seen as a limited resource for
From the first site we can infer certain …show more content…
This species displayed arboreal traits, low rounded cusps, thick enamel, and relatively equal male to female size ratio. Frugivores bunodont teeth and large incisors are ideal for opening fruit husk and large rounded cusps and thick enamel aid grinding fruit and seeds. In addition, fruits can contain fiber, and thick enamel can help protect teeth from thick seeds from fruits. Their preferred foods include fruits, and their fallback foods include leaves and insects as well. They are strictly arboreal species, with very little terrestrial characteristics, seeing as their fruit in in a tree as opposed to the ground. Their diet influences group and individual sizes, and while they are not considered small species, they are certainly smaller than the Praeanthropus dimorphicus from site one. Frugivores are often smaller than folivores, as they have smaller body sizes, but bigger stomachs for digesting fruits and fibers. Due to the fact that they are arboreal, it requires that they be smaller to brachiate or move between trees. The Praeanthropus monomorphicus species coexist in smaller groups because their food is higher quality and nutritious with more of a limited supply (Jarman-Bell principle). Because of this sparse supply, territorially they can expand into other regions to find these limited fruits; however, smaller groups sizes make them susceptible to predation pressures, as they are smaller species that travel in smaller groups. Due to predation pressures, we would see precautions in territorial affairs and altruistic behaviors, utilizing signals to protect and benefit their families. With smaller groups we see intersexual selection as a mating system, where females choose mates as opposed to males scrambling and competing, probably due to the smaller group sizes where mates are seen as a limited resource for