Title
Methods in Primate Nutritional Ecology: A User's Guide
Author(s)
Rothman, J. M.;Chapman, C. A.;van Soest, P. J.
Published
2012
Publisher
International Journal of Primatology
Abstract
An important goal of primatology is to identify the ecological factors that affect primate abundance, diversity, demography, and social behavior. Understanding the nutritional needs of primates is central to understanding primate ecology because adequate nutrition is a prerequisite for successful reproduction. Here, we review nutritional methods and provide practical guidelines to measure nutrient intake by primates in field settings. We begin with an assessment of how to estimate food intake by primates using behavioral observations. We then describe how to collect, prepare, and preserve food samples. Finally, we suggest appropriate nutritional assays for estimating diet nutritional quality and point to the merits and limitations of each. We hope this review will inspire primatologists to use nutritional ecology to answer many unresolved questions in primatology. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
Keywords
Energy;Feeding ecology;Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy;Protein

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PUB14639