Felton, Annika
- Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
In this chapter, we describe several different hypotheses in nutritional ecology and use them as a theoretical platform by which to tease apart the nutritional factors shaping primate food choice. By doing so, we answer questions about the role of macro- and micronutrients in the lives of primates. Where do folivores, frugivores and insectivores find the proteins, carbohydrates, and fats that they need to survive? Does any one of these macronutrients play a bigger role than another in governing their diet choices? Or is it all about energy? We also discuss the importance of the protein-to-fiber ratio in leaves which has long been used to explain primate diet choices and fitness and summarize the little that is known about the role of micronutrients in primate nutritional ecology. We conclude that there is a promising trend in the field of primate nutritional ecology that involves viewing diet selection within a multidimensional framework. Thanks to this trend, we are provided with interesting new findings about the nutritional underpinnings of primate food choice, which yield important insights for primate evolution, physiology, habitat restoration, and conservation.
Keywords
Protein; carbohydrate; fat; mineral; vitamin; food quality; nutritional balancing
Published in
Title: How Primates Eat : A Synthesis of Nutritional Ecology across a Mammal Order
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
SLU Authors
UKÄ Subject classification
Ecology
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.7208/chicago/9780226829746.003.0002
- ISBN: 9780226829739
- eISBN: 9780226829746
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/143532