A comparative study of basal metabolism and thermoregulation in a folivorous (Colobus guereza) and an omnivorous (Cercopithecus mitis) primate species

Müller, Ewald F; Kamau, John; Maloiy, G. M. O.

doi:10.1016/0300-9629(83)90608-4

Cited by 69 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The oxygen demands in nonhuman primates appear to relate to the mode and type of feeding (McNab, 1978). The basal metabolic rate and oxygen consumption in the colobus monkey (Colobus guereza), which is mainly folivorous (Oates et al, 1977;Rose, 19781, was lower than that of the Syke's monkey (C. mitis) (Muller et al, 1983), which is omnivorous (Rudran, 1978;Schlichte, 1978). McNab (1978McNab ( , 1986 suggested that folivorous mammals should have a low basal metabolic rate, mainly due to the low energy content of their food, as an adaptation to conserve energy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Morphology and morphometry of the normal lung of the adult vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops)

Maina

1988

Am. J. Anat.

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The lungs of four adult specimens of the vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops) have been examined by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. A morphometric evaluation of the structural components directly involved in gas exchange has been carried out and the data have been modelled to estimate the anatomical diffusing capacity of the lung. The upper air-conducting airways of the lung were lined by an epithelium characterized by ciliated cells among which were dispersed goblet cells. The alveolar surface was lined by squamous type I pneumocytes and cuboidal type II granular pneumocytes. The blood-gas (tissue) barrier consisted of an epithelial cell, a common basal lamina, and an endothelial cell in the thin parts of the interalveolar septum. In the thicker parts of the septum, an interstitial space interposed between the basal laminae of the epithelial and endothelial cells contained supportive elements such as collagen, elastic tissue, and fibrocytes. The alveoli, the blood capillaries, and septal tissue composed 73%, 16%, and 11%, respectively, of the parenchyma. The harmonic and arithmetic mean thicknesses of the blood-gas (tissue) barrier were 0.311 micron and 1.048 microns; the surface area of the blood-gas (tissue) barrier per unit body weight was 50 cm2g-1, and the surface density was 117 mm2.mm3-1. The weight-specific total morphometric diffusing capacity was 0.11 mlO2 (sec.mbar.kg)-1. In comparison, the pulmonary morphometric characteristics of vervet monkey lung were superior to those of the other primates (Macaca irus, M. mulatta, and Homo sapiens) for which equivalent data are available. The gas-exchange potential of the lungs of the nonhuman primates as revealed by morphometric studies surpasses that of man, a feature that can be attributed to the relatively less energetic human lifestyle.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Morphology and morphometry of the normal lung of the adult vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops)

Maina

1988

Am. J. Anat.

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“…Among primates, for example, the BMR of the black-and-white colobus has been reported as 15~ lower than the predicted value (MILLER et al, 1983). The proboscis monkey is larger than any other colobine (CHtVERS & HADLIK, 1980), and might therefore be expected to have the lowest metabolic rate.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Feed intake, digestion and passage of the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) in captivity

1992

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ABSTRACT. Feeding trials were conducted with a troop of six proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) at the New York Zoological Park to quantify aspects of digestive physiology. Diets consumed comprised, on an as-fed basis, 55~ browse and green produce, 1107o fruit, 9070 commercial primate diets, 9070 root vegetables, and 1607o miscellaneous items. Total feed intake averaged 1207o of body mass; dry matter intake was 307o. Dry matter and plant cell wall disappearance exceeded 80070. Passage marker studies (three 6-day trials) revealed: transit time = 14 hr; mean passage time = 49 hr; and 5-8007o retention time = 52 hr. Digestion coefficients and retention times were greater than expected based on body size. These results might reflect the low fiber content of the diets fed, or alternatively, provide evidence that proboscis monkeys are efficient digesters of cell wall constituents.

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“…Unfortunately, the data on basal metabolic rate in primates are extremely limited (MULLER et al, 1983;HILDWEIN • GOFFART, 1975). MCNAB (1978) suggested that arboreal mammals which feed on leaves should have low basal metabolic rates.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Reproductive strategies of primates: The influence of body size and diet on litter size

1990

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ABSTRACT. The frequency of multiple births, life history parameters, body size, and diet characteristics were obtained from the literature for 70 primate species. The general pattern within the primate order is to have single infant litters, yet multiple births regularly occur in a number of species in specific phylogenetic groups. Primates which have large litters tend to be small, have short gestation periods and give birth to small infants, which are weaned quickly, and mature rapidly. Species in which multiple births are common also have short interbirth intervals and in the Callitricbidae have males which exhibit paternal care. In addition, they are commonly insectivorous. Although it is difficult to isolate the effects of diet on litter size, independent of body size, analyses suggest that after the influence of body size is statistically removed, as the proportion of insects in the diet increases, animals have larger litters. We suggest that by adopting a mixed diet of insects and fruit primates may be able to ensure access to a seasonally stable food resource that is not greatly restricted by the presence of toxins. This diet would allow a relatively high metabolism and facilitate large litters.

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A comparative study of basal metabolism and thermoregulation in a folivorous (Colobus guereza) and an omnivorous (Cercopithecus mitis) primate species

Cited by 69 publications

References 15 publications

Morphology and morphometry of the normal lung of the adult vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops)

Morphology and morphometry of the normal lung of the adult vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops)

Feed intake, digestion and passage of the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) in captivity

Reproductive strategies of primates: The influence of body size and diet on litter size

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