Seed‐eating by West African cercopithecines, with reference to the possible evolution of bilophodont molars

Abstract

Data on tooth use in eating fruits and seeds were collected on 12 West African monkeys representing five species of cercopithecines, Cercopithecus aethiops, Cercopithecus campbelli, Cercocebus atys, Erythrocebus patas, and Papio papio. Field observations and information in the published literature were used to select fruits for captive feeding trials. A total of over 27,000 tests were conducted to determine the preferences of the monkeys for 78 fruits. Data were collected on the selection of fruit parts, as well as tooth use, in eating 88 fruit species. All five monkey species had remarkably similar fruit part preferences. Seeds were eaten in 86% of the tested fruits and represent the fruit part most frequently eaten by all the tested monkeys. With few exceptions, molars were used to puncture and crush the seeds. It is suggested that the development of bilophodont molars might be an adaptation by Old World monkeys to seed predation. Given their large size relative to other arboreal frugivores, seed predation could provide a dietary niche for Old World monkeys.

Early cercopithecid monkeys from the Tugen Hills, Kenya

“…In fact, among extant cercopithecids, small species are more likely to triturate and digest seeds than to swallow them whole (35). The specialized colobine stomach aids considerably in digesting seeds (26,35), and on present evidence, it seems a viable hypothesis that it evolved initially for this purpose (26,34).…”

“…It has been suggested that the initial changes in the colobine dentition may have been partly an adaptation to seed processing (3,28,33,34). The mosaic evolution of colobine molar traits now evident in the fossil record indicates that the first features to evolve were those related to the maintenance of tall, sharp, and broad wedge-like lophids (decreased flare, deep notches, tall cusps, broader and subequal mesial/distal lophids), whereas very high cusps, low crowns, and shearing crest development evolved much later in time (3).…”

Preliminary examination of non-occlusal dental microwear in anthropoids: Implications for the study of fossil primates

“…As in studies of the dental morphology (Benefit, 1987, 19951, and occlusal (Lucas and Teaford, 1994;Teaford and Leakey, 19921, this would seem to lend further support to the idea that the last common ancestor of cercopithecoids included significant amounts of fruit, tubers, or perhaps even seeds in its diet (Benefit, 1987;Happel, 1988;Kay, 1977;Lucas and Teaford, 1994;Temerin and Cant, 1983).…”

Geza Teleki and the Emergence of Sierra Leone's Wildlife Conservation Movement

“…Indeed during that period, Outamba-Kilimi was one of WWF-US's largest programs worldwide and the organization was likely the biggest supporter of Teleki's efforts at that time. Teleki subsequently acted as the director of the park between 1981 and 1984, and research on wildlife was initiated in the area during this period (for example, Harding and Harding 1982;Harding 1984;Zug 1987;Happel, 1988;Teleki et al 1990). …”