KAMILAR, JM; PATEL , BA*; Stony Brook University; Stony Brook University: Ecological and behavioral correlates of fore- and hind-limb lengths in primates

Different hypotheses have been proposed for the evolution of relatively long limbs in some mammalian groups. One proposal suggests that the relatively long limbs observed in carnivores, ungulates and primates are related to locomotor performance (i.e., increased efficiency): long limbs evolved to lower cost of transport by increasing stride lengths and lowering stride frequencies. By increasing locomotor performance, animals could increase their daily travel distances and home ranges to expand access to a greater diversity and abundance of resources. Many mammalian behavioral studies, however, have shown that day and home ranges are influenced by many variables, not just limb length. Recently, Harris & Steudel (J. Zool., 1997) investigated the behavioral and ecological correlates of limb lengths in carnivores and found that most of these variables, other than body mass, are not correlated with limb lengths. The present study follows this work by investigating a variety of ecological and behavioral variables to determine their relationship with fore- and hind-limb length in quadrupedal primates. Primates are a suitable study group because the morphology, behavior and ecology of many taxa have been well-documented in the wild. Data were analyzed using phylogenetic independent contrasts and multiple regression techniques. Results indicated that body mass was correlated with many variables including limb length, day and home range size, group size, diet, and substrate preference. When the effect of body mass was removed, there was no predictive relationship between limb length and any of the behavioral or ecological variables. These results corroborate previous studies of other mammalian groups and suggest that long limb lengths may not have evolved for foraging efficiency.