Protein powers spider monkeys and humans
20 May 2009Behavioural ecologists working in Bolivia have found that wild spider monkeys control their diets in a similar way to humans, contrary to what has been thought up to now. Rather than trying to maximize their daily energy intake, the monkeys tightly regulate their daily protein intake, so that it stays at the same level regardless of seasonal variation in the availability of different foods. The research is published in the journal Behavioral Ecology.
From the paper: Protein content of diets dictates the daily energy intake of a free-ranging primate, Annika M. Felton, Adam Felton, David Raubenheimer, Stephen J. Simpson, William J. Foley, Jeff T. Wood, Ian R. Wallis, and David B. LindenmayerBehavioral Ecology, Advance Access published on May 19, 2009
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