Mammal research and conservation is a vast subject. Studies and protection efforts are often aimed at a single species or a small number of species. In the topics that follow, you will find information about various areas of mammal study such as primatology, marine mammal research, carnivore research and many others.
Primate Research and Conservation
Primatology is the study of primates, the order of mammals that includes humans, apes, monkeys, tarsiers, and lemurs. Primatology examines the behavior, diet, evolution, and ecology of primates.The study of primate behavior has been pursued by many superb scientists. Jane Goodall is famous for her intense study and protection of the chimpanzees in Tanzania and the establishment of the Gombe Stream Research Center (GSRC). Dian Fossey studied a subspecies of the eastern gorilla (the mountain gorilla) in Rwanda until her murder in 1985. Dian Fossey established the Karisoke Research Center. You can find a wonderful recording of Dian Fossey speaking about her study of mountain gorillas at the Leaky Foundation audio archives.
The area of primate evolution has been influenced by many members of the Leaky family, who have made significant contributions to the study of human origins, primatology, paleontology, anthropology. For more information about primate evolution, please refer to:
The study of primate diet might involve:
- Direct observation: Researchers can observe wild primates' feeding behavior to determine what they eat. This approach is valuable but at times it can be challenging. Some primates are secretive and difficult to observe, especial once they procure a meal. And observations of captive animals is inaccurate, as many will eat a wide range of foods that they would not select in the wild.
- Examination of the shape and arrangement of teeth: The teeth of a primate offer clues about its diet. The shape of teeth reveal their function (incisors for cutting and tearing food, molars for grinding). The number of each kind offers information about probable food sources. For example, a primate that eats fruit has molars with rounded cusps while a primate that eats foliage has sharp, flat cusps primed for shearing the plant matter. Additionally, the wear patterns on the teeth indicate usage.
