Results References Methods Conclusion Introduction

Niche Partitioning, Diet, and Oral Processing Behaviors in Three Sympatric Guenons in the Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire Taylor Polvadore1, Erin E. Kane2, M. Alexandra Wilkins2, Frederic M. Gnepa3, David J.Daegling1, W. Scott McGraw2,3 1Department of Anthropology, University of Florida; 2Department of Anthropology, The Ohio State University; 3Tai Monkey Project, Taï, Côte d’Ivoire

Introduction

Results

The sympatric guenons in Côte d’Ivoire’s Taï National Park experience significant dietary overlap but coexist through ecological partitioning.1,6

Campbell’s Monkeys are chewing less per minute and per ingestive action than its congeners. • Explained by C. campbelli sample diet: • 56% invertebrate • 39% fruit

While cranial features have limited discriminatory power within Cercopithecus2, dental features sort guenon species better3. If similar cranial features reflect comparable functional performance, do guenons display broadly similar oral processing behaviors despite distinctive diets? Diana Monkeys (Cercopithecus diana) • Upper canopy5,6 • Significant amounts of fruit (70.9%)1,4 Campbell’s Monkeys (Cercopithecus campbelli) • Understory and ground5,6 • Mostly fruit (46.3%) and invertebrates (33.1%)4

C. diana

Conclusion

Lessor Spot Nosed Guenons chew more per ingestive action than its congeners. • Explained by C. petaurista sample diet: • 46% leaves

Campbell’s monkeys masticate at a lower frequency than that of their congeners (P = 0).

Guenons masticate invertebrates at a lower frequency than that of other foods (P = 0).

Diana Monkeys chew similarly per minute to Lessor Spot Nosed Guenons but chew less per ingestive action. • Explained by: • C. diana sample diet: 73% fruit • C. petaurista sample diet: 46% leaves but 41% invertebrates Working hypothesis: These guenons use similar feeding behaviors to process similar foods; however, overall differences in diet are reflected in species-specific oral processing profiles. We predict these differences will be reflected in future studies of their gnathic anatomy (bone material and structural properties).

C. campbelli

Photo Credit: Erin Kane

Lesser Spot Nosed Guenons (Cercopithecus petaurista) • Middle canopy6 • More foliage (39.7%) than the other guenons (