Primate Biomes

Question 1

Biome

Answer 1

a major community, classified by the predominant vegetation, such as grassland or rainforest and characterized by adaptations of life to that particular environment

Question 2

Biome Implications

Answer 2

Because not all biomes will be able to support the same number and types of animals, animals (primates) living in different biomes have developed different strategies for survival

Question 3

Major Primate Biomes

Answer 3

Major primate biomes of the Earth are Tropical, but habitats can be quite different; Temperature and Precipitation determine major terrestrial Biomes; Depends on location- close to the equator or further away affects day length, climate, etc

Question 4

Tropical

Answer 4

Located between the Tropic of Capricorn and Tropic of Cancer; Average Temperature (C)20-30, Annual Precipitation (cm) ~50-500; Three types:

• Tropical Rainforest
• Tropical Deciduous Forest
• Tropical Grasslands

Question 5

Tropical Rainforest

Answer 5

-High rainfall - High temps
-100in (8+ ft) of rainfall/yr - constant amount/month
Temps consistent high
-Most plant species are evergreen (dont have seasonal changes)
-Layers: Emergent: full sun all day
-Canopy: arboreal highway 3/4 sun, trees don’t overlap
-Understory: 1/2 sun
-Shrub/Forest floor: 1/4 sun- very little sun - dark

Question 6

Tropical Dry Forest

Answer 6

• less canopy
• seasonal trees
• less trophic levels
• Fewer forest layers; trees further apart w/few continuous canopy
• More seasonal rainfall and thus food availability is more seasonal

Question 7

Challenges of Tropical Dry Forest

Answer 7

• Locomotor challenges: stratification reduced and trees further apart w/few continuous canopies
• Dietary challenges: more seasonal foods
• Predators and other dangers (raptors, carnivores, snakes)

Question 8

Tropical Grassland (savanna)

Answer 8

• Lots of biomass- big animals big herds not a lot of biodiversity
• Rainfall here is reduced (10-30in/yr) and very seasonal -Temps are stable
• Fewer niches=less species biodiversity (# of species) than in the tropical rainforest
• But density (# of animals of any species) is much greater
• Trees are present but tend to be sparsely distant w/grasses the most conspicuous plant

Question 9

Challenges for Tropical Grasslands

Answer 9

• Sleeping sites (rocky outcrops)
• Seasonal food (spikey foods, galls w/ants)
• Predators (leopards, lions, hyenas, raptors)

Question 10

Temperate Forests

Answer 10

• Of the 200 species of primates, only a few are able to live in this habitat
• There are 4 definite seasons
• Most of the trees lose their leaves in the winter
• Rainfall varies considerably

Question 11

Challenges for Temperate Forests

Answer 11

• leafless trees create food challenges
• Thermal challenges and cold temps
• Limiting factors include predators, drastic seasonal foods and the climate itself

Question 12

Challenges for Tropical Rainforest

Answer 12

-Dietary challenges:
Secondary compounds - poisons in leafs
Mechanical Properties of foods - like nuts
-Predators: Harpy eagle, tigers, poisonous snakes