Morphological variation in the genus Chlorocebus

Ecogeographic and anthropogenically mediated variation in body mass, postcranial morphology, and growth

Bibliographic Data

ID8319945
AuthorsT R Turner (0000-0001-8615-442X, Department of Anthropology University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee Milwaukee Wisconsin 53201, corresponding author), Christopher A Schmitt (0000-0003-2143-9226, Department of Anthropology Boston University Boston Massachusetts 02215), Jennifer D Cramer (0000-0002-5295-5824, American Public University System), Joseph Lorenz (Department of Anthropology and Museum Studies Central Washington University Ellensburg Washington, DC 98926), Joseph G Lorenz (Central Washington University), J Paul Grobler (0000-0002-5913-7031, Department of Genetics University of the Free State Bloemfontein FS South Africa), Clifford J Jolly (CSHO, Department of Anthropology New York University, and NYCEP New York New York 10003), Nelson B Freimer (0000-0003-3586-6587, Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, University of California—Los Angeles Los Angeles California 90095)
Year2018
Volume166
Issue3
Pages682-707
Publication date2018-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-9483 • E-ISSN: 1096-8644
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajpa.23459
PMID29577231
OpenAlexW2792065916
LanguageEN
Citations received12
References cited108

OBJECTIVES: Direct comparative work in morphology and growth on widely dispersed wild primate taxa is rarely accomplished, yet critical to understanding ecogeographic variation, plastic local variation in response to human impacts, and variation in patterns of growth and sexual dimorphism. We investigated population variation in morphology and growth in response to geographic variables (i.e., latitude, altitude), climatic variables (i.e., temperature and rainfall), and human impacts in the vervet monkey (Chlorocebus spp.). METHODS: We trapped over 1,600 wild vervets from across Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean, and compared measurements of body mass, body length, and relative thigh, leg, and foot length in four well-represented geographic samples: Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, and St. Kitts & Nevis. RESULTS: We found significant variation in body mass and length consistent with Bergmann's Rule in adult females, and in adult males when excluding the St. Kitts & Nevis population, which was more sexually dimorphic. Contrary to Rensch's Rule, although the South African population had the largest average body size, it was the least dimorphic. There was significant, although very small, variation in all limb segments in support for Allen's Rule. Females in high human impact areas were heavier than those with moderate exposures, while those in low human impact areas were lighter; human impacts had no effect on males. CONCLUSIONS: Vervet monkeys appear to have adapted to local climate as predicted by Bergmann's and, less consistently, Allen's Rule, while also responding in predicted ways to human impacts. To better understand deviations from predicted patterns will require further comparative work in vervets

Astronomy · Biology · Genus · Geography · Morphology (biology) · Physics · Postcrania · Taxon · Variation (astronomy) · Zoology · Ecology · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology · Primate Behavior and Ecology · Species Distribution and Climate Change

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