ISSN:
0032-8332
Keywords:
Macaca fuscata
;
Koshima troop
;
Growth
;
Somatometry
;
Sexual maturation
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract The Japanese monkeys inhabiting Koshima islet were investigated morphologically, and compared with those living in other areas of Japan. The morphological features of the Koshima monkeys are thought to reflect many interrelated factors. Their body size is the smallest inMacaca fuscata fuscata. The lower latitude and the warmer winter of the islet represent the major factors in this small body size. Another physical characteristic is their longer limbs, which may be related to the same environmental factors. The adult males of the Koshima troop show the widest variation, while the variation in the adult females is the narrowest, among the troops ofMacaca fuscata examined. This may be explained either by sexually differentiated growth, that is, males continue to grow considerably after 8 years of age, whereas females do not; or by isolation, that is, males sometimes immigrate into or emigrate from the islet, whereas almost of all the females remain there. It was found that the influence of food limitations on body weight depends on sex and age; babies and juveniles, and adult males did not lose their body weight, but monkeys aged from 3 to 7 years and adult females had lost much weight compared to those of the same ages and sexes measured in 1963 (feeding was not limited). This fact may support the idea of “sex-age-class selection” proposed byMori (1979), but the weight loss pattern could be explained by changes of body composition with growth. The growth of the anterior trunk length, too, was restrained. Sexual maturation in males was delayed by at least one year.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02381892
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