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A large-scale study of 47 species of monkeys and lemurs has found that climate change is driving these tree-dwelling animals to the ground, where they are at higher risk due to lack of preferred food and shelter, and may experience more negative interactions with humans and domestic animals.
The study was led by Timothy Eppley and examined more than 150,000 hours. 118 co- authors from different institutions collaborated on this study.
"This study began with a discussion among colleagues about how we'd noticed certain populations of a primate spending more time on the ground," said Dr. Eppley.
The authors estimated the influence of ecological drivers on the level ofterrestriality in a primate. The study found that people who live in large social groups are more likely to descend. According to the authors, these characteristics act as a potential "pre-adaptation" to land. People living in hotter environments and with less canopy cover were more likely to shift to more extensive ground use.
Many of these species are already living in environments with less available food and water. The study suggests that primates consuming a more generalized diet and living in larger groups may be easier to adapt to as climate change gets worse.
It is possible that spending more time on the ground may cushion some primates from the effects of forest degradation and climate change, however, for the less-adaptable species, fast and effective strategies will be necessary to ensure their survival.
primate populations are less likely to descend to the ground if they are close to human infrastructures. According to Luca Santini, one of the two senior authors of the study, the presence of humans may interfere with the natural ability of the primate to adapt to global change.
Today's rapid changes are a serious threat and the transition from an arboreal to aterrestrial lifestyle has occurred before.
"Though similar ecological conditions and species characteristics may have influenced previous evolutionary shifts of arboreal primate, including hominins, to ground living, it is clear that the current pace of deforestation and climate change puts most primate species in peril," said Giuseppe Donati, PhD, of Oxford.
Nadine Lamberski, who was not involved in the study, commented on the large scale of the project.
The effort to convene 118 authors is extraordinary. It's a great example of the insights that can be gleaned and the strides that can be made when it's looked at on a global scale.
More information: Eppley, Timothy M., Factors influencing terrestriality in primates of the Americas and Madagascar, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2022). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2121105119. doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2121105119 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Provided by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
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