Savanna Monkeys: The Genus Chlorocebus

Description

Living across Africa and the Caribbean, this widely dispersed primate population must adapt to different environmental challenges. How do members of the genus Chlorocebus live in desert-like conditions and in areas with freezing temperatures and snow in winter? This book examines the ways these primates adapt genetically, hormonally, physically and behaviourally to their changing landscapes. It features summary chapters for major topics such as behavioural ecology, life history, taxonomy, genetics and ethnoprimatology. Shorter essays supplement the work, with experts detailing their particular research on these primates. The combination of scholarship provides both a comprehensive view of this adaptable genus while enabling the reader to gain depth in specific topics. Developed from a symposium, this book combines decades of experience working with savanna monkeys into a tangible resource, for students and researchers in primatology as well as evolutionary and behavioural studies.

Trudy R. Turner is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and an Affiliated Faculty member in the Genetics Department at the University of the Free State, South Africa. She is co-founder of Primate Ecology and Genetics Group (PEGG), the South African Primatology Society. Christopher A. Schmitt is Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Biology at Boston University, where he is also affiliated faculty in the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Program. Jennifer Danzy Cramer is Associate Professor and Program Director of the Sociology, Anthropology, and Women's Studies Program at American Public University.

'Savanna monkeys are noted to be numerous and widespread across their range, perhaps the most numerous non-human primate. In terms of conservation biology it is well known that common species can suddenly undergo rapid and sometimes difficult to explain declines. Whilst savanna monkeys are not endangered and are still common, perhaps study and analysis could be directed to help keep them that way and research with this aim might benefit other less fortunate taxa.' Ray Heaton, Primate Eye 'The book arose from a symposium on savanna monkeys and is a well organised collection of 20 chapters ... which are usefully grouped together in six parts of the book: Introduction, Taxonomy, Population Genetics, Behavioural Ecology, Life Histories and Ethnoprimatology ... there are excellent chapters covering behavioural ecology.' Ray Heaton, The Primate Eye