Seasonal Effects on Play Behavior in Immature <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saimiri sciureus</Emphasis> in Eastern Amazonia |
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Authors: | Anita I Stone |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biology, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI 49401, USA |
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Abstract: | Play behavior is prevalent among most mammalian young, particularly primates. Though several hypotheses address the function
of play, researchers have documented information on the potential costs of play and of environmental effects on the occurrence
of primate play less well during long-term field studies. I examine seasonal changes in play behavior of immature squirrel
monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) across 4 age classes: infants, young juveniles, mid-juveniles, and late juveniles. I observed individuals during 12 mo in
Eastern Brazilian Amazonia, an area characterized by highly seasonal rainfall. Play was strongly tied to seasonality, food
availability, and changes in diet. The percentage of time spent playing was reduced in the dry season, a period characterized
by low fruit availability and an increase in time spent foraging for prey. I suggest that the decrease in play behavior in
the dry season is related both to a higher need for energy conservation and to increased time expended in foraging activities. |
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Keywords: | energy costs juvenile play seasonality |
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