Niche Differentiation in a Primate Community

Abstract

The six monkey and ape species in the Krau Game Reserve comprise a primate community, in the ecological rather than sociological sense, together filling the diurnal primate niche in this particular rain-forest. Between them they carve up the primate ‘cake’ into uneven slices according to the particular characteristics and requirements of each species. To understand better how these species are able to live sympatrically, and what special adaptations permit such coexistence, the authors, helped by two local field assistants, conducted a short but intensive survey of all higher primates in the Kuala Lompat study area between January and July 1973.