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| Robinson, J.G.; Redford, K.H. | |
| Body size, diet, and population variation on neotropical forest mammal species: predictors of local extinction? | |
| 1989 Advances in Neotropical Mammalogy (1989): 567-594 | |
The interrelationships among body size, diet, and population variation was examined in a sample of 103 Neotropical forest mammals. Population variation was measured by the coefficient of variation (CV) of samples taken mostly at different locations, which therefore measures variation through space and not through time. Within narrowly defined taxonomic groups, body mass is an excellent predictor of diet. Across taxonomic groups, body mass is a poor predictor. Nevertheless, there is a general association of body mass and diet. Large body mass characterized species with high quality diets, and those whose diet allows them access to large quantities of food. Populations were more variable in larger species. There was little effect of diet on population variability. We suggest that the high variation in densities with location exhibited by large-bodied species is the result of the susceptibilities of these species to hiuman disturbance, and makes them more vulnerable to extinction. |
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