昆虫食を通じて拡がる世界－生態系における霊長類昆虫食の役割－

抄録

Most primates forage on insects to varying degrees. Research focusing on insect foraging behavior has been much less than that of feeding on plant foods. However, detailed studies on insect feeding behavior by primates are required to understand the effects of the relationship on the forest ecosystem. Such studies have revealed that various kinds of primates feed on insects, but the number of studies which have considered side effects of primate-insect relationships have been few. Such triadic relationships include 1) primate-insect-plant, and 2) primateinsect-parasite. Studies based on such viewpoints would lead to new perspective on the role of primate insectivory in forest ecosystems.