Application of Stable Isotope Analyses to Primate Ecology: A Review

Abstract

Stable isotope analyses are now widely used for estimation of diet, habitat use, and migration in ecology, and are especially useful for species that cannot be observed directly. Although most primate species can be habituated and observed directly, stable isotope analysis provides supporting and complementary evidence for ecological studies of such species. In this review, stable isotopic methodologies are introduced in Japanese for researchers in primate ecology. Elements and tissues that are typically used in stable isotope ecology are explained. Several previous works that applied stable isotope analyses to primate ecology are reviewed briefly, and possible future research avenues are also described. Some points that need consideration in the application of stable isotopic methodologies are also discussed. Because the quality and quantity of samples are important in stable isotope analysis, collaboration of researchers in primate ecology and stable isotope ecology is recommended prior to sample collection. The application of stable isotope analyses to primate ecology can expand with advances in analytical techniques.