Environmental correlates of the intrinsic rate of natural increase in primates

Abstract

The intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) is calculated for 72 primate species, using Cole's (1954) equation. The value of rm relative to body mass is then calculated by use of allometric analysis. Both rmand relative rm are used to test the prediction that animals in unpredictable and/or harsh habitats will have a higher rmthan will those in more predictable and/or less harsh habitats. No significant link between habitat type and rmis found. However, correlations between ecology and relative rmsuggest that relative rmis high in primate species living in more open habitats and low in species found in primary rainforest. Although there are few correlations between relative rm and climate parameters, those that are found suggest that variable climates, dry climates and hot climates will select for a high relative rm. © 1992 Springer-Verlag.