Recognition of Individuals by Vervet Monkeys

Abstract

bromeliads (Tillandsia), epiphytes often occupied by typical plethodontids in tropical cloud forest, temperatures varied spatially by no more than 2?C at any one time and by no more than 2.5?C throughout a day (Figure lb). A similar pattern is evident within a characteristic microhabitat of tropical salamanders at low elevations, the outermost leaf axils of banana plants (Musa). The banana plant that was studied was more diverse in microclimates than the bromeliads considered previously. Temperatures beneath the outermost leaf sheaths differed by 2.2-3.7?C from the sunlit to the shaded side of the plant. Nonetheless, compared with the range of temperatures in the habitat at large, this range was small. The limited thermal diversity of typical salamander microhabitats is in accord with the findings of a companion study, which also suggest that tropical (and temperate) salamanders are often unable to exercise a thermal preference because of thermal homogeneity. Also in Ecology 63(6), Feder and Lynch reported that body temperatures of plethodontid salamanders varied regularly and consistently with altitudinal, latitudinal, and seasonal changes in temperature. Even so, plethodontids seldom experience extreme temperatures, perhaps because the moist microhabitats to which plethodontids are restricted are generally moderate in temperature (Figure lb). This study emphasizes the extent to which the hydric relations of amphibians may structure many other aspects of their biology. Because of their permeable integument and high surface to volume ratio, plethodontid salamanders may be unable to exploit more exposed microhabitats in which temperature selection might be feasible or to bask without incurring lethal desiccation. Physiological rather than behavioral compensation for changes in body temperature may thus be especially important to lungless salamanders. i of a PBT from a diversity of temperatures. W thin liads (Ti landsia), epiphytes often occupied b typical ontids in tropical cloud forest, temperatures varied i ll by no more than 2?C at any one time and by no more .5?C throughout a day (Figure lb). A s milar pattern is t ithin a characteristic microhabitat of tropical sala-