Researchers explain that predation is one of the major forces that have been influencing group existence of primates. Living in groups has been advantageous as it reduces the risk of predation through increased vigilance among the prey. Additionally, it has aided to minimize the risk of predation as living in clusters enhances security for every individual species. (Alexander, 1974). However, studies show that predation risk varies for different groups. For instance, unimale primate categories inhabit areas where there is a higher risk of predation compared to the multimale as the animals are considered weak thus a natural target for predators. At times, the frequent primate-predator interaction influences the rate of predation. For example, if the predator-primate interaction is high, then the chances of predation occurring become equivalently high.Therefore, I agree that primates form groups as a result of pressure from predators
According to Schiak (1989), he devised two theories as to why diurnal primates form groups. The main reason as to why this group of animals formed groups is for protection purposes mostly from predators. The gorillas, for instance, sense that the probability of being attacked while in a group is minimal compared to when they are by themselves. Forming groups aids to boost their security as their chance of getting attacked is minimal. Also, another primary reason is that when primates are in groups, they can easily notice predators from far compared to when they are as an individual.The other reason is that forming groups gives them a feeding advantage. Considering that these resources are scarce and the food is also limited feeding as a group provides an added benefit. Group feeding enables them to displace other primates and take over their feeding zones with much ease compared to when one is feeding alone. Besides, studies show that many male primate species inhabit in areas where predation risk is high as they are usually considered to be fearless and thus can protect the group from the predators and even attacks them. Security is generally needed in any group to ensure that predators are minimum and are scared to attack. However, groups of the female primates are usually considered vulnerable to an attack compared to a male primate group. Many comparisons and studies have been undertaken to prove this theory, and the results deduced indicated that where male primates species inhabit in plenty, the chances of predator attack is minimal ( Dunbar 1996).
According to Jablonski (2002), the pressure from predator has made primates to form and live in groups. Living in groups has caused the population of the orangutans to increase as they do not need to migrate to look for secure places to reside. More energy is saved and channeled to copulation hence their population increases rapidly. If they are denied the ability to form groups their population could have been limited as they could travel for long or also take more time in searching for a partner to copulate. Besides, predator threat usually is a cause of alarm not only to the primates but also to the other groups of animals. According to Terbogh and Janson (1986), they clearly state that most primates have always lived together as a family. Although predators influence this factor, it has always been their behavior to live as a group. However, predation has made the group form many large groups to have an added advantage compared to the other groups such as the predators' group. In any society, it is usually advisable to look for a weapon that gives you an added advantage over the other. Living in groups has given the primates a much-added advantage over the predators.
Research undertaken by Terbogh and Janson (1986) yielded results that most predators were not much interested in groups of primates. These predators were much more likely to attack primates who were by themselves compared to those in a group. They were more likely to face resistance from the group than from an individual primate. This factor made the primates to become advantageous while in groups than when alone. However, some predator used the isolation method and attacked the weaker primate in the group avoiding the stronger ones. This research gives us a clear picture on how the predators have influenced the primates to live as a group instead of living as individuals as more advantages are living as a group compared to living as an individual.
Conclusion
Primate's correlation times is abysmal and when not studied over a long time can be misleading. Many primates are considered social however there is a group that emerges that is not social hence can break the group living together. Some group members do bring the primates together for their advantage thus this can be confused by the role that predators play to make the primates live in groups. However, the part of these predators cannot be ignored as it is at its maximum in ensuring that the primates do live together (Dunbar, 1996). Additionally, predation risk was found to influence the group size. The group size was found to be largest in those areas where the predation risk was highest. Therefore, this can be explained by the role predation risk to group size plays. Additionally, studies show that if the rate of predation was high, then the group size was large and vice versa.
References
Alexander, R.D. (1974). The Evolution of Social Behavior. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 5: 325±383.
Dunbar, R. I. M. (1996). Determinants of group size in primates: a general model. InEvolution of social behavior patterns in primates and man: 33±57. Maynard Smith, J., Runciman,W. G. & Dunbar, R. I. M. (Eds). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Schiak C. P.(1989) why are diurnal primates living in groups? behavior 87:120-144
Terbogh j. And Janson C.H. (1986) The Socioecology of Primate Groups. Annual review ofecology and systematics.17:111-136
Jablonski, N. G. (2002) fossil old world monkeys: the late Neogene radiation. In W. C.Hartwig(ed) The Primate Fossil Record Cambridge: Cambridge university press, pp255-299
