Primate energy expenditure and life history.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
; 111(4): 1433-7, 2014 Jan 28.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24474770
Humans and other primates are distinct among placental mammals in having exceptionally slow rates of growth, reproduction, and aging. Primates' slow life history schedules are generally thought to reflect an evolved strategy of allocating energy away from growth and reproduction and toward somatic investment, particularly to the development and maintenance of large brains. Here we examine an alternative explanation: that primates' slow life histories reflect low total energy expenditure (TEE) (kilocalories per day) relative to other placental mammals. We compared doubly labeled water measurements of TEE among 17 primate species with similar measures for other placental mammals. We found that primates use remarkably little energy each day, expending on average only 50% of the energy expected for a placental mammal of similar mass. Such large differences in TEE are not easily explained by differences in physical activity, and instead appear to reflect systemic metabolic adaptation for low energy expenditures in primates. Indeed, comparisons of wild and captive primate populations indicate similar levels of energy expenditure. Broad interspecific comparisons of growth, reproduction, and maximum life span indicate that primates' slow metabolic rates contribute to their characteristically slow life histories.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Primates
/
Metabolismo Energético
/
Estadios del Ciclo de Vida
Tipo de estudio:
Health_economic_evaluation
Límite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Año:
2014
Tipo del documento:
Article
Pais de publicación:
Estados Unidos