Summary
I assess the positional diversity characterizing the guenons and examine the correlation between locomotion and posture with other aspects of guenon biology including diet, body size and limb length. I discuss data from three field studies on six species representing most guenon species groups. Additional data on ground dwelling were culled from the literature. Results indicate that terrestriality varies widely among guenons. Current data indicate that Cercopithecus solatus may be the most ground-dwelling member of this group though additional data are needed for confirmation. Most guenons are predominately quadrupedal, most leap approximately 10% of the time and climbing is the most variable locomotor behavior. Climbing and leaping are not correlated with body size; intermembral index is a much better predictor of leaping. Certain elements of positional behavior are associated with guenon diets. Climbing is negatively correlated with fruit intake while species that eat more insects sit less and employ more transitional postures. Additional field studies are needed to understand more fully the diversity of positional behavior within the guenon radiation, and thus to allow more stringent tests of the relationships among locomotion, posture, diet, body size and limb length.
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McGraw, W.S. (2004). Diversity of Guenon Positional Behavior. In: Glenn, M.E., Cords, M. (eds) The Guenons: Diversity and Adaptation in African Monkeys. Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-48417-X_9
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