title: 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 rmrelative to body mass is then calculated by use of allometric analysis. Both rmand relative rmare 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 rmand climate parameters, those that are found suggest that variable climates, dry climates and hot climates will select for a high relative rm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anthropology, University of Durham, 43, Old Elvet, DH1 3HN, Durham, UK.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ross
keywords: Intrinsic rate of natural increase; Life-histories; Primates; r-and K-selection