Daily protein prioritization and longterm nutrient balancing in a dietary generalist, the blue monkey

Animals must make dietary choices to achieve adequate nutrient intake, however it is challenging to study in the field such nutritional strategies in wild populations. We explored the nutritional strategy of a generalist social primate, the blue monkey (Cercopithecus mitis). We hypothesized that females balance the intake of nutrients, specifically non-protein energy and available protein (hereafter, protein), both on a daily and long-term basis. When balancing was not possible, we expected subjects to prioritize constant protein intake, allowing non-protein energy to vary more. To understand the ecology of nutrient balancing, we examined how habitat use, food availability, diet composition, social dominance rank and reproductive demand influenced nutrient intake. Over 9 months, we conducted 371 all-day focal follows on 24 adult females in Kakamega Forest, Kenya. Subjects exhibited short- and long-term nutritional strategies. On a daily basis, they balanced non-protein energy to protein...