Bergmann's Rule Validity in Catarrhini

• Grant number: 21/04946-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2021
• End date: October 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Gabriel Henrique Marroig Zambonato
• Grantee: Adrian Satiro Sivilha
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Catarrhini is the group of primates that has the largest geographic distribution across the globe, also exhibiting great taxonomic and ecologic niche diversity. Therefore, size variation patterns can be observed in these monkeys and to comprehend them it is necessary to understand the interactions between internal and external factors that lead to their formation. Among the external factors, the climate would be one of the most influents since its interference reaches various aspects of life such as diet, growing and physiological activities. According to Bergmann's Rule, when comparing individuals with very similar biological characteristics (i.e., belonging to the same species or genus) the trend is such that the lower the temperature of the environment, the larger the body size. With that in mind, it is proposed to take Bergmann's Rule as basis and test its validity in Catarrhini, at the genus and species levels, aiming to expand the comprehension about the external factors, at this time the climate, which influence the different anatomical patterns observed on the primates. The sample to be used consists in more than 5700 adult specimens (~120 species; 28 genera). The relative body size of the specimens will be obtained through cranial measurements, and georeferenced data associated with the individuals present in the sample will be collected for the tests, that is latitude and longitude at which the specimens were collected, besides climatic data linked to these georeferenced data. Finally, correlation tests using the Pearson's correlation coefficient will be performed between: 1. Body size and latitude; and 2. Body size and climatic data, which shall be accompanied by tests of significance considering the limit value as "p d 0,05", in order to validate the obtained results.