Hogan M. Sherrow
Dept. of Anthropology
Yale University
51 Hillhouse Ave.
New Haven, CT 06520
hogan.sherrow@yale.edu
WALKER'S PRIMATES OF THE WORLD
Nowak, R. M. 2000. Walker's Primates of the World. Johns Hopkins
University Press.
In this latest edition of Walker's Primates of the World Nowak
provides comprehensive data on the world's extant and recently extinct
primates. The book begins with an extensive introduction by R.
Mittermeier, A. Rylands and W. Konstant that lays the foundation for the
descriptions that follow. Mittermeier, et al cover the major elements
depicted in detail by Nowak in a generalized form. From taxonomy and
patterns of diversity to conservation, the introduction provides the
reader with additional text that aids in the comprehension of the study of
primates. Nowak then moves on to systematically present fifteen Families
of primates in the rest of the book.
The descriptions begin with the Lorisidae and the other
Strepsirhines and continue on through the Haplorhines, culminating in the
Hominidae. At the end of the volume, Nowak has provided taxonomic,
morphological, physiological, behavioral and conservation data on 279
species of primate. Seven of these species are recently extinct and are
described based on interpretations of subfossil remains. Accompanying the
descriptions of the various primate taxa are black and white photographs
or illustrations that serve to visually document the characteristics
described in the text. The inclusion of a worldwide distribution of
primates, and an appendix that includes a geological time scale and
conversion tables and an extensive citation section further emphasizes the
completeness of this text.
Nowak's efforts have resulted in a volume of high utility. The
text is accessible enough to be understood and appreciated by the
layperson with an interest in primates, yet complete enough to serve as a
reference for students and researchers. Building upon the previous
installments of Primates of the World, Nowak includes new information in
an effort to keep the text up to date. The end product is a comprehensive
treatment of the Order Primates that can be appreciated by several
different audiences. Although I would recommend this book as a basic
reference for anyone with an interest in primates there are a few elements
of the text that I see as potential problems.
The introduction, while not written by Nowak, serves as an
important element of the volume. Overall it is an excellent introduction
to this volume and to the Order Primates. However, there are sections
that are not as clear as they could be. The terminology used to describe
primate social systems indicates an indifference to the number of females
residing in a social unit except in regards to the number of males
present. "Primate reproductive patterns and social units are also
diverse, ranging from monogamous, territorial families to large,
gregarious, multimale troops and to complex fission-fusion communities in
which associations change frequently based on the availability of food and
sexually receptive females" (p. 1). This misrepresents the complexity
observed in primate social interactions. Furthermore, the ambiguous use
of the terms "prosimians" and "strepsirhines" when discussing tarsier
phylogeny could mislead readers. These points are minor comments on a
good introduction that provides a historical perspective on primatology
and primate conservation.
Two issues regarding the images used in the text should be
discussed. First, the lack of color photos within the text may limit the
popularity of the book as a general reference. However, the use of black
and white images probably contributes greatly to the affordability of this
volume. Secondly, the reproduction and reuse of old photographs of
animals in captivity and zoos can be problematic (e.g. L. catta p. 74, A.
geoffroyi p. 100, G. gorilla p. 178-179). There is currently a large
enough photodatabase of many of these animals in the wild to limit the use
of images of captive individuals. The continued use of captive images
allows many to see all primates as potential zoo animals. In addition,
images of primates in a natural setting allows for better visualization of
the animals and their ecological and behavioral characteristics.
At times Nowak fails to include recent data regarding certain
taxa. In regards to Hylobates , Nowak states that "All species of gibbons
are monogamous," (p. 169). He fails to further explain that extra-pair
copulations have been observed in some populations of gibbons (Palombit
1994, Reichard 1995) and that this "monogamous" taxa might possess greater
flexibility in mating behavior than was previously thought. The section
on Gorilla relies heavily on data from berengei as little data exists for
gorilla and graueri . However, the current data for gorilla indicates
that the statement, "The smallest groups, averaging 4-8 members, are found
in the western lowland subspecies," (p. 181) is inaccurate (Remis 1997).
These examples appear to be the result of the lack of inclusion of some of
the recent data on these taxa.
Finally, the issue of progression should be discussed. At first
glance the text could be interpreted as presenting the Order Primates from
"most primitive" to "most advanced". Upon further examination, it is
apparent that the order in which taxa are presented is a logical one and
that humans are treated in an objective manner as the only living species
of the Family Hominidae.
While the elements discussed above can be problematic in a
reference text, they are minor flaws in an overall excellent, reference
volume. The approach is clear and concise and the information presented
is valuable and, in general, accurate. I will keep this volume on my
shelf as an important reference for many years to come and I highly
recommend it as a reference for other researchers and as a supplemental
text for courses on primates.
References Cited
Palombit, R. 1994. Extra-pair copulations in a monogamous ape. Animal
Behaviour. V47. P721-723.
Reichard, U. 1995. Extra-pair copulation in monogamous wild white-handed
gibbons (Hylobates lar). International Journal of Mammalian Biology.
V60. P186-188.
Remis, M. 1997. Ranging and grouping patterns of a western lowland gorilla
group at Bai Hokou, Central African Republic. American Journal of
Primatology. V43. P111-133.
HOW TO CITE THIS REVIEW:
Sherrow, Hogan. Review of Walker's Primates of the World by Ronald M. Nowak.
Baltimore, John Hopkins, 2000. Primate-Science Book Reviews,
Primate-Science Listserve. primate-science@primate.wisc.edu
(27 April, 2000).
URL: http://www.primate.wisc.edu/pin/review/hogan.html
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October 9, 2001
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