SIZE INFLUENCES ON PRIMATE LOCOMOTION AND BODY SHAPE, WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE LOCOMOTION OF SMALL MAMMALS

The mechanical laws which make possible several characteristic and wel l-known modes of primate locomotion are reviewed. Biological requireme nts are fulfilled in small and in large primates by utilizing differen t mechanical principles. On the basis of the mechanics, special morpho logical traits can be identified which are advantageous for performing these locomotor modes, and which determine different lifestyles. Thes e morphological 'adaptations' consequently are different in larger and smaller primates. The divergence between large and small forms is cla rified by the inclusion of non-primate mammals into the comparisons.