What dietary classification defines the primary feeding habit of the Lagothrix genus monkeys?
Answer
Frugivorous
The ecological role and physiological requirements of the woolly monkeys are largely dictated by their diet, which is classified as primarily frugivorous. This means that the bulk of their nutrition is derived from consuming ripe fruits available in their forest habitat. This reliance on fruit biomass places a significant, specific selective pressure on the forest structure itself, as these large primates act as crucial seed dispersers. By consuming large quantities of fruit and subsequently transporting seeds over long distances throughout the fractured Amazonian landscape, they play an important role in maintaining the genetic connectivity and overall health of the plant populations within their range.

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