What is the fundamental trade-off presented when woolly monkey troops forage in larger groups?
Answer
Better defense against predators but increased competition for localized fruit patches
Woolly monkey social dynamics involve a constant balancing act regarding troop size relative to resource availability and safety. While residing in larger groups, typically numbering between 10 and 30 individuals, offers significant advantages such as enhanced defense mechanisms against predators like harpy eagles or large cats, this benefit comes at a cost. Larger numbers intensify the competition for localized, temporary patches of fruit. If the resource density drops too low due to high demand, the troop is often forced to fracture into smaller foraging units to cover more ground efficiently and avoid immediate food scarcity.
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