霊長類の種分化と学習 : マカク属を中心にして

概要

論文の詳細を見る
To make the primate evolution clear is the one of main purpose in primatology. Speciation is an important aspect of evolution. When a species is defined as a group of interbreeding natural pupulations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups, a study of speciation must involve an examination of reproductive isolating mechanisms. What kind of the mechanisms do work in a primate speciation? Is there any unique mechanism in primates, exhibiting great encephalization and excellent learning abilities? These questions are discussed in case of genus Macaca. Behavioral isolating mechanism seems to be the most probable mechanism for the genus. In the application of the mechanism to the genus, however, it seems to be necessary to expand the meaning of behavioral isolation. Because, macaque monkeys can learn a species concept and discriminate a species from the others with the concept. And also they can recognize their conspecifics. The ability to make such discrimination may be an important factor in behavioral isolation in genus Macaca. This expanded behavioral isolating mechanism through a species discrimination learning is named as the “psychological isolating mechanisms”. This mechanism may have an important meaning in the human evolution.