In Primate Socioecology: Shifting Perspectives, UC Davis Professor of Anthropology Lynne A. Isbell unravels the mystery of why some primates live alone while others live in pairs or groups — a question that has perplexed scientists for decades. 

Her new approach diverges from the traditional focus on predation pressure as the main determinant of primate social organization to reveal deeper ecological causes of primate behavior. The implications of this shift are profound, underscoring the critical importance of a behavioral-ecological mechanism in which varying movement strategies affect which females share their home ranges and ultimately pointing to a new functional classification system for primate social organizations.

Useful as both an introduction to primate socioecology and for those seeking a robust examination of the topic, Primate Socioecology addresses scientific debates about primate social organizations and invites researchers to question long-held assumptions.

Access the book at the Johns Hopkins University Press