Dietary ethanol ingestion by free-ranging spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi)
Overview
Paper Summary
This study found that wild spider monkeys on Barro Colorado Island, Panama, consume fruits of *Spondias mombin* containing 1-2% ethanol, a byproduct of yeast fermentation. Analysis of urine samples further suggests that the monkeys metabolize this ethanol. There was no evidence that monkeys selectively avoided fruits with higher ethanol content.
Explain Like I'm Five
Spider monkeys eat fruit containing small amounts of alcohol produced by yeast, and their pee shows signs they're actually digesting it.
Possible Conflicts of Interest
None identified
Identified Limitations
Rating Explanation
This study provides novel evidence of natural ethanol consumption by wild primates, adding to our understanding of primate foraging behavior and potential evolutionary implications for human alcohol consumption. While the sample sizes are small for some aspects and limited to one location/fruit species, the combined chemical analysis of fruit and urine samples makes a compelling case.
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