The expansion of primate distribution due to climate change

The most recent glacial age was about 22,000 years ago, and it lasted about 10,000 years. During this period, rainforests shrank, and forest distribution was limited to the vicinity of the equator. We call these remaining rainforests “refugia*.”

Then, from the second half of Miocene (about 10,000 years ago), the entire planet got colder and global aridification occurred. During this time, the average temperature fluctuated up and down during a short span. During the cold and dry glacial periods, rainforests narrowed, and savannahs and deserts expanded.

Some animal taxa, including primates, which had adapted to rainforests, were forced to make a choice: to remain in the refugia, or leave for the open savannahs.

■References (Books, papers, Web articles, etc.)
An Introduction to Tropical Rain Forests  T. C. Whitmore Oxford University Press; 2 edition (June 4, 1998)


*The specific areas in which many species survived during periods of harsh climate conditions, such as the glacial ages.


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