Stable isotope analyses:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Stable isotope analyses can be used to distinguish primates living in open versus closed forest habitats. This is because the stable isotope composition of plants varies depending on factors such as light and water availability, and these variations are reflected in the tissues of the animals that eat them. In general, animals that consume plants from open habitats tend to have higher ratios of certain isotopes (such as carbon-13), while those that consume plants from closed habitats tend to have lower ratios. By analyzing the ratio of isotopes in primate tissues (such as hair or teeth), researchers can get an idea of the type of environment the animals are living in.

Stable Isotope Analyses