What term describes a primate that primarily consumes leaves?

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Study for the UCF ANT2511 Exam. Review detailed flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam now!

The term that describes a primate that primarily consumes leaves is folivore. Folivores are specialized herbivores that have adaptations for efficiently processing and digesting leaves, which can be tough and fibrous. Their diet requires adaptations such as specialized teeth for grinding and longer digestive tracts to break down the cellulose found in plant material. These primates often have unique physiological traits that allow them to extract sufficient nutrients from a leaf-based diet, making them reliant on this specific food source for their energy and nutrients.

In contrast, frugivores primarily eat fruit, insectivores focus on insects, and omnivores have a varied diet that includes both plant and animal matter, further clarifying why folivore is the correct choice for a primate that predominantly consumes leaves.