Sleeping site selection of Francois’s langur (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trachypithecus francoisi</Emphasis>) in two habitats in Mayanghe National Nature Reserve,Guizhou, China |
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Authors: | Shuangling Wang Yang Luo Guofa Cui |
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Institution: | (1) Guangxi Forest Inventory and Planning Institute, Nanning, People’s Republic of China;(2) College of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People’s Republic of China;(3) China Programme, Fauna and Flora International, Nanning, People’s Republic of China |
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Abstract: | Sleeping site selection is an important aspect of the behavioral biology of primates. Comparison of different habitats for
the same species in this context enhances understanding of their adaptation to altered environments. We collected data on
sleep-related behaviors for 6 groups of Francois’s langur (Trachypithecus francoisi) in two habitats, in Mayanghe National Nature Reserve, Guizhou, China. Regardless of habitat, all sleeping sites were located
in areas of steep terrain of ≥60°. In undisturbed habitat, sleeping sites were located only in evergreen broadleaf forest
with rock caves and crevices surrounded mainly by a vegetation layer of shrub + rock. In disturbed habitat, sleeping sites
were also located in mixed evergreen and deciduous broadleaf forest and in grassland, including rock caves, crevices, and
pits, surrounded mainly by arbor + shrub and shrub + rock. Wild food availability was higher in undisturbed habitat than disturbed
habitat, but food abundance around sleeping sites was lower. Water sources included river and seasonal gully or pond. There
was strong positive correlation between use of sleeping sites away from the river valley and occurrence of seasonal water
sources. The number of sleeping sites varied across groups, numbering 6, 7, and 10 for three specific groups. Few sleeping
sites were used all year round. Six consecutive nights was the longest recorded run. Francois’s langurs’ sleeping habits differed
between two habitats. In undisturbed habitat, minimizing predation risk appeared to predominate, expressed by choosing steep
terrain, open visual field, and inconspicuous presleeping behavior. In disturbed habitat, along with predation avoidance,
food resources may strongly influence sleeping site selection, as demonstrated by the richer food abundance and greater foraging
activity around the site. Finally, water resources may influence choice of sites distant from the river; such sites were used
less frequently during water shortages. |
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