《黑叶猴的行为生态与保护生物学》书评

黑叶猴是分布于我国广西、贵州、重庆南部和越南北部喀斯特石山特有的灵长类,全世界不足2000只,其中四分之三以上分布在我国。黑叶猴隶属于哺乳纲灵长目猴科疣猴亚科乌叶猴属,该属是疣猴亚科种类最多的一个属,共有20个种。根据系统演化,这个属可以分为戴帽叶猴种组、郁乌叶猴种组、银叶猴种组和黑叶猴种组,其中黑叶猴种组包括了我国的黑叶猴、白头叶猴、越南的金头叶猴、德氏叶猴、越南乌叶猴、印支乌叶猴和老挝乌叶猴,这7个种只生活在喀斯特石山环境,所以它们又被称为石山叶猴,其中黑叶猴扩散能力最强,是分布范围最广和分布纬度最高的种类。     

挑战喀斯特石山生存极限的白头叶猴

说起喀斯特石山,人们的脑海里很快会联想到美丽的桂林山水。的确,桂林山水就是喀斯特石山美的代表,几个典型的景点全面地展示了喀斯特石山环境的特点,比如坐落于广西师范大学校园的独秀峰、位于漓江江畔的象鼻山,又如漓江岸边挺立的巨幅画面,悬崖峭壁上隐隐约约显现出骏马的身姿,引来了无数观光客竞猜骏马的数量。人们充分和尽情地享受喀斯特石山的险峻美和艺术想像美,但就在另一片喀斯特石山,一种灵长类动物——白头叶猴却正为这样险峻的生存环境苦苦奋斗。     

白头叶猴食谱与觅食时间分配的研究

白头叶猴生活在喀斯特石山环境 ,以树叶为食。对其进行跟踪观察表明白头叶猴有食物 42种 ,其中乔木占 42 .8% ,灌木占 2 6.1 % ,藤本占 2 1 .5% ,草本占 9.6% ,食物组成中树叶占63%— 95% ,果实占 5%— 35% ,花占 0— 6%。白头叶猴有两种觅食方式 ,每天猴群有觅食高峰 2次。白头叶猴觅食的持续时间占日活动时间分配的比例在一年中有季节性变化 ,表现为夏天低冬天高 ,分别为 1 0 .0 3% (6月份 )— 2 3.2 1 % (1 2月份 ) ,这与食物的丰盛状况有关。     

白头叶猴及其觅食生物

白头叶猴仅分布在我国广西南部四县境内的喀斯特石山地区,数量少,分布范围狭窄,栖息环境特殊,白头叶猴偏爱植物丰富的山脚部分;选择生物量大的植物为食,并选择含水量高的部位。     

白头叶猴与黑叶猴觅食行为的比较

开展近缘物种觅食行为比较对理解动物的行为可塑性及适应性具有重要意义。白头叶猴(Trachypithecus leucocephalus)和黑叶猴(T.francoisi)是近缘物种,体形大小相近,社会结构和栖息环境相似,是广西崇左白头叶猴国家级自然保护区喀斯特季节性雨林中邻域分布的灵长类。为了探索两个物种在喀斯特生境中是否有相似的觅食策略,我们于2012年1—12月采用瞬时扫描取样法对两种叶猴的觅食行为进行研究。结果表明,白头叶猴与黑叶猴在不同时段均为叶食性,树叶是两种叶猴各个时段主要食物,其中白头叶猴日均取食树叶77.0%±4.4%,黑叶猴日均取食68.9%±8.3%,两者对树叶的采食比例均没有显著的日时段差异(白头叶猴:χ²=6.602,df=11,P=0.830;黑叶猴:χ²=11.393,df=11,P=0.411)。两种叶猴的觅食行为都在猴群清晨离开夜宿石洞后和进入过夜山洞前的时段中频繁发生。白头叶猴在09:00—10:59和16:00—17:59出现觅食高峰,时间占比分别为41.7%和46.3%;黑叶猴同样在09:00—10:59...     

广西白头叶猴栖息地特征

白头叶猴是我国独有的灵长类物种,其栖息地十分狭小而分散。典型的热带喀斯特峰丛洼地-峰丛谷地地貌组合,特殊的石灰岩季雨林或次生植被和多种石灰土构成的石山景观,与周边的土山景观有明显区别。环境的异质性和不连续性,使之成为边界明显但又互相隔离的同质性斑块,为穴居和过群居生活的白头叶猴提供了至关重要的生存空间。白头叶猴这一适应于热带气候,善攀爬、植食性和穴居习性的物种,选择低峰丛洼地-峰丛谷地作为适宜的栖息地,是在长期进化过程中生态适应的结果。目前,白头叶猴仅分布于几处互相隔离的地块。近几十年来,由于人类活动的强烈干扰,使其栖息地急速缩小和更加分散。只有正确处理人地关系、人与野生动物的关系,禁止石山地区的过度开发,维持这一自然综合体的完整性和保持景观异质性,白头叶猴才有生存的可能和发展的机会。     

白头叶猴对喀斯特石山生境的适应

全世界共有猿猴类19科78属480种,分布在非洲赤道以南的广大森林和萨瓦纳稀树草原、非洲大陆东面的马达加斯加岛、南美洲热带雨林和亚洲的热带和亚热带北缘等区域。我国拥有猿猴共3科8属25种,其中特有种7种。在7种特有种中,最有特色之一的是生活在我国广西西南部喀斯特石山地区的白头叶猴。适应石山环境的白头叶猴,进化出了一些特殊的适应特征。     

菲氏叶猴的比较神经解剖和演化

菲氏叶猴(Presbytis phayrei)为疣猴亚科,叶猴属动物。有学者在评述叶猴的分类地位时指出,叶猴在进化的历程中,虽进化的步伐很慢,但仍继续沿着其重要的演化路线发展。叶猴在旧大陆猴类中享有特殊的地位,兼有进步和原始特征。其进步特征处于旧大陆猴与长臂猿之间,而原始特征仍保留着类似其祖先的特点,它与这个祖先的亲缘关系似较其它旧大陆猴更为接近。通过对长尾叶猴(Presbytisentellus)的形态解剖,有人认为叶猴的脑髓演化水平介于猴科动物与长臂猿之间。     

白头叶猴栖息环境与栖息地选择的研究

通过样方法和焦点动物法分别对白头叶猴栖息环境进行了观察,并对栖息环境的植物多样性进行了统计分析。结果表明,白头叶猴栖息地可分为山脚、山腰、山顶和山弄平地4部分,各部分优势种植物不同,白头叶猴栖息地的Shannon Venner多样性指数为6.152,均匀度为0.8439,白头叶猴对石山山脚、山腰、山顶和山弄平地的利用率分布为66.45 5.65%,21.15±5.49%,12.78±6.8%。在山脚主要是休息和觅食,在山腰主要是移动,在山顶主要是冬季晒太阳。因此,保护白头叶猴的栖息地对保护白头叶猴有特别重要的意义。     

基于MaxEnt模式的白头叶猴栖息地评价——以广西崇左白头叶猴保护区为例

针对物种分布格局与其环境变量关系的研究,对于生态廊道规划与环境恢复研究具有重要意义.本文以白头叶猴(Trachypithecus leucocephalus)为研究对象,针对广西崇左白头叶猴国家级自然保护区51个白头叶猴分布点和11个环境变量数据,利用MaxEnt模型(maximum entropy modeling)...     

Comparison of locomotor behaviour between white-headed langurs Trachypithecus leucocephalus and Francois' langurs T.fran(c)oisi in Fusui, China

We studied the locomotor behaviour of white-headed langurs Trachypithecus leucocephalus and Fran(c)ois' langurs T.fran(c)oisi to test two hypotheses: (1) these monkeys have evolved locomotor ability to support their activities on limestone hills,and (2) Fran(c)ois' langurs have evolved more diverse locomotor skills than white-headed langurs. Data were collected from 1996 - 1998 and in 2005 in Fusui Nature Reserve,Guangxi,and showed that the two species had similar locomotor types,but Francois' langurs had more locomotor modes (26) than white-headed langurs (12). Quadrupedal walking and leaping were two major types,and white-headed langurs were more arboreal than Fran(c)ois' langurs. We suggest that,while keeping their ancestral locomotor types,the two species have evolved new types allowing them to live on limestone cliffs. Compared to white-headed langurs,Francois' langurs have more diverse locomotor modes that probably have allowed them to live in more habitat types. As an evolutionary outcome,Fran(c)ois' langurs have a larger distribution range.     

Food Choice of White-Headed Langurs in Fusui,China

We studied the feeding ecology of white-headed langurs (Trachypithecus leucocephalus) from September 1997 to September 1998 in Fusui Rare and Precious Animal Reserve, SW Guangxi, China. We collected data in the central part of a group of limestone hills where the main population pool of langurs was located. The langurs fed on 50 plant species (belonging to 42 genera from 28 families) out of 164 species in the habitat (belonging to 112 genera from 48 families). Most of the food plant species were not common in the habitat. There are 16 important food species, including 6 key species. White-headed langurs were extremely folivorous, feeding mainly on young leaves (75% of total feeding records) of a broad range of less common plant species, which were in less disturbed areas. Thus, langur groups in high quality habitat had greater access to preferred foods, and the future of langurs in the Reserve may depend on immediate cessation of tree felling.     

How does the white-headed langur (Trachypithecus leucocephalus) adapt locomotor behavior to its unique limestone hill habitat?

Limestone hill habitats pose unique challenges to langurs. One of the characteristics of this habitat is its cliffs, which account for about 10–20% of the total area. We have never observed langurs falling from the cliffs during our 10-year field study. Five patterns of locomotion were exhibited by the white-headed langur: (1) arboreal ascent and descent, (2) arboreal quadupedalism, (3) terrestrial quadrupadelism, (4) moving on cliffs and (5) leaping on cliffs. Locomotor patterns varied according to the substrate, but terrestrial quadrupedalism accounted for more than 50% of locomotion time. Moving on cliffs and leaping on cliffs may be modes of locomotion unique to the white-headed langur, at least in terms of frequency. White-headed langurs have an intermembral index of 76 and, compared to langurs with a similar intermembral index, are more terrestrial. Further analysis indicates that greater terrestrialism may be the result of adaptation to their limestone habitat. Interestingly, white-headed langurs select caves on the cliff as their sleeping sites, and they exhibit special behaviors for exiting and entering the cave very early in the morning and late in the evening.     

Habitat Quality and Activity Budgets of White-Headed Langurs in Fusui,China

Within a species, habitat quality may be a factor causing different activity budgets between populations. The habitat of white-headed langurs (Trachypithecus leucocephalus) has been seriously disturbed in Fusui Rare and Precious Animal Nature Reserve, China, where we carried out a study of their socioecology from September 1997 to September 1998. We collected data on langur activity budgets from the main population located in the central part of a group of limestone hills. We classified habitat quality into 4 grades according to the extent of human disturbance. We showed that the two main study groups of white-headed langurs spent on average 50% of time resting, 13% feeding, 18% moving (including foraging), 11% grooming, and 7% playing. Langur time budgets showed no significant seasonal change, but they differed among different sex-age classes. Infants and juveniles spent about 20.3% of time playing, whereas adults spent only 0.2% playing. The group in high quality habitat engaged less in feeding and more in playing than the group in low quality habitat did. Habitat quality influenced the playing time of young white-headed langurs and may be vital to their successful maturation.     

Are Limestone Hills a Refuge or Essential Habitat for White-Headed Langurs in Fusui,China?

We studied the ecology of white-headed langurs (Trachypithecus leucocephalus) in Fusui Precious Animal Reserve, Guangxi, China, in 1997/1998 and conducted surveys of them in 1996–1997 and 2003. We collected data on vegetation fragments and the activities of white-headed langurs at different levels on limestone hills. The langurs selected less fragmented habitats with less human disturbance. They spent ca. 60% of the day at lower levels of the hills during maintenance activities, including feeding. When humans were absent, the langurs even came to the ground. The hills themselves were used as a refuge from human disturbance but were not otherwise essential habitat. Results of this study have implications for improving conservation management for the langurs.     

Factors Influencing Interannual and Intersite Variability in the Diet of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trachypithecus francoisi</Emphasis>

Comparative studies of the diet of the same species in different habitats, and over the long term, are essential to understanding a species’ behavioral and ecological plasticity. Moreover, such studies can help researchers and managers evaluate a species’ capacity to cope with changes in habitat quality resulting from natural processes or human disturbance, which is important for developing conservation strategies. We compared dietary data for François’ langur (Trachypithecus francoisi) collected at Nonggang and Fusui Nature Reserves, Guangxi Province, China, over 2 separate study periods to evaluate interannual and intersite variation in diet. Young leaves were the preferred staple foods for langurs, whereas mature leaves and seeds served as fallback foods in response to seasonal shortage in the abundance of young leaves. Species composition of the diets and the percentage of feeding records for plant species varied between the 2 study periods. The langurs at both study sites fed selectively, and they did not base their diet simply on the abundance of plant species in the habitat. However, the plant species eaten by langur groups inhabiting the 2 different reserves were markedly different, and the top 10 food species eaten by the Fusui group showed no overlap with those eaten by the Nonggang group. The variation may be related to differences in forest composition resulting from different level of human disturbance. In summary, our results indicate that François’ langurs exhibit a comparable dietary pattern both temporally and geographically, but there is marked interannual and intersite difference in species composition of the langur diet.     

Food diversity and choice of white-headed langur in fragmented limestone hill habitat in Guangxi,China

We studied the diet and food choice of three groups of white-headed langurs (Trachypithecus leucocephalus) from July 2002 to June 2003 at Fusui Rare Animal Reserve, Guangxi, China. Data were collected from via focus group sampling, with continuous recording. A total of 109 plant species (including 19 unidentified species) were used as food by the white-headed langur. They spent 91.6% of total feeding time feeding on leaves, 4.2% on fruits and 3.3% on stems. Flowers and other food items accounted for only 0.3% and 0.6% of total feeding time, respectively. There were significant seasonal variations in the langurs’ diets with changes in the total number of species and the diversity of food species consumed. The langurs used significantly more plant species as food in the rainy season than in the dry season (36 species vs. 26.5 species). Dietary diversity was also significantly higher in the rainy season than in the dry season (2.6 vs. 2.4). No significant seasonal variation was found in the percentage of various plant parts in their monthly diets. Though the white-headed langur fed on many plant species, 11 species made up 84.9% of their diet. There were no significant correlations between the percentage of feeding time for main food plant species and their corresponding abundance in the habitat, content of water, crude protein, crude fiber and the ratio of crude protein to crude fiber. These results suggest that food choice of the white-headed langur is not influenced by their abundance and nutritional content.     

Habitat quality and range use of white-headed langurs in Fusui, China

The socioecology of white-headed langurs (Trachypithecus leucocephalus) was studied in Fusui Precious Animal Reserve, Guangxi, China, in 1997/1998. Habitat quality was classified according to the level of human disturbance. Plant species diversity increased with habitat quality. Important foods for the langurs occurred more in high-quality habitat. Home range size varied from 28 to 48 ha, and the home range area per individual decreased as habitat quality increased. Small polygynous langur groups had poorly defended ranges, but large groups defended their ranges intensively. Only harem males were involved in group defence, apparently competing for females by defending their habitat. High-quality habitat was more attractive to females; accordingly, group size increased significantly with habitat quality.     

弄岗黑叶猴旱季食物营养组分及其对食物选择的影响

正蛋白质与纤维素的比值以及能量高低是影响灵长类动物食物选择的重要因素(Oftedal,1991;Waterman and Kool,1994;Chapman and Chapman,2002;Wasserman and Chapman,2003;Hanya et al.,2007;Huang et al.,2010),但它们是否影响疣猴的食物选择目前尚具有较大的争议。Waterman