DIET AND DISPERSION OF THE GREAT ARGUS ARGUSIANUS ARGUS

The food and dispersion of Great Argus were studied in two West Malaysian forested areas from 1975 to 1978. Invertebrates on the litter surface lived at low density and were typically large and solitary; those beneath the litter were abundant but typically tiny and colonial. Great Argus feed mainly on fallen fruit but rely for protein on the large, solitary litter-surface invertebrates and were never seen scratching for food. Adult males maintain small, discrete home ranges in which they forage alone. Much of their time is spent resting, which reduces energy expenditure. Females also forage alone and may be similarly inactive. Great Argus are very large and their requisite large invertebrate prey cannot be obtained beneath the litter; scratching has been eliminated as a foraging technique. A strategy of litter-surface searching necessitates solitariness, to avoid intraspecific feeding competition. The large size of Great Argus is related to a low rate of energy turnover and energy conservation by prolonged resting. Both sexes are probably territorial during the breeding season and larger territories then may limit population density.