Leaf chemistry and food selection by common langurs (Presbytis entellus) in Rajaji National Park,Uttar Pradesh,India |
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Authors: | Kaberi Kar-Gupta Ajith Kumar |
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Institution: | (1) Wildlife Institute of India, P.B. No. 18, 248001 Dehradun, India;(2) Present address: Salim Ali Center for Ornithology and Natural History Coimbatore, 640010 Tamil Nadu, India |
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Abstract: | Food selection in folivorous primates has been hypothesized to be correlated with leaf chemistry. To test this hypothesis,
we conducted a 5-month study on Presbytis entellusin a moist deciduous forest in the Rajaji National Park,Uttar Pradesh, India. The study period covered two seasons, winter and spring. We used the percentage time spent feeding on
each food item as an index of food selection, which we estimated from group scan data collected from one study group for 6
days each month. We estimated the selection ratio for each item as the ratio of time spent feeding to availability. We estimated
food availability from vegetation sampling and phenological data in the home range of the study group. We estimated crude
protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and tannins in mature and young leaves of 12 major food species in the laboratory.
Food selection is positively correlated with CP in winter and negatively correlated with ADF in both seasons. It also is correlated
with CPJADF ratio, but to a lesser extent than the best predictor in winter and spring. Selection ratio is not correlated
with CP and ADF in both seasons. It is probable that the inclusion of other factors, such as micronutrients,condensed tannins, and digestibility, might give a better prediction of food selection. |
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Keywords: | secondary compounds: crude protein |
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