Geophagy by the bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata) of southern India: A preliminary analysis |
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| Authors: | J. Voros W. C. Mahaney M. W. Milner R. Krishnamani S. Aufreiter R. G. V. Hancock |
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| Affiliation: | (1) Present address: Geomorphology and Pedology Laboratory, Atkinson College, York University, 4700 Keele Street, M3J 1P3 North York, Ontario, Canada;(2) Present address: Division of Conservation Biology, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Anaikatti P. O., 641 108 Coimbatore, India;(3) Present address: SLOWPOKE Reactor Facility and Department of Chemical, Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, M5S 3E5 Toronto, Canada;(4) Present address: Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, K7K 7B4 Kingston, Ontario, Canada |
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| Abstract: | Bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata) in the Marakkanam Reserved Forest of southern India consume termitaria soils. Samples from the ingested termite mounds are compared with samples taken from the surrounding uneaten soils in an attempt to determine why the termitaria soils are eaten. Particle size, clay and primary mineral composition, geochemistry, and scanning electron microscopic analyses are used to search for a possible explanation for geophagy among the bonnet macaques. Kaolin minerals abound throughout the Marakkanam soil sample suite. But the termitaria soils are distinguished by the presence of small amounts of smectite. An abundance of kaolin minerals in combination with small amounts of smectite strongly resembles the mineralogy ofeko, a traditional African remedy for stomach ailments, and Kaopectate™, a western anti-diarrhoeal preparation. The percentage of mature leaves and fruits ofAzadirachta indica consumed by the bonnet macaques is relatively high. Plant feeding deterrents, such as, acid detergent fibre (ADF) and the inherent nature of the fruits ofAzadirachta indica, when consumed in large quantities to act as a purgative, could cause gastrointestinal upsets and diarrhoea. At Marakkanam, bonnet macaques ingest termitaria earth that would act as a pharmaceutical agent to alleviate gastrointestinal upsets and control diarrhoea. |
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| Keywords: | Geophagy Soil consumption Primates Bonnet macaques Macaca radiata |
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