Niche separation in sympatric lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) and Nilgiri langur (Presbytis johnii) in an Indian tropical rain forest

Singh, M. R. ; Singh, M. ; Ananada Kumar, M. ; Kumar, H. N. ; Sharma, A. K. ; Sushma, H. S. (2000) Niche separation in sympatric lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) and Nilgiri langur (Presbytis johnii) in an Indian tropical rain forest Primate Report, 58 . pp. 83-95. ISSN 0343-3528

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Abstract

The study was carried out on one group each of lion-tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs living as sympatric groups in a rainforest in Anaimalai Hills, Western Ghats, south India. Whereas the lion-tailed macaques were found to be frugivorous/ insectivorous, the Nilgiri langurs were primarily folivorous. Fruit was the only shared component in the diet of the two species. The lion-tailed macaques occupied a higher substratum than the Nilgiri langurs not only for their routine activities, but also for overall feeding and fruit feeding. The presence of lion-tailed macaques resulted in further lowering the feeding substratum and increased passivity in Nilgiri langurs. Food specialization and vertical stratification differentiate the niches of these two sympatric species.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to German Primate Center (DPZ), Gottingen.
Keywords:Lion-tailed Macaques; Nilgiri Langurs; Sympatricity; Food Specialization; Vertical Stratification; Western Ghats
ID Code:89653
Deposited On:28 Apr 2012 14:26
Last Modified:19 May 2016 04:08

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