Feeding adaptation of François' langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi) to the fragmented limestone habitats in Southwest China

Author:

Yao Wei1,Huang Cheng‐Ming12ORCID,Zhao Jia‐Xin3,Huang Rong3,Li Wen‐Hua3,Fan Peng‐Lai1,Zhou Qi‐Hai1ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection, Ministry of Education, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Rare and Endangered Animal Ecology, The Chongzuo White‐Headed Langur Field Observation and Research Station of Guangxi Guangxi Normal University Guilin China

2. Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China

3. Encheng National Nature Reserve Chongzuo China

Abstract

AbstractLimestone forests are an unusual habitat for primates, especially fragmented limestone habitats. However, while some research has been conducted on François' langurs (Trachypithecus francois) in these habitats, there is still a need to improve the understanding of their behavioral adaptations to the fragmented limestone habitat. We collected data on the diet of François' langurs in a fragmented limestone habitat in Encheng National Nature Reserve, southwestern Guangxi, China using instantaneous scanning sampling, and their feeding adaptations to the fragmented forest were examined. The results indicated that a total of 101 species of plants were consumed by the langurs. They also fed on two non‐plant components, including cliff minerals and at least one species of insect. The langurs ate a higher number of food species in Encheng when compared with the other geographic populations, and they maintained a high level of food diversity and ate more vines. Moreover, they were highly selective in their use of vegetation in their home range, and fewer plants provided a high‐quality food source. During the season when food resources were scarce, the consumption of fruits and young leaves decreased as their availability decreased. This led to the use of other food components, such as mature leaves and seeds. The findings support that François' langurs adjust their feeding behavior to cope with seasonal and micro‐variations in their dietary requirements and to adapt to their particular environment.

Funder

National Natural Science Foundation of China

Publisher

Wiley

Reference65 articles.

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