Primate distribution in southern India

Primate distribution in southern IndiaPrimate distribution in southern IndiaThe Western Ghats of India is one of the biological hot spots of the orbit (Myers et al., 2000). The western slopes and the ridges of these hills argon covered with half-evergreen tropical rainforests. The eastern slopes and the adjoining Deccan plateau harbor mainly broadleaf forests. The Western Ghats ar divided into devil regions the southern and the northern Western Ghats, south and north of the Palghat Gap respectively. The rainforest regions are break danceicularly rich in arboreal mammals and avifauna. Among the mammals, the most obvious species are primates and squirrels. The distribution of nonhuman primates varies in the two regions of the Western Ghats. Lion-tailed macaques occur from the southern tip of the Western Ghats, up to north of Sharavathy River, where the rainforests of the medium natural elevation expiry. Bonnet macaques and hanuman langurs occur throughout the Ghats. The distr ibution of Nilgiri langur from the southern tip of the Western Ghats ends in the north at Brahmagiri, the region which also marks the end of Cullenia dominated forests (Pascal, 1988).South of Brahmagiri Hills, all four primate species are found in the forests of the Ghats. Primarily, bonnet macaques and hanuman langurs are found in the dry deciduous forests of the eastern slopes, whereas lion-tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs are found in the rainforests at the ridge and the western slopes. Each major forest type, therefore, is inhabited by a macaque which is a frugivorous species, and a langur which is a folivorous species. In certain areas of the southern Western Ghats, the bonnet macaques seasonally intrude into the rainforests and become transiently sympatric with lion-tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs (Sushma, 2004). Habitat specialists and habitat generalistsSpecies that make practice of a wide range of resources or habitats are generalists and they tend to be widely dis tributed, whereas species that make use of a narrow range of resources or habitats are specialists and they often have a limited distribution (Brown, 1984 Hanski, 1982 Hanski and Gyllenberg, 1997). According to Hanski and Gyllenberg (1997), the biogeographic distribution patterns of specialists are the result of their using relatively smaller habitats than those exploited by generalists species.Generalists and specialists use different cues to locate their habitat and necessary resources. The ecological niche occupied by a species results from trade-offs in the fitness gained in different habitats or on different resources, and the take of specialization of an being should reflect these trade-offs (Bonsall et al. 2004). Generalists have an advantage in exploiting a wider range of resources, whereas specialists are put on to be more efficient at using a particular resource (Strickler 1979).To survive and reproduce organisms must extract energy from substances present in the surro undings. However, not all organisms extract the same energy from the same sub-stances. Different organisms may specialize in the type of victuals they eat. The internal food-processing mechanism of an organism (gut, colon, metabolism, etc.) tends to become adapted to the particular diet in such a way that the quantity of energy the organism is able to extract from separately food type is determined evolutionarily.LangursLangurs could be considered a model for the require of mixer organization since they inhabit variety of ecological conditions (Sterck, 1999 Karanth et al, 2010 Karanth, 2010). They are known to exploit assorted habitats from thick forests to human dominated landscapes (Fooden, 1980 Prater, 1993 Kumara et al, 2009 Sharma et al, 2009). Even though certain traits such as male dispersal (Rajpurohit, 1987 Rajpurohit and Mohnot,1988 Sommer and Rajpurohit, 1989 Rajpurohit and Sommer, 1993 Launhardt et al, 2001 Borries et al, 2004 Sharma et al 2009), female philopatry ( Sterck, 1997 Sterck, 1998 Koenig, 2000 Koenig et al 2004 Sterck, 2005), baby channelise (Poirier, 1968 McKenna, 1979 Scollay, 1980 Stanford, 1992Kumar, 2005 Brent, 2008) etc. are common to all langur species, striking habitat related differences are observed in their group melodic theme and accessible organization (Sterck, 1998 Koenig et al, 1998 Sterck,1999 Harris, 2006 Snaith Chapman, 2007 Wich Sterck, 2007). thereof studies on inter-specific differences in behavioral ecology of langurs can provide insight into some of the crucial questions of affectionate systems and several(prenominal) behavior patterns of these species.Hanuman langurs / Nilgiri langursSouth Asia is foot to 15 species of langurs (Walker Molur, 2007). Nilgiri langurs are commonly found in tropical evergreen forests of the Western Ghats at an altitude of 500 meter above sea level (Sunderraj, 2001 Sunderraj Johnsingh, 2001) whereas the Hanuman langurs are distributed all over the Indian subcontinent-inc luding several species/subspecies such as S. e. achates, S. e. hypoleucos/S. hypoleucos, S. e. priam/S. priam priam (Kumara et al, 2009 Sharma et al, 2009 Karanth et al, 2010 Karanth, 2010). Nilgiri langurs are known to be largely habitat specialists (Singh et al 1997 Sunderraj, 1998) and Hanuman langurs are habitat generalists (Kumara et al,2009 Sharma et al 2009). Because of a restricted range of occurrence, it is expected that the Nilgiri langurs show less genetic variability and thus less flexibility than the Hanuman langurs. Nilgiri langurs are mainly arboreal (Poirier, 1968 Sunderraj, 2001) whereas Hanuman langurs tend to be more terrestrial (Roonwal Mohnot, 1977). Hanuman langurs are more adaptable influenced by approachability and distribution of food (Chhangani Mohnot, 2006). Home ranges of Hanuman langurs are larger and they overlap extensively (Chalise, 1995 Chhangani, 2000 Chhangani Mohnot, 2006). Nilgiri langurs are more territorial and occupy smaller home ranges ( Poirier, 1968 Sushma, 2004). In Hanuman langurs, the groups can be one male cissy, multimale bisexual or all male band groups (Borries, 1997 Koenig et al, 1997 Sharma et al, 2009) and Nilgiri langurs are primarily one male bisexual groups (Poirier, 1968 Sunderraj, 2001).Behavioural studies on Hanuman langurs have been intensively carried out at various locations in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka (Monhot and Srivastava, 1992 Rajpurohit et al. 1994). However, in India, these studies have been conducted mainly in waterless environment (Rajpurohit et al. 1994) and in dry/moist deciduous forests (Vasudev, 2006). Hanuman langurs are successful in their ability to adapt to a wide variety of habitats showing spirited complaisant flexibility making them the ideal species for studies. However, very little has been known about the rainforest Hanuman langurs expect for one write up on aliment ecology (Singh et al, 2011 Roy et al. 2012). It will be of interest to explore the social adaptations in the rainforest Hanuman langurs and to see how their behavior have evolved in comparison to arid environment.Studies on Nilgiri langurs suggest that the social structure and relationships and their deportmental patterns resemble that of Hanuman langurs (Poirier, 1968 Tanaka, 1965). Changes in ecological factors like habitat destruction and fragmentation, langur habitats may have been trim down leading to changes in group composition and social system (Sunderraj and Johnshingh, 2001). The present carry will be conducted to better understand both langur species behavioural patterns and social systems to explore and carry out comparative analysis on differences in their present environmental conditions. The aim of the present study is to employ same methodological analysis to study the behavioral ecology of Nilgiri langurs and Hanuman langurs and attempt a quantitative comparative analysis. Hence, the study has been designed with the following title.Looking for behavioral flexibi lityTRAITS TO BE STUDIEDLife history traitsOn the base of the above mentioned differences between the two species. The life history of hanuman langur is expected to be more of r-type and Nilgiri langur to be more of K-type. Being primarily the dwellers of rainforests, Nilgiri langurs are expected to be more efficiency oriented whereas Hanuman langurs, being habitat generalists, are expected to be more reproductive efficiency oriented. This may result in differences in birth dynamics such as net reproductive rates, duration of infant dependency on the mother and infant development patterns. It is also suggested that different habitats and group dynamics may have an influence on reproductive (Rajpurohit et al, 1994) or competitive efficiency.Social systemLarge interspecific variation in group size is seen in Hanuman langurs (Sterck, 1998 Sterck, 1999 Sharma et al, 2009) whereas Nilgiri langurs tend to cluster around the misbegotten (Joseph Ramachandran, 2001 Sunderraj, 2001). Female between group aggressions and infanticide (Rajpurohit et al, 2003 Rajpurohit Chhangani, 2003 Sharma et al, 2009) has been recorded only in Hanuman langur (Sterck, 1998) and not in any other langur species (Van schaik1992). Although the moving range of Nilgiri langur and Hanuman langur are found to be similar (0.1km and 0.15km respectively), Nilgiri langurs are said to travel less due to availability and abundance of food resources in their habitat (Tanaka, 1965).The Nilgiri langur has a unimale social system which is formed when juvenile males in a group mature to adulthood and then the group fissions into smaller unimale groups. In Hanuman langurs, group composition is formed according to the availability and distribution of food and space. There are three types of groups in Hauman Langurs, which are unimale, multimale and all male groups. A additive hierarchy exists amongst the females in Nilgiri langur where as in Hanuman langurs dominance hierarchy among females is less defi nitive than among males. Dominance hierarchies in Hanuman langurs were found to be significantly linear and relatively stable, but less so with increasing group size (Koenig, 2000).Individual behaviourCompared to Macaca, langurs show less frequent individual behavior differences (Tanaka, 1965). Although Nilgiri langur and Hanuman langur are relatively similar in their group size, composition and organization and also in behavioural patterns, intra- and inter- group activities are seen less in Nilgiri langurs when compared to Hanuman langurs. Behaviors like grooming, mounting and presenting, juvenile plays, etc were observed to be less frequent among Nilgiri langurs. Sugiyama (1965) observed that langurs travel widely when the food availability was sparse. In Nilgiri langurs, the habitat is usually forage abundant and good quality resulting in lesser travel. In Hanuman langurs the range size differs on the availability and quality of food in their distributional habitat/zone. As a re sult, more varied vocal communication is expected in Hanuman langurs than Nilgiri langurs.STUDY GROUPSOne group each of Hanuman Langur and Nilgiri langur has been selected.Hanuman langur Many intensive studies have been carried out on the populations of Hanuman langurs in arid, deciduous and semi-evergreen habitats. Since there is a lack of systematic and long-term study on rainforest Hanuman langurs, the present study will be carried out in rainforests of the Western Ghats at Gerusoppa, Uttara Kannada district. A unimale group (total 17) with 8 females, 5 juveniles/subadults and 3 infants has been selected.Nilgiri langur- For comparative analysis, a study group in Nelliyampathy, Kerala (Western Ghats) has been selected. A unimale group (total 14) with 8 femals, 3 juveniles and 2 infants has been selected.STUDY AREAThe study area is low altitude degraded coastal evergreen rainforest in the Western Ghats of north Karnataka in Uttara Kannada district (Gerusoppa). Forest is mainly Di pterocarpus-Holigarna-Persia species with an fairish altitude of 650 m with an average annual precipitation of 4200mm with relatively high humidity of 95%. Ecologically this stretch of forest is important because, this is the northern most distribution of lion tailed macaque (Macaca silenus) which is sympatric with bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata) and western hanuman langur (Semnopithecus entellus achates) (Kumara and Singh, 2004).Nelliyampathy is a Hill Station on the Western Ghats mountain ranges in Palakkad, Kerala. The green lush forest covers the whole hill area with coffee, tea, cardamom, vegetable and orange dressations. Nelliyampathy plateau lies at an altitude of 500-1000m. Major vegetation is evergreen, semi evergreen and moist deciduous. The forest mainly comprises of Cullenia, Mesua and Palaquim (Ramachandran and Joseph 2000). Three species of primates namely Bonnet Macaque, Lion tailed Macaque and Nilgiri langur are found in this habitat.Study Parameteres1. To study th e general activity pattern of the study speciesa. What are the different types of activity they do?b. What is the duration of different observed activities of each species?2. To study the different social behaviour within a single group of each speciesa. Which are the socio-positive behaviour (like play, groom, inter- individual distances etc.) within a single group?b. Which are socio-negative behaviour (aggression, fight, bark etc.) within a single group?c. What kind of reproductive behaviour are shown in the adult individuals of a single group?3. To study the inter-group interaction of each study speciesa. What is frequency of inter-group interaction with the neighbouring group of each study species?b. What kind of inter-group interaction they show with their neighbouring group?4. To study the demography and social structures of the study speciesa. What is the group size of each study species?b. What is the age-sex ratio of the respective groups?OBSERVATIONAL METHODSThree methods have been adopted in this study for data order they areAd libitum sampleThe data is in the form of notes for events as and when they occur. We simply note down whatever is visible and seems relevant at that cartridge clip. The events allow identity of the individual and direction of agonistic encounter like threat, attack, dominance mount, subordinate present and displacement among individuals of a group. It is useful during preliminary observation or for recording rare but important facts.Focal animal samplingOne individual was the focus of observations during a particular sample period of 5 minutes-Usually for several different categories of behaviour. What is recorded here is the behaviour of those individuals that are most easily observed. The choice of the focal individual is determined prior to the observation. During this period the time spent by the individual on different activities is recorded. It is also important to record certain aspects of other individuals behavio ur such as interaction with others and to whom a behaviour is directed. When the focal individual moves completely out of sight the recording would be stopped until it is visible again.Scan Samplinginstantaneous sampling or play out sampling was used here to study the different activity pattern of the individual animals. The methods involved collecting data on all visible individuals of the group. This was done for a period of 5min in which each individual was observed and data was collected through a pre-formatted data sheet. entropy on distance between the individuals (any two particular individuals, one is nearest and other is distant one at an instant of time) was collected through scan sampling.During a scan, the data was gathered on Date Time Individual (with identity) Activity (including Resting, Ranging, Foraging Feeding on insects, Feeding on plant (specify the plant part being used), Social behavior Substratum used (while feeding on insects) Place (tree or ground) Height of the tree Height at individual was seen Plant species (when the individual fed on plant food).Definition of Activities Resting Passivity lasting at least 5 seconds Ranging Travel and movement Feeding inspiration of plant or animal food Foraging Searching for food Social behavior Any interaction between/among conspecific individuals.Study outcomeThe study on Nilgiri langurs was carried out in Nelliyampathy reserve forest, nenmara forest division in Palakkad district of kerala.We observed the group of Nilgiri langurs from December 2010 to April 2011 and from April 2012 to January 2013 as a part of a large study on the behavior of primates in the Western Ghats. The quantity of time spent on focal animal sampling was 235 h and 915 scans were collected.The study on S.hypoleucos was carried out in Gerusoppa forest division in the state of Karnataka.We observed the group of S.hypoleucos from January 2011 to April 2012 as part of the same study. The amount of time spent on focal animal sampling was 270 h and 1070 scans.