Regional variation in the behavioral aspects of long-tailed macaques and its ecological determinants

Abstract

Dietary composition and activity budgets of primate are affected by habitat characteristics. We described variations in activity budgets and dietary habits of free-ranging long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in various habitats, including anthropogenic habitats, through a web-based survey, and tried to find determinants of the regional variation in the behavioral aspects of macaques. The activity budgets of the macaques were stable across sites regardless of geographic, climatic, and anthropogenic characteristics, but dietary composition varied among habitats; the percentage of fruits and seeds was significantly lower at higher latitudes. The plasticity of frugivory in response to regional variations in the food environment was similar to that of macaques inhabiting temperate regions. In habitats with strong human activity, the percentage of anthropogenic foods in the macaque diet was remarkably higher, and fruits and seeds was lower than that in natural habitats. Our results suggested that macaques showed high dietary adaptability to different habitats.