Feeding Behavior of Phayre’s Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus phayrei) and Capped Langur (Trachypithecus pileatus) in Dampa Tiger Reserve, Mizoram

A study on feeding behavior of two primate species viz; Phayre’s leaf monkey (Trachypithecus phayrei, Blyth, 1847) and capped langur (Trachypithecus pileatus Blyth, 1843) was conducted during summer season (March–May, 2014) in Dampa Tiger Reserve (DTR), Mizoram, India. Study was carried out in the Terei range of forest reserve. A total of 87 plant species including bamboo were recorded in the area. Both species of primates (T. phayrei and T. pileatus) were studied for their food plant selection, diet composition, time budget for activities during day. Selection of trees to sleep at night was also observed. Capped langur selected 7 food plant species whereas Phayre’s leaf monkey selected 8 food plants. 40% of the plant species were common to both the primate species; however they showed a distinct variation in food plant preference. Phayre’s leaf monkey spent S 90% of feeding time on Musa ornata, Melacana baccifera and Dendrocalamus longispathus and S 80% Musa balbisiana, Gmelina arborea and Buetneria pilosa; an indication of preference for bamboo species and climbers. Capped langur spent feeding time S 90% on Ficus maclellendi and Ficus semicordata while other species were given comparatively less time. Both the species had consumed young leaves, flowers and fruits in their diet that constitute nearly 80% of the diet. Food items were drawn from different plants. The Phayre’s preferred Dendrocalamus longispathus, (98%) as sleeping site while the Capped langur selected Ficus benghalensis (90%) to sleep at night. Both the species are folivorous in nature but the selection of food plants, source of diet components and plants used to sleep at night were different that indicates that both species has distinct niche within the same habitat type; a very strong survival strategy.

Comparative activity pattern and feeding behaviour of Capped Langur (Trachypithecus pileatus) and Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta) in Madhupur National Park of Bangladesh

Comparative activity pattern and feeding behaviour of Capped Langur (Trachypithecus pileatus) and Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta) were studied in Madhupur National Park of Bangladesh from September 2015 to September 2016. Scan sampling method with 5 minutes interval was followed in the field. The Capped Langur spent 42% of the day time in feeding, 45% in resting, 6% in moving, 4% in playing, 2% in grooming and 1% in breeding, whereas the Rhesus Macaque spent 24% of the day time in feeding, 26% in resting, 30% in moving, 15% in playing, 4% in grooming and 1% in breeding. The Capped Langur spent comparatively more (7.25%) time in feeding than the Rhesus Macaque. Seasonal variation in feeding of the Capped Langur is more obvious than that in the Rhesus Macaque. Both species started their feeding activities early in the morning and stopped at late afternoon. Diet of the Capped Langur comprises of plant food (94%), animal food (3%), water (1%) and food offered by men (2%), and diet of the Rhesus Macaque comprises of plant food (79%), animal food (4%), soil (1%), water (2%) and food offered by men (14%). Both are mainly vegetarian but fed on varieties of food. It was found that the Capped Langur is primarily folivorous (48%) and the Rhesus Macaque is primarily frugivorous (55%). The Capped Langur fed on a total of 51 species of plant under 28 families and Rhesus Macaque fed on 38 species of plant under 18 families. The Capped Langur consumed more natural food (98%) than that of Rhesus Macaque (86%); the rest were food offered by men. The day ranges of Capped Langur and Rhesus Macaque were 400 metres and 550 metres, respectively. No notable conflict between Capped Langur and Rhesus Macaque was observed while feeding.Jahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 6(1): 1-12, 2017 (June)