Population Structure, Behaviour, Social Organization, Mating System And Ethnoprimatology Of Three Primate Species In Selected Areas In Northern Peninsular Malaysia
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Date
2015-08
Authors
RAHIM KHAN, KARIMULLAH
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Abstract
The dusky leaf monkeys (Lotong ceneka), long-tailed macaques (kera) and pig-tailed macaques (beruk) are widely distributed animals and most common monkey species of Peninsular Malaysia. They have closed proximity to human and human made environment. The human-primate interface is an enormous component in conservation and raising area of discussion across the field of anthropology. The objectives of present study are to examine population dynamics, behaviours and ecology of monkeys in selected areas of northern region in Peninsular Malaysia. The field observations were carried out two days per week from 8am to 6pm from January 2012 to December 2013. The line transects methods and scan sampling procedure have been extensively applied to evaluation and the abundance of animal population, their behaviour and interaction with human. Total seven areas were selected for data collection in Peninsular Malaysia. As a result, long-tailed macaques were observed more (59%) in study areas, followed by pig-tailed macaques (23%) and dusky-leaf monkeys (18%). The high population density of Macaca fascicularis was found, such as (5.12-individuals/km2, 0.83groups/km2). The average group sizes were evaluated as 20-individuals/group for Macaca fascicularis followed by Macaca nemestrina as 16-individuals/group and Trachypithecus obscurus as 15-individuals/group. The birth rate of Macaca fascicularis was found more k>0 and k≥0 for Macaca nemestrina, while k>0 for a death rate of Trachypithecus obscurus. The sex ratio of Macaca fascicularis (male:female, 1:1.80) showed more number of females than other two cited species. The behaviours of locomotion (18%) were analysed as the highest activity of Macaca nemestrina followed by climbing (15%) of all the species, foraging (15%), grooming and resting were found as the same (14%) of Trachypithecus obscurus. The highest interaction behaviours of monkeys
were analysed as moving activity, followed by vocalization and attacking. Human exhibit behaviours of feeding, moving and playing. In social organization, behaviours of physical contact, presentation, mounting, embrace, hold, menace and aggression were observed in Macaca fascicularis. Physical contact was also observed in Trachypithecus obscurus and aggression found as common in Macaca nemestrina. Sexual behaviours of male and female revealed a strong correlation in behaviours of approach, presentation of anogenital region, refuses, inspection of genitalia, mounting, vocal during sex, grooming for sex and agonistic behaviours. Sexual attack and sexual coercion were found more in male and female of Macaca fascicularis. Whereas, eye contact was common in Macaca nemestrina and ejaculation was found commonly in Trachypithecus obscurus. The present population status of species appears stable in Peninsular Malaysia. Abundance of juveniles and female categories revealed more probability of potential population in the areas. The monkeys initiate their foraging and locomotion from dawn until dusk. Present study revealed social system of monkeys wherein they help one another vis-a-vis fighting within troops’ members was also reported. Polyandrous and polygamous mating systems have also been found in all three species. Both males and females mate with multiple partners, which signify promiscuous mating system of monkeys.
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Population Structure, Behaviour, Social Organization, Mating System And Ethnoprimatology , Of Three Primate Species In Selected Areas In Northern Peninsular Malaysia