Behavioural Variability in Macaques and Langurs of the Western Ghats, India

Abstract

Studies that compare differences in the behavioural variability across species and genera are rare among south Asian primates. Such studies are important for understanding within-group feeding competition in primates as interindividual difference in frequency of behaviour is a good indicator of feeding competition. We compared the variability in individual activities of lion-tailed macaques, bonnet macaques, Nilgiri langurs, and black-footed grey langurs. Both macaque species showed variability in their activities, with bonnet macaques showing higher variability than lion-tailed macaques. This indicated higher within-group competition in bonnet macaques than in lion-tailed macaques. Folivorous Nilgiri langurs and black-footed grey langurs did not show variability in any behaviour, indicating weak or negligible within-group competition. Except in the bonnet macaque, the interindividual differences in activities in the other species were potentially due to the differences between lactating and non-lactating females. We observed that langurs were less variable than macaques, indicating higher within-group competition in macaques than in langurs. We also observed a higher frequency of aggressive interactions during feeding among macaques than langurs, substantiating higher within-group competition in macaques than in langurs. We further discuss the different possibilities of within-group contest and scramble competition in these species.

Genomic nucleotide-based distance analysis for delimiting old world monkey derived herpes simplex virus species

“…The reduced likelihood of natural cross species transmission is important as it increases the probability of hostvirus co-evolution. Further, for example while lion-tailed and bonnet macaques ranges overlap, different living strategies (frugivorous and arboreal vs generalist in human dominated environments respectively) [58,59] between these animals make cross transmission unlikely.…”

A history of primatology in India (In memory of Professor Sheo Dan Singh)

“…(Kavana 2015) and Joseph J. Erinjery (Erinjery 2016) (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joseph_J_ J TT Erinjery) studied individual differences indicating behavioral variability in macaques (Bonnet and Liontailed) and langurs (Nilgiri and Hanuman), respectively. Behavioral variability was higher in macaques than in langurs (Erinjery et al 2017b). The ideal gas model approach showed that primates in the Western Ghats do not form active associations with each other .…”

Genomic Nucleotide-Based Distance Analysis for Delimiting Old World Monkey Derived Herpes Simplex Virus Species.

“…The reduced likelihood of natural cross species transmission is important as it increases the probability of host-virus co-evolution. Further, for example while Lion-tailed and Bonnet macaques ranges overlap, different living strategies (frugivorous and arboreal vs generalist in human dominated environments respectively) [60,61] between these animals make cross transmission unlikely.…”