Male Dispersal Pattern in Golden Snub-nosed Monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in Qinling Mountains and its Conservation Implication

Abstract

Golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) is one of the most endangered primate species found in China, exhibiting multilevel society consisting of several one-male-females together with their offspring units (OMU), and all-male units (AMU). Female dispersal patterns of the species within herd have been well documented, whereas those of the males within or between herds are still poorly understood. Our results based a long-term observation indicate that more than half of sub-adult males, and half of the deposed males that stayed a short period in OMU disperse between herds, three of them established their own OMU in new herd after the dispersal. Smaller number of the sub-adult and adult males, compared with adult females, stayed in natal herd, implying sub-adult males started dispersing and male-biased dispersal occurred between herds. High frequencies of resident males were wounded as their OUMs were taken over, and resident males co-operation defend bachelor males were found. Mating competition among males within the herd may have contributed to the scenarios of male-biased dispersal. The results also suggest that maintaining connection between isolated herds and establishing the corridors among the fragmented habitats for the species will greatly benefit increasing its gene flow and promoting conservation status.

Identifying refugia and corridors under climate change conditions for the Sichuan snub‐nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in Hubei Province, China

“…The daily path length varies from 0.75 to 5 km with a mean of 2.1 km (Tan et al, ). R. roxellana has a male‐based dispersal system (Chang et al, ; Huang et al, ). We parameterized our models of refugia according to those values; for example, patch areas had to be >7.4 km 2 , and the distance to the nearest patch had to be <2.1 km and located in a protected area for more effective management and protection.…”

Individuality in coo calls of adult male golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) living in a multilevel society

“…While previous studies of some primates with multilevel societies noted the absence of such an ability or motivation (Bergman 2010 ; Maciej et al 2013 ), studies of R. roxellana have shown that the social units of a group coordinate their activities on a daily basis (Liu et al 2016 ; Wada et al 2015 ; Zhang et al 2010 ) and that the animals engage in particularly significant interactive events among units (Qi et al 2017 ). For example, the resident males have been observed to collectively defend their OMUs against the bachelor males of the AMU (Huang et al 2017 ; Xiang et al 2014 ). The adult females of an OMU copulate with the males of other units and sire offspring (Guo et al 2010 ; Zhao et al 2005 ).…”

“…Here, based on the source-filter theory, we investigated the individuality in coo calls of adult male R. roxellana . We chose adult males as our study subjects, because they play an important role in the maintenance of social cohesion and spacing at both levels within and between units (Huang et al 2017 ; Qi et al 2017 ; Xiang et al 2014 ). We first examined whether coo calls had a sufficient degree of individual distinctiveness that would permit discrimination among callers.…”

Preliminary report on Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana roxellana) at Laohegou Nature Reserve, Sichuan, China

“…OMUs do not avoid each other, but move, forage and rest together to form a breeding band 17 . Young male normally emigrate from their natal groups before sexual maturity, and form all male units, several of which coalesce into an all male band (AMB) 18 , 19 . All male band follows around the breeding band, all together comprising a herd 18 .…”