Science-based suggestions to save the world’s rarest primate species Nomascus hainanus

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 11(15)

Published: April 11, 2025

Conservation practices for extremely small populations must be grounded in solid science to prevent extinction. Hainan gibbon ( Nomascus hainanus ) is the world’s rarest primate species; however, insufficient data on its habitat suitability and genetic status impede evidence-based decisions restoration. Here, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of gibbons’ energy intake expenditure, reproductive parameters, diversity based field research (March 2021 December 2022) long-term historical (2003 2024). By comparing our results with those captive gibbons other free-feeding primates, found that can obtain sufficient growth reproduction their existing habitats. Furthermore, identified an additional D-loop haplotype indicating current population more genetically diverse than previously thought. However, recently formed adult male-female pairs are increasingly related, signaling high risk inbreeding within this population. Based these findings, highlight urgent need expand available by building corridors.

Language: Английский

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Eco-evolutionary dynamics of gut phageome in wild gibbons (Hoolock tianxing) with seasonal diet variations

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Feb. 10, 2024

Abstract It has been extensively studied that the gut microbiome provides animals flexibility to adapt food variability. Yet, how phageome responds diet variation of wild remains unexplored. Here, we analyze eco-evolutionary dynamics in six gibbons ( Hoolock tianxing ) by collecting individually-resolved fresh fecal samples and parallel feeding behavior data for 15 consecutive months. Application complementary viral microbial metagenomics recovers 39,198 virulent temperate phage genomes from feces. Hierarchical cluster analyses show remarkable seasonal variations gibbons. From high-fruit high-leaf period, abundances populations are seasonally fluctuated, especially driven increased abundance phages kill Lachnospiraceae hosts, a decreased piggyback Bacteroidaceae hosts. Functional profiling reveals an enrichment through horizontal gene transfers toxin-antitoxin genes on season, potentially conferring benefits their prokaryotic The phage-host ecological coevolutionary processes which select tail fiber DNA primase genomes, respectively. Our results highlight complex phageome-microbiome interactions as key feature gibbon ecosystem responding diet.

Language: Английский

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Wild gibbons plan their travel pattern according to food types of breakfast

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 290(1999)

Published: May 16, 2023

Planning for the future is a complex skill that often considered uniquely human. This cognitive ability has never been investigated in wild gibbons (Hylobatidae). Here we evaluated movement patterns from sleeping trees to out-of-sight breakfast two groups of endangered skywalker ( Hoolock tianxing ). These Asian apes inhabit cold seasonal montane forest southwestern China. After controlling possible confounding variables including group size, pattern (sleep alone or huddle together), rainfall and temperature, found food type (fruits leaves) tree was most important factor affecting gibbon patterns. Fruit were more distant compared with leaf trees. Gibbons left arrived at earlier when they fed on fruits leaves. They travelled fast located further away Our study suggests had foraging goals mind plan their departure times accordingly. may reflect capacity route-planning, which would enable them effectively exploit highly dispersed fruit resources high-altitude forests.

Language: Английский

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Wild Tibetan Macaques Use a Route‐Based Mental Map to Navigate in Large‐Scale Space

American Journal of Primatology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 87(1)

Published: Dec. 26, 2024

Many animals face significant challenges in locating and acquiring resources that are unevenly distributed space time. In the case of nonhuman primates, it remains unclear how individuals remember goal locations whether they navigate using a route-based or coordinate-based mental representation when moving between out-of-sight feeding resting sites (i.e., large-scale space). Here, we examine spatial memory map formation wild Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) inhabiting mountainous, forested ecosystem characterized by steep terrain limits direct vision to 25 meters. We used an instantaneous scan sampling technique at 10-min intervals record behavior location on Mt. Huangshan, Anhui Province, China, from September 2020 August 2023. Over 214 days, obtained 7180 GPS points macaques' locations. Our study revealed reused 1264 route segments (average length 204.26 m) least four times each. The number around habitual segment, roughness, dense vegetation areas significantly influenced use our group. addition, found evidence monkeys 48 nodes reorient their travel path. approached revisited foraging site same limited set directions, which is inconsistent with representation. direction left was different straight-line required reach next site, suggesting frequently reoriented goal. Finally, average, traveled 24% (CI = 1.24) farther than distance sites. From robust data set, conclude large spaces appears help them locate food dense, rugged montane forests heterogeneous habitats.

Language: Английский

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Routes matter: the effect of seasonality on bamboo lemur navigational strategies

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 186, P. 137 - 149

Published: March 10, 2022

Language: Английский

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Sleeping sites provide new insight into multiple central place foraging strategies of Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana)

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 10

Published: Dec. 16, 2022

Food resources, including food types, quantity, and quality, are the key factors that determine survival reproduction of wild animals. However, most basic requirement is access to food. The choice sleeping sites plays a crucial role in efficiently acquiring provides useful starting point for studying foraging strategies. We collected data on site patch uses Tibetan macaques ( Macaca thibetana ) Huangshan, Anhui, China, from September 2020 August 2021. found used 50 different sites, mostly located cliffs, some which they reused. Sleeping altitude differed significantly according season, with higher altitudes recorded summer winter. did not sleep as much expected peripheral regions their home range. were often distributed proximity patches, there was positive correlation between use surrounding patches. utilization patches by inclined towards multiple central place strategy. Our results provide supportive evidence resource hypothesis indicate important macaques.

Language: Английский

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Using behavioral studies to adapt management decisions and reduce negative interactions between humans and baboons in Cape Town, South Africa

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 5(7)

Published: May 18, 2023

Abstract Understanding the behavioral ecology of wildlife that experiences negative interactions with humans and outcome any management intervention is essential. In Cape Peninsula, South Africa, chacma baboons ( Papio ursinus ) search for anthropogenic food sources in both urban agricultural areas. response, city Town private farmers employ “rangers” to keep within Table Mountain National Park. this study, we investigated success rangers' keeping their natural habitat. Based on our findings year one, recommended adjustments strategy two. We improved consensus actions toward (that is, when/where herd them), construction a baboon‐proof fence around one farms provided corridor During 2 months following recommendations, these interventions combined resulted significant reduction time spent land. Our case study illustrates importance integrating research into ongoing improve human livelihoods baboon conservation through an adaptive framework. expect similar approaches be beneficial wide range species contexts.

Language: Английский

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Sleeping behavior of the wild François’ langur ( Trachypithecus francoisi ) in Mayanghe Nature Reserve, China

Ethology Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 36(3), P. 262 - 274

Published: Oct. 5, 2023

AbstractSleeping behavior is one of the most important components primate socio-ecology, which can provide valuable insight for social relationships and their influencing factors. In this study, we observed sleeping wild François' langur (Trachypithecus francoisi) from July 2011 to June 2012 in Mayanghe Nature Reserve, China. The results indicated that langurs spent time sleeping, with an annual average 670.25 min. summer was shortest a duration 580.50 min on average, has longest winter 770.53 This indicates there significant difference different seasons. addition, temperature weather condition play role T. francoisi. francoisi allocated significantly less leaving site, more entering site pre-sleeping sunny days than they did rainy days.Key Words: francoisi)pre-sleeping behaviorsleeping behaviorhuddlingMayanghe Reserve ACKNOWLEDGMENTSWe would like thank Bureau assistance data collection. We also Ye Cao during fieldwork.DISCLOSURE STATEMENTNo potential conflict interest reported by authors.ETHICAL STANDARDAll research protocols here adhered regulatory requirements approved animal care committee Wildlife Protection Society China.Additional informationFundingThe work supported Forestry Research funding Guizhou Province, China [No. 35(2022)Qianlin Kehe].

Language: Английский

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