Abstract
Macaca sinica is the smallest of all 22 extant macaque species in the world. There are three geographically isolated endemic sub-species of M. sinica : M. s. sinica , M. s. aurifrons and M. s. opisthomelas in Sri Lanka. Macaques adjust their activities to deal with changeable environments like weather changes and food availability fluctuations, proving their plasticity nature. Current study focused on assessing the temporal variation of activity budgets and effects of temperature on their activity pattern. Behavioral data were collected using scan sampling method. Overall activity budget analysis found that they allocate more time on resting (32.60 ± 4.97%), whereas less time spent for moving (26.30 ± 3.15%) and feeding (19.60 ± 2.97%). Moving was negatively correlated with monthly average temperature (r= -0.489 p = 0.029). The study found that time allocation for moving was reduced to compensate their thermoregulatory cost in terms of energy. This suggests that changes in movements of M. s. aurifrons are a useful indicator in assessing environmental changes such as temperature alterations.
Highlights
After Homo, the genus Macaca has the widest geographical range among primates, and both of these genera are present in tropical and temperate regions (Thierry, 2007)
Macaca sinica (Toque macaque) is the smallest of all macaques: males averaging about 5.3 kg and females about 3.5 kg (Fooden, 1979; Cheverud and Dittus, 1992)
There are three geographically isolated sub species of Macaca sinica found in Sri Lanka, ie; M. s. sinica in low country dry zone, M. s. aurifrons in wet zone and M. s. opisthomelas in upcountry or hill zone of Sri Lanka
Summary
After Homo, the genus Macaca has the widest geographical range among primates, and both of these genera are present in tropical and temperate regions (Thierry, 2007). Macaca sinica (Toque macaque) is the smallest of all macaques: males averaging about 5.3 kg and females about 3.5 kg (Fooden, 1979; Cheverud and Dittus, 1992). They are globally endangered (EN) and least concerned (LC) at national level (MOE, 2012). There are three geographically isolated sub species of Macaca sinica found in Sri Lanka, ie; M. s. Opisthomelas in upcountry or hill zone of Sri Lanka. Macaque densities of 1.35 to 1.8 individuals per hectare have been reported from urban areas in Sri Lanka
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