Interpopulation differences in activity patterns ofMacaca sylvanus in the Moroccan Middle Atlas

Abstract

We studiedMacaca sylvanus populations from a) a protected, relatively undamaged climax Cedar forest and b) a degraded, mixed Cedar-Oak forest. Animals exhibit considerable differences in demographic, social and time budget characteristics. In the degraded forest there were fewer social groups of smaller average group size and lower population density. Differences in habitat quality, patchiness and intensity of human activities between the two localities are reflected in macaque activity patterns. In the degraded forest the animals allocate less time to feeding, foraging (clumped food resources, smaller group sizes) and Vigilance (more habituated to human presence). They allocate more time to resting and they are involved more frequently in grooming (probably an indication of social tension within groups). In contrary social structures and wild stock, population is declining.