Nutritional composition of the diet of the northern yellow-cheeked crested gibbon (Nomascus annamensis) in northeastern Cambodia.

Abstract

This study measured the nutritional composition of foods consumed by the northern yellow-cheeked crested gibbon (Nomascus annamensis) in northeastern Cambodia. One group of N. annamensis was studied, and focal animal sampling was used to observe their feeding behavior. The study was conducted for 4months (January-April 2015) in the dry season and 69 foods were collected for nutritional analyses. N. annamensis fed on 37 plant species, but only seven species made up more than 80% of feeding time. N. annamensis spent the majority of their time feeding on fruit (60.36%), followed by young leaves (22.60%), flowers (13.74%), and mature leaves (3.30%). Fruit had the highest concentrations of total non-structural carbohydrates, while young leaves had the highest concentration of crude protein compared to other food items. All food items had similar concentrations of lipids, except young leaves, which had lower levels than fruit and flowers. All plant parts consumed by N. annamensis had similar amounts of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin. Thirty-two percent of all food items contained condensed tannins, and they had a similar level of it. All foods also had similar energy contents. This study adds to our knowledge of the feeding ecology of N. annamensis by providing baseline data on the make-up of the foods they eat and may contribute to captive feeding programs, ultimately assisting the conservation of this species.