Top | CV | Publications | Study | Gallery
Hanya G, Kiyono M, Yamada A, Suzuki K, Furukawa M, Yoshida Y, Chijiiwa A (2006) Not only annual food abundance but also fallback food quality determines the Japanese macaque density: evidence from seasonal variations in home range size. Primates 47: 275-278
Abstract
Previous studies on Japanese macaque densities
suggest that both total annual food abundance
and the quality of fallback foods in the
winter bottleneck period affects density.
We reviewed data on the seasonal changes
in home range size to explain how both factors
affect density. In general, home range was
large in summer or autumn and small in spring
or winter, indicating that density is determined
by the home range size in the seasons before
winter. The main foods in these seasons are
fruits and seeds. If these foods are not
abundant, macaques need to range over a larger
area, thus decreasing density. Macaques survive
the winter by depending on the fat deposited
before winter through eating these high-quality
foods. If the food condition in winter is
severe and the amount of required fat deposition
is large, macaques need a larger home range
before winter, and thus density becomes lower.
Keywords bottleneck, density, fat deposition, home
range, Macaca fuscata
<Written by: Goro Hanya (hanya.goro.5z<atmark>kyoto-u.ac.jp)>
<Contact: Goro Hanya (hanya.goro.5z<atmark>kyoto-u.ac.jp)>
<Last update: October 6, 2006>