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Hanya G & Bernard H (2013) Functional response to fruiting seasonality by a primate seed predator, red leaf (Presbytis rubicunda). Tropical Ecology 54: 383-395
Abstract
The predator satiation hypothesis is one plausible explanation for masting in lowland dipterocarp forests in SE Asia. Hence, evaluation of behavioral patterns of seed predators have the potential to provide support for the predator satiation hypothesis. In order to evaluate possible mechanisms that could result in predator satiation, we studied the functional response in the seed predation behavior to fruiting seasonality of red leaf monkeys (Presbytis rubicunda Muller, 1838, Colobinae) in Danum Valley, Sabah, northern Borneo. Specifically,
we sought to answer the two questions: (1) when fruit availability increases,
to what extent do red leaf monkeys increase their seed eating? and (2)
do red leaf monkeys change the degree to which they pursue one species
of seeds in response to the changes in community-level fruit availability?
In response to the increased fruit availability, red leaf monkeys extended
their time spent feeding on seeds as much as 18 fold. This large functional
response resulted from the elongated total feeding time and the preference
for seeds by red leaf monkeys. Feeding time tended to increase, up to 28%
of the observation time, with increasing fruit availability. In response
to increased fruiting seasonality, the monkeys increased the number of
species but not plant individuals upon whose seeds they depredated. Time spent
feeding on seeds per species or individual, or for the most frequently
eaten species or individual, was not affected by fruit availability. Similarly,
the duration of one seed-feeding event was unaffected by the fruit availability.
Hence, while our results demonstrate a functional response to mast fruiting,
we found no support for the predator satiation hypothesis. The existence
of an abundant alternative resource (young leaves) is one of several likely
reasons for the weak persistence toward seeds shown by red leaf monkeys,
which is contradictory to the assumption of the predator satiation hypothesis.
Key words: diet, functional response, mast fruiting, predator satiation
hypothesis, Presbytis rubicunda, seed
Erratum of this paper (full version)
Short version of erratum (without correct tables and figures) of this paper is published in 2015, Vol. 56, issue no. 1 of the journal.
<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: June 27, 2014>