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Mori T, Mori SN, Izumiyama S. Temporal and individual variation in the feeding habits of Asiatic black bears ( Ursus thibetanus). Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11562. [PMID: 38988342 PMCID: PMC11233272 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Foraging plays a vital role in the survival of wildlife, and shifts in food availability can impact species fitness and survival. Ursids are known to consume a wide variety of foods and are known to be opportunistic omnivores. Consequently, seasonal shifts in diet, which correspond to temporal and spatial shifts in the availability of food resources, have long captivated researchers studying the foraging behavior of Ursidae. Nevertheless, comprehensive dietary studies encompassing both the population and individual levels remain scarce. In this study, we investigated the dietary patterns of Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) at both the population and individual levels, using data collected through GPS collars and field surveys of individual bear scat samples in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, from 2016 to 2020. From early April to late June, bears mainly foraged on green vegetation. During this period, male and large-bodied female bears showed a strong preference for green vegetation. Small-bodied female bears also ate mostly green vegetation but tended to consume more fruit than other bears towards the end of this period. From June to October, bears' diets included a substantial amount of fruit, with notable peaks in fruit consumption in late June and early September. During the summer months, female bears often incorporated social insects into their diet compared to the population-level trend. In mid-September, the consumption of seeds from the Fagaceae family surged, becoming the primary dietary component during this period. This trend was consistently observed across the population. These findings underscore the importance conducting in-depth dietary analyses that take into account individual characteristics such as sex, age, and body weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoki Mori
- Institute for Mountain Science Shinshu University Minami-minowa, Kami-Ina Japan
- Present address: Research Center for Wildlife Management Gifu University Gifu Japan
| | - Saki N Mori
- Graduate School of Science and Technology Shinshu University Minami-minowa, Kami-Ina Japan
| | - Shigeyuki Izumiyama
- Institute for Mountain Science Shinshu University Minami-minowa, Kami-Ina Japan
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Kawamura K, Jimbo M, Adachi K, Shirane Y, Nakanishi M, Umemura Y, Ishinazaka T, Uno H, Sashika M, Tsubota T, Shimozuru M. Diel and monthly activity pattern of brown bears and sika deer in the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan. J Vet Med Sci 2022; 84:1146-1156. [PMID: 35811130 PMCID: PMC9412065 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.21-0665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammals exhibit several types of diel activity pattern, including nocturnal, diurnal,
crepuscular, and cathemeral. These patterns vary inter- and intra-specifically and are
affected by environmental factors, individual status, and interactions with other
individuals or species. Determining the factors that shape diel activity patterns is
challenging but essential for understanding the behavioral ecology of animal species, and
for wildlife conservation and management. Using camera-trap surveys, we investigated the
species distributions and activity patterns of terrestrial mammals on the Shiretoko
Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan, with particular focus on brown bears and sika deer. From June
to October 2019, a total of 7,530 observations were recorded by 65 camera-traps for eight
species, including two alien species. The diel activity pattern of brown bears was
diurnal/crepuscular, similar to that of bears in North America, but different from
European populations. Bear observations were more frequent during the autumnal hyperphagia
period, and adult females and sub-adults were more diurnal than adult males. In addition,
bears inside the protected area were more diurnal than those outside it. These findings
suggest that appetite motivation, competitive interactions between conspecifics, and human
activities potentially affect bear activity patterns. Similar to other sika deer
populations and other deer species, the diel activity patterns of sika deer were
crepuscular. Deer showed less variation in activity patterns among months and sex-age
classes, while adult males were observed more frequently during the autumn copulation
period, suggesting that reproductive motivation affects their activity patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei Kawamura
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University
| | - Mina Jimbo
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University
| | | | - Yuri Shirane
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University.,Hokkaido Research Organization
| | | | | | | | - Hiroyuki Uno
- Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
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3
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Naganuma T, Nakashita R, Tochigi K, Zedrosser A, Kozakai C, Yamazaki K, Koike S. Functional dietary response of Asian black bears to changes in sika deer density. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Naganuma
- Institute of Global Innovation Research Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology 3‐5‐8 Saiwai‐cho Fuchu Tokyo 183‐8509 Japan
| | - Rumiko Nakashita
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute 1 Matsunosato Tsukuba Ibaraki 305‐8687 Japan
| | - Kahoko Tochigi
- United Graduate School of Agricultural Science Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology 3‐5‐8 Saiwai‐cho Fuchu Tokyo 183‐8509 Japan
| | - Andreas Zedrosser
- Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health University of South‐Eastern Norway Gullbringvegen 36 3800 Bø Telemark Norway
| | - Chinatsu Kozakai
- National Agriculture and Food Research Organization 2‐1‐18 Kannondai Tsukuba Ibaraki 305‐8666 Japan
| | - Koji Yamazaki
- Department of Forest Science Faculty of Regional Environmental Science Tokyo University of Agriculture 1‐1‐1 Sakuragaoka Setagaya Tokyo 156‐8502 Japan
| | - Shinsuke Koike
- Institute of Global Innovation Research Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology 3‐5‐8 Saiwai‐cho Fuchu Tokyo 183‐8509 Japan
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4
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Miura K, Mori T, Ogawa H, Umano S, Kato H, Izumiyama S, Niizuma Y. Density estimations of the Asiatic black bear: application of the random encounter model. J NAT HIST 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2022.2070441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kensuke Miura
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Meijo University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tomoki Mori
- Institute for Mountain Science, Shinshu University, Kamiina County, Japan
- Present address: JSPS, Laboratory of Environmental Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, Meijo University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Haruna Ogawa
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Meijo University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shota Umano
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Meijo University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Haruki Kato
- Forum for Environmental Symbiosis in Shirakawa-Go, Ono-gun, Japan
| | | | - Yasuaki Niizuma
- Laboratory of Environmental Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, Meijo University, Nagoya, Japan
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Takahashi K, Takahashi K. Alpine ericaceous dwarf shrubs as summer food resources for Asiatic black bears in Japan. URSUS 2022. [DOI: 10.2192/ursus-d-20-00013.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuaki Takahashi
- Faculty of Tourism and Environmental Studies, Nagano University, Japan
| | - Kaori Takahashi
- Division of Gene Research, Department of Life Science, Research Center for Human and Environmental Sciences, Shinshu University, Japan
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Ma Y, Wang M, Wei F, Nie Y. Geographic distributions shape the functional traits in a large mammalian family. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:13175-13185. [PMID: 34646461 PMCID: PMC8495830 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Traits of organisms are shaped by their living environments and also determined in part by their phylogenetic relationships. For example, phylogenetic relationships often affect the geographic distributions of animals and cause variation in their living environments, which usually play key roles in the life history and determine the functional traits of species. As an ancient family of mammals, bears widely distribute and have evolved some specific strategies for survival and reproduction during their long-term evolutionary histories. Many studies on the ecology of bears have been conducted in recent decades, but few have focused on the relationships between their geographic distributions and ecological adaptations. Here, using bears as a model system, we collected and reanalyzed data from the available literatures to explore how geographic distributions and phylogenetic relationships shape the functional traits of animals. We found a positive relationship between phylogenetic relatedness and geographic distributions, with bears distributed in adjacent areas applying more similar strategies to survive and reproduce: (a) Bears living at high latitudes consumed a higher proportion of vertebrates, which may provide more fat for adaptation to low temperatures, and (b) their reproduction rhythms follow fluctuations in seasonal forage availability and quality, in which bears reach mating status from March to May and give birth in approximately November or later.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Ma
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation BiologyInstitute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Meng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation BiologyInstitute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Fuwen Wei
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation BiologyInstitute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and GeneticsChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
| | - Yonggang Nie
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation BiologyInstitute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and GeneticsChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
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Baek S, Iwasaki T, Yamazaki K, Naganuma T, Inagaki A, Tochigi K, Allen ML, Kozakai C, Koike S. Factors Affecting Pre-Denning Activity in Asian Black Bears. MAMMAL STUDY 2021. [DOI: 10.3106/ms2020-0101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Seungyun Baek
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Tadashi Iwasaki
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Koji Yamazaki
- Department of Forest Science, Faculty of Regional Environmental Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Setagaya,Tokyo 156-8502, Japan
| | - Tomoko Naganuma
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Akino Inagaki
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Kahoko Tochigi
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Maximilian L. Allen
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois, 1816 S. Oak Street, Champaign, IL 61820, U.S.A
| | - Chinatsu Kozakai
- Central Region Agricultural Research Center, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Koike
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
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Body mass and physical changes of reintroduced Asiatic black bears. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-021-01514-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Tomiyasu J, Kayano M, Hazano K, Matsui M, Nemoto Y, Naganuma T, Koike S, Yamazaki K. Associations between plasma testosterone levels and season, nutritional status, age, and body size in free-ranging male Asian black bears (Ursus thibetanus) in central Honshu, Japan. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 309:113794. [PMID: 33887270 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2021.113794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Testosterone is an important regulator of male reproduction in terms of spermatogenesis and physiological changes in the accessory reproductive organs. Despite the important role of the testosterone level in male reproduction, testosterone levels vary among male bears even during the breeding season, and the causative underlying factors remain unknown. We postulated that testosterone levels are higher during the breeding season than during other seasons in free-ranging male bears, and that testosterone levels increase with advancing age, larger body size, and better nutritional status. We assessed potential factors (season, time of sampling, body condition index, head circumference, and age) associated with the testosterone level in 80 blood samples collected from free-ranging Asian black bears (Ursus thibetanus) captured in barrel traps in the Ashio-Nikko Mountains and Okutama Mountains in central Honshu Island, Japan. The plasma testosterone level was higher during the breeding season (May-July) than during the non-breeding season (August-November). The body condition index was significantly and positively associated with the plasma testosterone level. None of the other factors were significantly associated with the plasma testosterone level. Therefore, the body condition index may be essential for maintaining high plasma testosterone levels. These findings imply that testosterone secretion might be activated in free-ranging males during the breeding season, and animals with good nutritional status may be able to maintain high plasma testosterone levels. This study uncovered an association between nutritional conditions and reproductive activity in male bears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jumpei Tomiyasu
- Department of Biodiversity Protection, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn 10-748, Poland
| | - Mitsunori Kayano
- Research Center for Global Agromedicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Ken Hazano
- Department of Applied Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Motozumi Matsui
- Department of Applied Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Yui Nemoto
- Okutama Practice Forest, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Okutama Town, Tokyo 198-0212, Japan
| | - Tomoko Naganuma
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Koike
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan; Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Koji Yamazaki
- Department of Forest Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Setagaya, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan.
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10
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Allen ML, Wittmer HU, Ingaki A, Yamazaki K, Koike S. Food caching by bears: A literature review and new observations for Asiatic and American black bears. URSUS 2021. [DOI: 10.2192/ursus-d-20-00008.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian L. Allen
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois, 1816 S Oak Street, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
| | - Heiko U. Wittmer
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Akino Ingaki
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Yamazaki
- Department of Forest Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Koike
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Japan
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Naganuma T, Tanaka M, Tezuka S, M.J.G. Steyaert S, Tochigi K, Inagaki A, Myojo H, Yamazaki K, Koike S. Animal-borne video systems provide insight into the reproductive behavior of the Asian black bear. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:9182-9190. [PMID: 34306614 PMCID: PMC8293739 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies on the mating system of the Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus) have been limited to observations of captive populations and estimations of multiple paternities. Hence, the mating system of wild bears remains poorly understood. Animal-borne camera systems (i.e., cameras mounted on animals) provide novel tools to study the behavior of elusive animals. Here, we used an animal-borne video system to record the activities of wild bears during the mating season. Video camera collars were attached to four adult Asian black bears (male "A" and "B," and female "A" and "B") captured in Tokyo, central Japan, in May and June 2018. The collars were retrieved in July 2018, after which the video data were downloaded and analyzed in terms of bear activity and mating behavior. All the bears were found to interact with other uniquely identifiable bears for some of the time (range 9-22 days) during the deployment period (range 36-45 days), and multiple mating in males was documented. Both males and females exhibited different behaviors on social days (i.e., days when the bear interacted with conspecifics) compared with solitary days (i.e., days with no observed interactions with conspecifics). Compared with solitary days, the bears spent a lower proportion of time on foraging activities and higher proportion of time on resting activities on social days. Our results suggest that Asian black bears have a polygamous mating system, as both sexes consort and potentially mate with multiple partners during a given mating season. Furthermore, bears appeared to reduce their foraging activities on social days and engaged more in social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Naganuma
- Institute of Global Innovation ResearchTokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyFuchuJapan
| | - Mii Tanaka
- Faculty of AgricultureTokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyFuchuJapan
| | - Shiori Tezuka
- Faculty of AgricultureTokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyFuchuJapan
| | | | - Kahoko Tochigi
- United Graduate School of Agricultural ScienceTokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyFuchuJapan
| | - Akino Inagaki
- United Graduate School of Agricultural ScienceTokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyFuchuJapan
| | - Hiroaki Myojo
- United Graduate School of Agricultural ScienceTokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyFuchuJapan
| | - Koji Yamazaki
- Department of Forest ScienceFaculty of Regional Environmental ScienceTokyo University of AgricultureSetagayaJapan
| | - Shinsuke Koike
- Institute of Global Innovation ResearchTokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyFuchuJapan
- Institute of AgricultureTokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyFuchuJapan
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Kurihara Y, Kinoshita K, Shiroishi I, Hanya G. Seasonal variation in energy balance of wild Japanese macaques (Macaca fucata yakui) in a warm-temperate forest: a preliminary assessment in the coastal forest of Yakushima. Primates 2020; 61:427-442. [PMID: 32048082 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-020-00797-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Food scarcity is a major challenge for primates living in temperate forests, where food availability varies markedly among seasons. In Japanese macaques, which are exclusively distributed in temperate zones, the fat accumulation ability has been highlighted as an adaptation for survival during the lean season and for reproductive success. However, the knowledge of energetic strategies of Japanese macaques has been mainly derived from data on cool-temperate forests, where fallback foods comprise winter buds and bark. Data on Japanese macaques in warm-temperate forests where fallback foods comprise mature leaves are still lacking. We aimed to identify seasonal variations in energy balance and the relative importance of ingestion rates (dry matter intake per feeding time), energy content of the food, and feeding time in energy intake of Japanese macaques in the coastal forest of Yakushima. We estimated energy balance of 6-12 adult females from October 2012 to October 2013. We estimated energy intake based on the data on feeding behavior and energy content of the diet and calculated energy expenditure based on the previously established relationship between body mass and total energy expenditure. We also quantified urinary C-peptide, which is a non-invasive biomarker of energetic conditions. We demonstrated that energy balance was more positive in the fruit/seed-feeding period than in the mature-leaf-feeding and fruit/fungi-feeding periods and that ingestion rates were the most important component of energy intake. The present study suggests that the fat accumulation ability is an essential adaptation in Japanese macaques even in warm-temperate forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Kurihara
- Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Kanrin 41-2, Inuyama, Aichi, 484-8506, Japan. .,Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, Nishifujidaira 1623-1, Tenryu, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3532, Japan.
| | | | - Izumi Shiroishi
- Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Kanrin 41-2, Inuyama, Aichi, 484-8506, Japan
| | - Goro Hanya
- Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Kanrin 41-2, Inuyama, Aichi, 484-8506, Japan
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