1
|
Chen Y, McConkey KR, Fan P. Sympatric primate seed dispersers and predators jointly contribute to plant diversity in a subtropical forest. Oecologia 2023; 202:715-727. [PMID: 37553533 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05430-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Mutualistic and antagonistic plant-animal interactions differentially contribute to the maintenance of species diversity in ecological communities. Although both seed dispersal and predation by fruit-eating animals are recognized as important drivers of plant population dynamics, the mechanisms underlying how seed dispersers and predators jointly affect plant diversity remain largely unexplored. Based on mediating roles of seed size and species abundance, we investigated the effects of seed dispersal and predation by two sympatric primates (Nomascus concolor and Trachypithecus crepusculus) on local plant recruitment in a subtropical forest of China. Over a 26 month period, we confirmed that these primates were functionally distinct: gibbons were legitimate seed dispersers who dispersed seeds of 44 plant species, while langurs were primarily seed predators who destroyed seeds of 48 plant species. Gibbons dispersed medium-seeded species more effectively than small- and large-seeded species, and dispersed more seeds of rare species than common and dominant species. Langurs showed a similar predation rate across different sizes of seeds, but destroyed a large number of seeds from common species. Due to gut passage effects, gibbons significantly shortened the duration of seed germination for 58% of the dispersed species; however, for 54% of species, seed germination rates were reduced significantly. Our study underlined the contrasting contributions of two primate species to local plant recruitment processes. By dispersing rare species and destroying the seeds of common species, both primates might jointly maintain plant species diversity. To maintain healthy ecosystems, the conservation of mammals that play critical functional roles needs to receive further attention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Kim R McConkey
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, University of Nottingham Malaysia, 43500, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Pengfei Fan
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Qi XG, Wu J, Zhao L, Wang L, Guang X, Garber PA, Opie C, Yuan Y, Diao R, Li G, Wang K, Pan R, Ji W, Sun H, Huang ZP, Xu C, Witarto AB, Jia R, Zhang C, Deng C, Qiu Q, Zhang G, Grueter CC, Wu D, Li B. Adaptations to a cold climate promoted social evolution in Asian colobine primates. Science 2023; 380:eabl8621. [PMID: 37262163 DOI: 10.1126/science.abl8621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The biological mechanisms that underpin primate social evolution remain poorly understood. Asian colobines display a range of social organizations, which makes them good models for investigating social evolution. By integrating ecological, geological, fossil, behavioral, and genomic analyses, we found that colobine primates that inhabit colder environments tend to live in larger, more complex groups. Specifically, glacial periods during the past 6 million years promoted the selection of genes involved in cold-related energy metabolism and neurohormonal regulation. More-efficient dopamine and oxytocin pathways developed in odd-nosed monkeys, which may have favored the prolongation of maternal care and lactation, increasing infant survival in cold environments. These adaptive changes appear to have strengthened interindividual affiliation, increased male-male tolerance, and facilitated the stepwise aggregation from independent one-male groups to large multilevel societies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Guang Qi
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jinwei Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lan Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lu Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | | | - Paul A Garber
- Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Christopher Opie
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Yuan Yuan
- College of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Runjie Diao
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Gang Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Kun Wang
- College of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ruliang Pan
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Weihong Ji
- School of Natural and Computational Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Zhi-Pang Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chunzhong Xu
- Shanghai Wild Animal Park Development Co., Shanghai, China
| | - Arief B Witarto
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Pertahanan, Jabodetabek, Indonesia
| | - Rui Jia
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | | | - Cheng Deng
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiang Qiu
- College of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Guojie Zhang
- Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Cyril C Grueter
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Dongdong Wu
- Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Baoguo Li
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
|
4
|
Identifying transboundary conservation priorities in a biodiversity hotspot of China and Myanmar: Implications for data poor mountainous regions. Glob Ecol Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
|
5
|
Thinley P, Norbu T, Rajaratnam R, Vernes K, Wangchuk K, Choki K, Tenzin J, Tenzin S, Kinley, Dorji S, Wangchuk T, Cheda K, Gempa. Population abundance and distribution of the endangered golden langur (Trachypithecus geei, Khajuria 1956) in Bhutan. Primates 2019; 60:437-448. [PMID: 31376052 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-019-00737-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Reliable population estimates are lacking for many South Asian primate species, including the golden langur (Trachypithecus geei), which is endangered and restricted to Bhutan and northeast India. Although well studied in India, few studies exist on this species in Bhutan. In November 2017, we undertook a nationwide survey of golden langurs in Bhutan using double observers along trail-based transects in 17 blocks within its habitat, and modeled its distribution using MaxEnt. A total of 2439 golden langurs in 222 groups were collectively encountered by 17 teams of double observers, from which, an overall population of 2516 ± SE 363 individuals and 236 ± SE 9 groups were estimated. Group sizes varied from 2 to 35 individuals with a mean of 11 ± SD 0.38 individuals. A total of 468 adult males (19%), 924 adult females (38%), 649 juveniles (27%), and 398 infants (16%) were counted. Adult male-to-female sex ratio was 1:1.97 and adult female-to-infant ratio was 1:0.43. We determined 2848 km2 of suitable area for golden langurs in Bhutan and estimated a density of 0.88 individuals/km2. Our population estimate of golden langurs in Bhutan is much lower than the current IUCN estimate of 4000 individuals for Bhutan, necessitating a reassessment of its current conservation status due to threats from road kills, electrocution, and development activities like road construction, hydropower, and electrical transmission lines. We further recommend our refined double-observer survey method to reliably estimate primate populations in rugged terrain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phuntsho Thinley
- Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment Research, Department of Forests and Park Services, Lamaigoenpa, Bumthang, 32001, Bhutan. .,Ecosystem Management, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia.
| | - Tshewang Norbu
- Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment Research, Department of Forests and Park Services, Lamaigoenpa, Bumthang, 32001, Bhutan
| | | | - Karl Vernes
- Ecosystem Management, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia
| | - Kezang Wangchuk
- Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment Research, Department of Forests and Park Services, Lamaigoenpa, Bumthang, 32001, Bhutan
| | - Karma Choki
- Sarpang Forest Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Sarpang, 31002, Bhutan
| | - Jigme Tenzin
- Sarpang Forest Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Sarpang, 31002, Bhutan
| | - Sangay Tenzin
- Sarpang Forest Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Sarpang, 31002, Bhutan
| | - Kinley
- Tsirang Forest Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Tsirang, 36001, Bhutan
| | - Shacha Dorji
- Tsirang Forest Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Tsirang, 36001, Bhutan
| | - Tshering Wangchuk
- Tsirang Forest Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Tsirang, 36001, Bhutan
| | - Karma Cheda
- Tsirang Forest Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Tsirang, 36001, Bhutan
| | - Gempa
- Tsirang Forest Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Tsirang, 36001, Bhutan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pan WB, Ding W, He XD, Zhang LX, Zhao XF, Ma C, Huang ZP, Ren GP, Xiao W. Low input parks strategy can work: Dynamic profile of Mishmi Takins under constrained conservation management in Mt. Gaoligong, China. Glob Ecol Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
|
7
|
Orkin JD, Yang Y, Yang C, Yu DW, Jiang X. Cost-effective scat-detection dogs: unleashing a powerful new tool for international mammalian conservation biology. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34758. [PMID: 27721442 PMCID: PMC5056371 DOI: 10.1038/srep34758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, detection dogs have been utilized to collect fecal samples from cryptic and rare mammals. Despite the great promise of this technique for conservation biology, its broader application has been limited by the high cost (tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars) and logistical challenges of employing a scat-detection dog team while conducting international, collaborative research. Through an international collaboration of primatologists and the Chinese Ministry of Public Security, we trained and used a detection dog to find scat from three species of unhabituated, free-ranging primates, for less than $3,000. We collected 137 non-human primate fecal samples that we confirmed by sequencing taxonomically informative genetic markers. Our detection dog team had a 92% accuracy rate, significantly outperforming our human-only team. Our results demonstrate that detection dogs can locate fecal samples from unhabituated primates with variable diets, locomotion, and grouping patterns, despite challenging field conditions. We provide a model for in-country training, while also building local capacity for conservation and genetic monitoring. Unlike previous efforts, our approach will allow for the wide adoption of scat-detection dogs in international conservation biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph D. Orkin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 Jiaochang Donglu, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
- Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Yuming Yang
- Kunming Police Dog Training Base, Chinese Ministry of Security, 579 Baiyunlu Kunming, Yunnan, 650204, China
| | - Chunyan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 Jiaochang Donglu, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Douglas W. Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 Jiaochang Donglu, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR47TJ, UK
| | - Xuelong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 Jiaochang Donglu, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| |
Collapse
|