Preliminary study on the conflict behavior between sympatric Hainan gibbons and rhesus macaques in the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest
Understanding the pattern and the process of interspecific competition among sympatric animals is important,as interspecific competition is a key factor limiting population increase and is of great significance for conservation man-agement.Hainan gibbon(Nomascus hainanus)is one of the most endangered primates in the world,currently distributed only in the Bawangling area of National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest,Hainan,China.Rhesus macaque(Macaca mulatta)population,a common species in this area,is growing rapidly in recent years,which may lead to interspecific competition with Hainan gibbons.In this study,we used focal animal sampling and whole-event recording methods to in-vestigate the conflict behavior between one gibbon group(Group E)and one macaque group.Based on the observation of individuals and food patches,we inferred the recorded conflict behavior between these two species was a case of inter-ference competition.Our results provided an important case for understanding the processes and mechanisms of primate interspecific relationships.This study emphasizes that the effects of interspecific competition should be fully recognized in the conservation management of endangered species.