Intraspecific feeding niche differentiation in Macaca mulatta with high population density
Interspecific niche differentiation is an essential mechanism for maintaining species coexistence.Moreover,some species exhibit intraspecific niche differentiation to reduce resource competition.However,studies on the latter are relatively scarce compared to those on the former.Rhesus macaques(Macaca mulatta),the most widely distributed nonhuman primates,have a generalized diet and can adapt to diverse environments.On Neilingding Island,Shenzhen,China,there is a large population of wild macaques with a high population density,comprising nearly 1,000 individuals on an island of less than 5 km.A large overlap between home range of neighboring groups,abundant food resources,and lack of natural predators on the island provide ideal conditions for investigating intraspecific niche differentiation.Observation of the feeding habits of the four macaque groups on the island revealed that macaques consumed 350 food parts(such as leaves,buds,flowers,and fruits)from 120 speices.There were distinct variations in the foods consumed by the different groups,monthly as well as annually.These results suggested that intraspecific niche differentiation in feeding habits may have occurred among the macaques on the island.Furthermore,diverse foraging strategies might explain why such a high density of macaque populations can thrive on small islands with abundant food resources and few competitors.
Macaca mulattaniche differentiationfeeding habitsforaging strategieshigh-density population
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