Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Home Range Size and Habitat use by Cat Ba Langurs (Trachypithecus poliocephalus) in a Disturbed and Fragmented Habitat

  • Published:
International Journal of Primatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Primate home range size and habitat use are affected by resource availability, which may change seasonally. Limestone langurs (Trachypithecus genus), including the Critically Endangered Cat Ba langur (Trachypithecus poliocephalus), live on limestone karst hills with shrubby and discontinuous vegetation. This study explores home range size and habitat use in relation to substrate, vegetation coverage, and hill type for Cat Ba langurs living on Cat Ba Island. We predicted that home range size would be similar to that of other limestone langurs and that as resources vary seasonally and across habitat types, habitat use would vary with season and behavior, with foraging concentrated on slopes, where food is plentiful. We collected 180 days of observational data on two reproductive groups (N = 7 and N = 10–13), taking GPS fixes of the group whenever they moved farther than the typical group spread to determine home ranges, and 10-min instantaneous scans to assess habitat use. The two groups had home ranges of 22 ha and 50 ha (0.32 and 0.20–0.26 individuals/ha respectively). Ranges for both groups were smaller in the dry season than the wet season, although we could not assess seasonal variation statistically. The langurs spent most scans on rocks, in sparsely vegetated areas, and on exposed slopes and steep cliffs; however they foraged primarily on gradually inclined slopes, especially in the dry season. These results suggest that conservation efforts should focus on protecting nutritionally important valleys and exposed slopes to ensure year-long access to food resources. It may, however, be difficult to balance human and nonhuman primate habitat use.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agmen, F. (2014). Conservation strategies for Delacour’s langur (Trachypithecus delacouri) in Vietnam: Behavioural comparisons and reviewing a release (PhD dissertation). Australian National University, Canberra.

  • Altmann, J. (1974). Observational study of behavior: Sampling methods. Behaviour, 49(3), 227–266.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, J. R. (1984). Ethology and ecology of sleep in monkeys and apes. Advances in the Study of Behavior, 14, 165–230.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barton, R. A., Whiten, A., Strum, S. C., Byrne, R. W., & Simpson, A. J. (1992). Habitat use and resource availability in baboons. Animal Behaviour, 43(5), 831–844.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bleisch, B., Le Xuan Canh, Covert, B., & Yongcheng, L. (2008). Trachypithecus poliocephalus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Version 2015.2.

  • Chapman, C. A., & Chapman, L. J. (2002). Foraging challenges of red colobus monkeys: Influence of nutrients and secondary compounds. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 133(3), 861–875.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Choo, G. M., Waterman, P. G., McKey, D. B., & Gartlan, J. S. (1981). A simple enzyme assay for dry matter digestibility and its value in studying food selection by generalist herbivores. Oecologia, 49, 170–178.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clutton-Brock, T. H. (1975). Ranging behaviour of red colobus (Colobus badius tephrosceles) in the Gombe National Park. Animal Behaviour, 23, 706–722.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clutton-Brock, T. H., & Harvey, P. H. (1977). Species differences in feeding and ranging behaviour in primates. In T. H. Clutton-Brock (Ed.), Primate ecology: Studies of feeding and ranging behaviour in lemurs, monkeys and apes (pp. 557–584). London: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coley, P. D. (1983). Herbivory and defensive characteristics of tree species in a lowland tropical forest. Ecological Monographs, 53, 209–234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dasilva, G. L. (1993). Postural changes and behavioural thermoregulation in Colobus polykomos: The effect of climate and diet. African Journal of Ecology, 31, 226–241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Decker, B. S. (1994). Effects of habitat disturbance on the behavioral ecology and demographics of the Tana River red colobus (Colobus badius rufomitratus). International Journal of Primatology, 15(5), 703–737.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elser, S. K., Chung, N. H., & Brühl, C. A. (2015). Reintroduction of the ‘critically endangered’ Delacour’s langur (Trachypithecus delacouri) into van long nature reserve, Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam. Vietnamese Journal of Primatology, 2(3), 1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Esri 10.3.1 (2015). Topographic" [basemap in ArcGIS]. Scale not given. "Southeast Asia topographic map. Viewed April, 12, 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fashing, P. J. (2001). Activity and ranging patterns of guerezas in the Kakamega Forest: Intergroup variation and implications for intragroup feeding competition. International Journal of Primatology, 22(4), 549–577.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fashing, P. J., Mulindahabi, F., Gakima, J.-B., Masozera, M., Mununura, I., et al (2007). Activity and ranging patterns of Colobus angolensis ruwenzorii in Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda: Possible costs of large group size. International Journal of Primatology, 28(3), 529–550.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • González Monge, Á. (2016). The socioecology, and the effects of human activity on it, of the Annamese silvered langur (Trachypithecus margarita) in Northeastern Cambodia. PhD dissertation, Australian National University, Canberra.

  • Google Earth V 7.1. (2015) Vietnam, South East Asia. 15°47′39°N, 105°54′37°E. SIO, NOAA, U.S. Navy, NGA, GEBCO, ZENRIN. http://www.earth.google.com/web/data=CkoaSBJCCiUweDMxMTU3YTRkNzM2YTFlNWY6MHhiMDNiYjBjOWUyZmU2MmJlGdAksaTcHSxAIfje36C9EVtAKgdWaWV0bmFtGAIgAQ [April 2013].

  • Groves, C. P. (2001). Primate taxonomy. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grueter, C. C., & Ding, W. (2006). An observation of François’ langurs using caves at Mayanghe National Nature Reserve, Guizhou, China. Zoological Research, 27(5), 558–560.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grueter, C. C., Li, D., Ren, B., & Li, M. (2013). Overwintering strategy of Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys: Adjustments in activity scheduling and foraging patterns. Primates, 54(2), 125–135.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grueter, C. C., Li, D., Ren, B., & Wei, F. (2009). Choice of analytical method can have dramatic effects on primate home range estimates. Primates, 50(1), 81–84.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harding, L. E. (2011). Trachypithecus delacouri (Primates: Cercopithecidae). Mammalian Species, 43(880), 118–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haus, T., Vogt, M., Forster, B., Ngoc Thanh, V., & Ziegler, T. (2009). Distribution and population densities of diurnal primates in the karst forests of Phong Nha–Ke bang National Park, Quang Binh province, Central Vietnam. International Journal of Primatology, 30(2), 301–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hendershott, R., Behie, A., & Rawson, B. (2016). Seasonal variation in the activity and dietary budgets of cat Ba langurs (Trachypithecus poliocephalus). International Journal of Primatology, 37(4–5), 586–604.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, G. (2007) Socioecology and behavioural flexibility of Francois’ langur (Trachypithecus francoisi) in Mayanghe Nature Reserve, Southwest China. PhD dissertation, Australian National University, Canberra.

  • Hu, G., Dong, X., Wei, Y., Zhu, Y., & Duan, X. (2004). Evidence for a decline of François’ langur Trachypithecus françoisi in Fusui nature reserve, south-West Guangxi. China. Oryx, 38(1), 48–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, C., & Li, Y. (2005). How does the white-headed langur (Trachypithecus leucocephalus) adapt locomotor behavior to its unique limestone hill habitat? Primates, 46(4), 261–267.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, C., Sun, R., Xue, Y., Wei, S., & Li, Y. (2000). The research on dietary and feeding time budget of white-headed leaf monkey. Acta Anthropologica Sinica, 19(1), 65–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, C., Wei, F., Li, M., Li, Y., & Sun, R. (2003). Sleeping cave selection, activity pattern and time budget of white-headed langurs. International Journal of Primatology, 24(4), 813–824.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, C., Wei, F., Li, M., Quan, G., & Li, H. (2002). Current status and conservation of white-headed langur (Trachypithecus leucocephalus) in China. Biological Conservation, 104(2), 221–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, C., Wu, H., Zhou, Q., Li, Y., & Cai, X. (2008). Feeding strategy of François’ langur and white-headed langur at Fusui, China. American Journal of Primatology, 70(4), 320–326.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • IUCN. (2015). Limestone langur distribution. Shapefiles.

  • Kaplin, B. A. (2001). Ranging behavior of two species of guenons (Cercopithecus lhoesti and C. mitis doggetti) in the Nyungwe Forest reserve, Rwanda. International Journal of Primatology, 22(4), 521–548.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelt, D. A., & van Vuren, D. H. (2001). The ecology and macroecology of mammalian home range area. The American Naturalist, 157(6), 637–645.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lees, C., Rawson, B. M., Behie, A. M., Hendershott, R., & Leonard, N. (2014). Preliminary population viability analysis of the Critically Endangered Cat Ba Langur (Trachypithecus poliocephalus). IUCN SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, Fauna & Flora International, Hanoi.

  • Leonard, N., Luan, M., Passaro, R., Raffel, M., Adler, J., et al (2016). Current status of the cat Ba langur population: Numbers, population trend, and birth rates. In Presented at the international Primatological society. Chicago: USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, B., Chen, C., Ji, W., & Ren, B. (2000). Seasonal home range changes of the Sichuan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in the Qinling Mountains of China. Folia Primatologica, 71(6), 375–386.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, D., Zhou, Q., Tang, X., Huang, H., & Huang, C. (2011). Sleeping site use of the white-headed langur Trachypithecus leucocephalus: The role of predation risk, territorial defense. and proximity to feeding sites. Current Zoology, 57(3), 260–268.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y., Ding, P., Huang, C., Jiang, P., & Wood, C. (2009). Dietary response of a group of Francois’ langur Trachypithecus francoisi in a fragmented habitat in the county of Fusui, China: Implications for conservation. Wildlife Biology, 15(2), 137–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Z., & Rogers, E. (2004). Habitat quality and activity budgets of white-headed langurs in Fusui, China. International Journal of Primatology, 25(1), 41–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Z., & Rogers, M. E. (2005a). Are limestone hills a refuge or essential habitat for white-headed langurs in Fusui, China? International Journal of Primatology, 26(2), 437–452.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Z., & Rogers, M. E. (2005b). Habitat quality and range use of white-headed langurs in Fusui, China. Folia Primatologica, 76(4), 185–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Z., & Rogers, M. E. (2006). Food items consumed by white-headed langurs in Fusui, China. International Journal of Primatology, 27(6), 1551–1567.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mark, H. (2009). Karst landscapes in the bay of Ha Long, Vietnam. Geographische Rundschau International Edition, 5(1), 48–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, P., & Bateson, P. P. G. (2009). Measuring behaviour: An introductory guide (3rd ed.). New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKey, D., Gartlan, J., Waterman, P., & Choo, G. M. (1981). Food selection by black colobus monkeys (Colobus satanas) in relation to plant chemistry. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 16(2), 115–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milton, K. (1979). Factors influencing leaf choice by howler monkeys: A test of some hypotheses of food selection by generalist herbivores. The American Naturalist, 114, 362–378.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nadler, T. (2004). Distribution and status of the Delacour’s langur (Trachypithecus delacouri) and recommendations for its long-term conservation. In T. Nadler, R. Streicher, & Thăng long Hà (Eds.), Conservation of primates in Vietnam (pp. 63–71). Hanoi: Frankfurt Zoological Society.

  • Nadler, T., & Ha Thang Long. (2000). The Cat Ba langur: Past, present and future. The definitive report on Trachypithecus poliocephalus, the world’s rarest primate. Hanoi: Frankfurt Zoological Society.

  • Nadler, T., Momberg, F., Nguyen Xuan Dang, & Lormee, N. (2003). Vietnam primate conservation status review 2002. Part 2: Leaf monkeys (pp. 145–164). Hanoi: Fauna & Flora International, Frankfurt Zoological Society

  • Nadler, T., Thanh, V. N., & Streicher, U. (2007). Conservation status of Vietnamese primates. Vietnamese Journal of Primatology, 1(1), 7–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newton, P. (1992). Feeding and ranging patterns of forest hanuman langurs (Presbytis entellus). International Journal of Primatology, 13(3), 245–285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Quan, N., Thanh, T. D., & Van Huy, D. (2010). Landscapes and ecosystems of tropical limestone: Case study of the cat Ba Islands, Vietnam. Journal of Ecology and Environment, 33(1), 23–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nisbett, R. A., & Ciochon, R. L. (1993). Primates in northern Viet Nam: A review of the ecology and conservation status of extant species, with notes on Pleistocene localities. International Journal of Primatology, 14(5), 765–795.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oates, J. F. (1977). The guereza and its food. In T. H. Clutton-Brock (Ed.), Primate ecology: Studies of feeding and ranging behaviour in lemurs, monkeys and apes (pp. 276–321). New York and London: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oates, J. F. (1978). Water-plant and soil consumption by guereza monkeys (Colobus guereza): A relationship with minerals and toxins in the diet? Biotropica, 10(4), 241–253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oates, J. F., Waterman, P. G., & Choo, G. M. (1980). Food selection by the south Indian leaf-monkey, Presbytis johnii, in relation to leaf chemistry. Oecologia, 45, 45–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ostro, L. E. T., Young, T. P., Silver, S. C., & Koontz, F. W. (1999). A geographic information system method for estimating home range size. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 63(2), 748–755.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pages, G., Lloyd, E., & Suarez, S. A. (2005). The impact of geophagy on ranging behaviour in Phayre’s leaf monkeys (Trachypithecus phayrei). Folia Primatologica, 76(6), 342–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phan Duy Thuc, Bosch, O. J. H., Nguyen Cam Nam, & Tuyen Thanh Le. (2014). Dynamics and viability of the Critically Endangered Cat Ba Langur: A new perspective for conservation actions. In Proceedings of the 57th Annual Meeting of the ISSS-2013, HaiPhong, Vietnam (Vol. 1).

  • Phiapalath, P., & Suwanwaree, P. (2010). Time budget and activity of red-shanked douc langurs, Pygathrix nemaeus in Hin Namno National Protected Area, Lao PDR. In T. Nadler, B. M. Rawson, & Van Ngoc Thinh (Eds.), Conservation of primates in Indochina (pp. 171–178). Hanoi: Frankfurt Zoological Society.

  • Roos, C., Boonratana, R., Supriatna, J., Fellowes, J. R., Groves, C. P., et al (2014). An updated taxonomy and conservation status review of Asian primates. Asian Primates Journal, 4(1), 2–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, I., Tielen, I. H. M., Rode, J., Levelink, P., & Schrudde, D. (2010). Behavioral observations and notes on the vertical ranging pattern of the critically endangered cat Ba langur (Trachypithecus poliocephalus poliocephalus) in Vietnam. Primate Conservation, 25, 111–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schoener, T. W. (1971). Theory of feeding strategies. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 2, 369–404.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schrudde, D., Levelink, P., & Raffel, M. (2010). Protection of the Cat Ba langur (Trachypithecus [poliocephalus] poliocephalus) through the “Cat Ba langur Conservation Project.” In T. Nadler, B. M. Rawson, & Van Ngoc Thinh (Eds.), Conservation of primates in Indochina (pp. 237–243). Hanoi: Frankfurt Zoological Society.

  • Stenke, R., & Chu Xuan Canh. (2004). The golden-headed langur (Trachypithecus Poliocephalus poliocephalus) on Cat Ba Island: Status, threat factors and recovery Options In T. Nadler, R. Streicher, & Thăng Long Hà (Eds.), Conservation of primates in Vietnam (pp. 72–77). Hanoi: Frankfurt Zoological Society.

  • Sterling, E. J., Hurley, M. M., & Le Duc Manh. (2006). Vietnam: A natural history. New Haven, CT and London: Yale University Press.

  • Teichroeb, J. A., Saj, T. L., Paterson, J. D., & Sicotte, P. (2003). Effect of group size on activity budgets of Colobus vellerosus in Ghana. International Journal of Primatology, 24(4), 743–758.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thanh Van Mai, Bosch, O., & Maani, K.E. (2011). Towards a shared systems model of stakeholders in tourism development in the cat Ba biosphere reserve of Vietnam. I 29th International Conference of the System Dynamics Society, Washington, DC (pp. 26–35).

  • Van Mai, T., & Maani, K. E. (2010). Systems thinking for sustainable tourism in the cat Ba biosphere reserve of Viet Nam. In Proceedings of regional conference on tourism research (pp. 26–35). Malaysia: Practical Priners Sdn.Bhd, Penang.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, D. Z., & Jin, T. (2004). Current status of the white-headed langur (Trachypithecus poliocephalus leucocephalus): Distribution, population structure and conservation. In T. Nadler, R. Streicher, & Thăng long Hà (Eds.), Conservation of primates in Vietnam (pp. 115–116). Hanoi: Frankfurt Zoological Society.

  • Wang, S., Luo, Y., & Cui, G. (2011). Sleeping site selection of Francois’s langur (Trachypithecus francoisi) in two habitats in Mayanghe National Nature Reserve, Guizhou, China. Primates, 52(1), 51–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Waterman, P. G., Mbi, C. N., McKey, D. B., & Gartlan, J. S. (1980). African rainforest vegetation and rumen microbes: Phenolic compounds and nutrients as correlates of digestibility. Oecologia, 47, 22–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Workman, C. (2010). The foraging ecology of the Delacour’s langur (Trachypithecus delacouri) in van long. PhD dissertation. In Duke University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Workman, C., & Schmitt, D. (2012). Positional behavior of Delacour’s langurs (Trachypithecus delacouri) in northern Vietnam. International Journal of Primatology, 33(1), 19–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Worton, B. J. (1987). A review of models of home range for animal movement. Ecological Modelling, 38, 277–298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiong, J., Gong, S. H., Qiu, C., & Li, Z. Y. (2009). Comparison of locomotor behavior between white-headed langurs Trachypithecus leucocephalus and Francois’ langurs T. francoisi in Fusui, China. Current Zoology, 55(1), 9–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeng, Y., Xu, J., Wang, Y., & Zhou, C. (2013). Habitat association and conservation implications of endangered Francois’ langur (Trachypithecus francoisi). PLoS One, 8(10), e75661.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, Q., Huang, C., Li, M., & Wei, F. (2009). Sleeping site use by Trachypithecus francoisi at Nonggang nature reserve, China. International Journal of Primatology, 30(2), 353–365.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, Q., Huang, C., Li, Y., & Cai, X. (2007a). Ranging behavior of the François’ langur (Trachypithecus francoisi) in the Fusui nature reserve, China. Primates, 48(4), 320–323.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, Q., Huang, H., Tang, X., & Huang, C. (2010). Seasonal variation in the activity budgets of the white-headed langur. Acta Theriologica Sinica, 30(4), 449–455.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, Q., Luo, B., Wei, F., & Huang, C. (2013). Habitat use and locomotion of the François’ langur (Trachypithecus francoisi) in limestone habitats of Nonggang, China. Integrative Zoology, 8(4), 346–355.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, Q., Tang, X., Huang, H., & Huang, C. (2011). Factors affecting the ranging behavior of white-headed langurs (Trachypithecus leucocephalus). International Journal of Primatology, 32(2), 511–523.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, Q., Wei, F., Huang, C., Li, M., Ren, B., & Luo, B. (2007b). Seasonal variation in the activity patterns and time budgets of Trachypithecus francoisi in the Nonggang nature reserve, China. International Journal of Primatology, 28(3), 657–671.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study would not have been possible without the support and cooperation of the Cat Ba Langur Conservation Project and Cat Ba National Park. Mr. Nguyen Cam (Cat Ba National Park ranger) assisted by driving the boat and having a keen eye for langur spotting. Mr. Neahga Leonard, Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Han, Mr. Mai Sy Luan, and Mr. Tran Van Lan (all from the Cat Ba Langur Conservation Project) as well as Nguyen The Cuong (Fauna & Flora International) provided on-the-ground support, for which we are very grateful. Dr. Teresa Neeman in the Statistical Consulting Unit of Australian National University provided invaluable assistance in analyses. We are appreciative of the image preparation provided by Benjamin Kimitsuka. Grants were generously provided by Australian National University Research Training Scheme funding, Primate Action Fund (PAF 14-15; CI Contract 1000575), Mohamed Bin Zayed (Grant #13257134), and WildInvest and Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (Grant 64587). The authors thank anonymous reviewers and the editor for their contribution to draft editing.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rebecca Hendershott.

Additional information

Handling Editor: Joanna M. Setchell

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hendershott, R., Rawson, B. & Behie, A. Home Range Size and Habitat use by Cat Ba Langurs (Trachypithecus poliocephalus) in a Disturbed and Fragmented Habitat. Int J Primatol 39, 547–566 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-018-0051-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-018-0051-9

Keywords

Navigation