Population Ecology And Social Ecology Of Rhesus Macaque Disturbed By Ecotourism

Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) is the most widely distributed non-humanprimates under natural conditions. Taihangshan macaque (M. m. tcheliensis), anunique subspecies of rhesus macaque, distributed only in China, and they arecurrently mainly confined to Mt. Taihangshan-Zhongtiaoshan area which situating atthe boundary of Shanxi and Henan province, where is the most northerly boundary ofnatural distribution of Rhesus macaques all over the world. To understand thepopulation ecology and structures of breeding, rank and behaviour, during Feb.2012and Dec.2013, I carried out researches on Taihangshan macaques in JiyuanWulongkou Scenic Area, Henan province, China. The main issues and results of thisstudy are as follows:1) Population ecology of Taihangshan macaques disturbed by ecotourismFrom Mar.2012to Dec2013, by checking references, surveying of macaquemanagers and investigation in the field, Data of population parameters ofTaihangshan macaques in Wulongkou scenic area were collected. The results showedthat:1) the group size was52in1992and533in2013, and the population metexponential increase pattern (Nt=70.209e0.0848t), and the increase rate was10.65%;2)The natality were48.39%and39.73%in2012and2013, respectively. The mortalitieswere separately17.33%and15.52%in2012and2013;3) Dispersal was commonly found in both2012and2013. The dispersal rates in males were57.30%and52.63%in2012and2013, repectively;4) The pernentages of underage individuals were57.30%in2012and64.92%in2013, it is thus the group in study site an expandingpopulation. The results indicated that the target group will continuously increase innear future, while preventing and controlling diseases is critical to protect andsustainably use of Taihangshan macaques in senic area.2) Reproductive parameters and dead-infant-carrying behaviour of Taihangshanmacaques disturbed by ecotourismBy surveying in the field, I collected the date of reproductive time anddead-infant-carrying behaviour. The results showed that:1) The number of givingbirth females were respectively75in2012and58in2013;2) The dilivery periodlasted from February to August, and the mean birth date was10May;3) totally22infant death was found from Feb.2012to Dec.2013, and21of22females carriedcorpses for6.57±1.28days (1-26)(M±SD);4) during dead infant carrying, themother groomed, kissed the corpse; the female behaved timorously, andcommunicated seldom with other individuals. The results indicated that ecotourismdisturbance maybe had influences on Taihangshan macaques, and the case ofdead-infant-carrying, carrying time and responses of others need further research tounderstand.3) Dominance hierarchies of Taihangshan macaques disturbed by ecotourismFrom Mar.2012to Dec.2013, I collected the date of agonistic behaviors amongadult individuals in WLK-5which inhabiting Wulongkou scenic area and eachmember in the group was identified. By using David’s Score method we establishedthe dominance hierarchies of WLK-5. The result showed that:1) The α-rankedindividual is ZM (Zongmao) who was an adult male in WLK-5;2) The dominanceranks of adults individuals in WLK-5were orderly ZM> HB (Heibi)> YT (Yuantou)> BS (Bishang)> CM (Changmao)> CR (Changran)> SC (Shouchang)> FL(Fenlian)> LB (Luobi)> ZB (Zibi)> GT (Guangtou)> BM (Baimao)> SL (Suolian) > SQ (Suolian)> BL (Banluo); and3) An obvious linear dominance hierarchiesamong adult individuals was identified for target group (h=0.88), and the dominancehierarchies among males (h=1.00) was more rigorous than that among females (h=0.88). The results indicated that the dominance hierarchies, in Taihangshan macaquesunder ecotourism conditions, were similar to that of wild troops.4) Activity level and disability status of Taihangshan macaques under ecotouringconditionFrom5Sep.2012to4Sep.2013, by using instantaneous and scan sampliling, Imonitored the activity levels of Taihangshan macaques in Wulongkou scenic area.Totally42individuals have been investigated, and83.33%of them were malemonkeys. The results showed:1) The activity level was38.81（±20.76）%(M±SD),and the one at forenoon was39.60（±20.76）%and38.03（±20.41）%at afternoon;2) The activity level on Saturday were obviously higher than it on Wednesday（am.: t=-3.949, df=47, P <0.01; pm.: t=-3.230, df=47, P <0.01）;3) The activity levelat forenoon was obviously higher than that at afternoon in spring, in summer and inautumn(spring: t=2.923, df=24, P <0.01; summer: t=7.359, df=23, P <0.01;autumn: t=2.314, df=24, P <0.05), and it displayed inversely in winter(t=-4.782,df=24, P <0.01);4) The activity level displayed an obvious linear correlation withthe natural logarithm of tourist number. It was suggested that the capacity and numbershould be controlled for protection and sustainable utilization on macaque resource inthis area.