Li Youbang, Huang Xiaohong, Huang Zhonghao
Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University) Ministry of Education Guilin China.
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Rare and Endangered Animal Ecology Guangxi Normal University Guilin China.
Ecol Evol. 2020 Apr 15;10(11):4956-4967. doi: 10.1002/ece3.6249. eCollection 2020 Jun.
Climatic factors such as temperature and humidity vary seasonally in primate habitats; thus, behavioral adjustments and microhabitat selection by primate species have been interpreted as behavioral adaptations. François' langur (), a native species to southwest China and northern Vietnam, inhabits a limestone habitat with extreme climatic conditions. To understand the potential effects of climatic seasonality on this species, we collected data on the individual behavioral budgets in a group between January and December 2010 in Fusui County, China. Monthly, we performed 5-11 days of observation during this period, using focal animal sampling and continuous recording methods. We also recorded ambient temperature ( ) and relative humidity ( ) data at our study site. Results indicated that and were significantly correlated with each other and fluctuated dramatically on a daily, monthly, and seasonal basis. The amount of time spent resting, grooming, basking, and huddling also varied on a daily, monthly, and seasonal basis. The proportion of resting time and total sedentary activity time significantly increased at high and low s, respectively. The total sedentary time, resting time, and plant branch use all showed positive significant correlations with . Our results suggest that behavioral adjustment and support use of , at least partly, were related to thermoregulation. minimized thermal stress through behavioral adjustments and support use. It is an adaptive behavior associated with the climatic extremes of limestone habitat. This study can potentially advise conservation management strategies in this specific habitat. Conservation efforts should focus on vegetation restoration in langurs' habitat, including those in the foothills.
温度和湿度等气候因素在灵长类动物栖息地会随季节变化；因此，灵长类物种的行为调整和微栖息地选择被解释为行为适应。黑叶猴（Francois' langur）是中国西南部和越南北部的本土物种，栖息于气候条件极端的石灰岩栖息地。为了解气候季节性变化对该物种的潜在影响，我们于2010年1月至12月在中国扶绥县收集了一群黑叶猴个体行为预算的数据。在此期间，我们每月进行5至11天的观察，采用焦点动物取样法和连续记录法。我们还记录了研究地点的环境温度（ambient temperature）和相对湿度（relative humidity）数据。结果表明，温度和湿度显著相关，且在每日、每月和季节尺度上波动剧烈。休息、梳理毛发、晒太阳和挤在一起的时间在每日、每月和季节尺度上也有所不同。休息时间比例和总久坐活动时间分别在温度较高和较低时显著增加。总久坐时间、休息时间和对植物枝条的利用均与湿度呈显著正相关。我们的结果表明，行为调整和对微栖息地的利用至少部分与体温调节有关。黑叶猴通过行为调整和微栖息地利用将热应激降至最低。这是一种与石灰岩栖息地极端气候相关的适应性行为。本研究可为这一特定栖息地的保护管理策略提供潜在建议。保护工作应侧重于黑叶猴栖息地的植被恢复，包括山麓地区的植被恢复。
