Karst Habitat Fragmentation and the Conservation of the White-Headed Langur (<i>Trachypithecus leucocephalus</i>) in China

Huang, Cheng-Ming; Li, Youbang; Zhou, Qihai; Feng, Yongxin; Zhi, Chen; Wu, Zhengjun

doi:10.1896/052.023.0116

Cited by 19 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Other distribution areas were likely to have experienced population declines during the same period of time. Habitat destruction and fragmentation by human development and poaching were possibly the main reasons for severe population decline during this period of time [ 15 , 19 , 20 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low Genetic Diversity and Strong Geographical Structure of the Critically Endangered White-Headed Langur (Trachypithecus leucocephalus) Inferred from Mitochondrial DNA Control Region Sequences

et al. 2015

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Many Asian colobine monkey species are suffering from habitat destruction and population size decline. There is a great need to understand their genetic diversity, population structure and demographic history for effective species conservation. The white-headed langur (Trachypithecus leucocephalus) is a Critically Endangered colobine species endemic to the limestone karst forests in southwestern China. We analyzed the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences of 390 fecal samples from 40 social groups across the main distribution areas, which represented one-third of the total extant population. Only nine haplotypes and 10 polymorphic sites were identified, indicating remarkably low genetic diversity in the species. Using a subset of 77 samples from different individuals, we evaluated genetic variation, population structure, and population demographic history. We found very low values of haplotype diversity (h = 0.570 ± 0.056) and nucleotide diversity (π = 0.00323 ± 0.00044) in the hypervariable region I (HVRI) of the mtDNA control region. Distribution of haplotypes displayed marked geographical pattern, with one population (Chongzuo, CZ) showing a complete lack of genetic diversity (having only one haplotype), whereas the other population (Fusui, FS) having all nine haplotypes. We detected strong population genetic structure among habit patches (Φ ST = 0.375, P < 0.001). In addition, the Mantel test showed a significant correlation between the pairwise genetic distances and geographical distances among social groups in FS (correlation coefficient = 0.267, P = 0.003), indicting isolation-by-distance pattern of genetic divergence in the mtDNA sequences. Analyses of demographic history suggested an overall stable historical population size and modest population expansion in the last 2,000 years. Our results indicate different genetic diversity and possibly distinct population history for different local populations, and suggest that CZ and FS should be considered as one evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) and two management units (MUs) pending further investigation using nuclear markers.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low Genetic Diversity and Strong Geographical Structure of the Critically Endangered White-Headed Langur (Trachypithecus leucocephalus) Inferred from Mitochondrial DNA Control Region Sequences

et al. 2015

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“…of the Indian subcontinent are amongst the most commensal of all primates and seem to thrive in human landscapes (Chhangani & Mohnot 2004, Waite et al 2007, whereas the karst-dwelling langurs Trachypithecus spp. of Indochina have all but vanished as a result of human expansion into their territories (Nadler et al 2007, Huang et al 2008.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat use by western purple-faced langurs Trachypithecus vetulus nestor (Colobinae) in a fragmented suburban landscape

Moore¹,

Nekaris²,

Eschmann³

2010

Endang. Species. Res.

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As natural habitats around the globe disappear, humans and non-human primates become increasingly engaged in complex interactions, both peaceful and hostile. Sri Lanka's endemic western purple-faced langur Trachypithecus vetulus nestor persists in the majority of its range in complete sympatry with humans. Listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN and one of the world's top 25 most endangered primates, their survival appears dependent on the tolerance of humans with whom they coexist. Our aims were to augment the limited information on T. v. nestor focusing on group composition and behavioural adaptations in relation to its heavily fragmented habitat. Research was carried out in Talangama Wetlands, Sri Lanka in 2007. The 5 groups varied in size from 11 to 19 individuals Monkeys regularly used fences, rooftops, power lines, and agricultural trees. Two groups of 19 and 16 individuals had home ranges of 3.06 and 2.86 ha respectively. They consumed a variety of foods including fruits, showing dietary flexibility; the fruits and leaves of Arctocarpus heterophyllus were the langurs' most frequently consumed foods. The langurs seem to be adapting to these human-modified environments. Notwithstanding, areas for concern include potentially fatal dangers when crossing between fragments, increasing human-primate conflict and intergroup conflict, and permanent genetic isolation.

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“…These langurs are highly folivorous [Huang, 2002;Li et al, 2003;Li and Rogers, 2006]. The white-headed langurs have suffered from heavy forest fragmentation; the fragments contain fewer plant species and smaller average patch sizes and thus there is less food for the langurs [Li et al, 2003;Chen et al, 2008;Huang et al, 2008]. Moreover, resource availability follows an intense seasonal pattern in limestone habitats, and the availability of young leaves and fruits decreases significantly during the dry season [Li and Rogers, 2006;Zhou et al, 2006].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Group Size on Time Budgets and Ranging Behavior of White-Headed Langurs in Limestone Forest, Southwest China

Zhang

Zhou

et al. 2019

IJFP

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The ecological constraints model is well supported by data from most frugivorous primates; however, the prediction power of the model is weak for folivorous primates. From September 2016 to August 2017, we collected comparative data on time budgets, daily path lengths and diets of four groups of white-headed langurs (Trachypithecus leucocephalus), including two large groups (G-DS and G-ZWY) and two small groups (G-LZ and G-NN) in Chongzuo White-Headed Langur National Nature Reserve, Guangxi Province, Southwest China. The aim was to obtain evidence of foraging competition and to test the ecological constraints model on this highly folivorous primate in its karst habitat. The results showed that langurs in the larger groups spent more time traveling, less time resting, and had a longer average daily path length than those in the small groups. Diet composition and dietary diversity were not significantly different between the large and small groups. Our study demonstrates that langurs from large groups suffer scramble competition in limestone forests and supports the validity of the ecological constraints model for folivores.

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Karst Habitat Fragmentation and the Conservation of the White-Headed Langur (Trachypithecus leucocephalus) in China

Abstract: BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Cited by 19 publications

References 9 publications

Low Genetic Diversity and Strong Geographical Structure of the Critically Endangered White-Headed Langur (Trachypithecus leucocephalus) Inferred from Mitochondrial DNA Control Region Sequences

Low Genetic Diversity and Strong Geographical Structure of the Critically Endangered White-Headed Langur (Trachypithecus leucocephalus) Inferred from Mitochondrial DNA Control Region Sequences

Habitat use by western purple-faced langurs Trachypithecus vetulus nestor (Colobinae) in a fragmented suburban landscape

Effect of Group Size on Time Budgets and Ranging Behavior of White-Headed Langurs in Limestone Forest, Southwest China

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