Sleeping site and tree selection by Sichuan snub‐nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in Baihe Nature Reserve, Sichuan, China

Abstract

Sleeping site and tree selection by Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in Baihe Nature Reserve, For non-human primates to optimize their survival chances, sleeping site selection is crucial as they spend much of their time sleeping. We studied sleeping site and tree selection by a group of wild Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in the temperate forests of Baihe Nature Reserve, Sichuan, China, to assess if certain site and tree characteristics were selected. We identified a total of 39 sleeping sites and 111 sleeping trees over a period of 1 year. We compared nine sleeping site and six sleeping tree variables related to the environment, habitat, and vegetation structure.We found that certain characteristics of sleeping sites and sleeping trees predicted their selection by R. roxellana. On a larger spatial scale, sleeping sites were selected based mainly on four factors: canopy height, slope direction, slope gradient, and vegetation type. They also selected sites with trees that were taller and larger, had larger crown diameters and higher bole branches. On a smaller spatial scale, they selected larger trees with larger crown diameters. The selection of these characteristics could be explained in terms of predator avoidance and thermoregulation efficiency, although it was difficult to delineate which was more important. This could be due to some characteristics of R. roxellana, that is, large groups living in temperate climates, which required a balanced strategy for sleeping site and tree selection in order to optimize their survival chances. K E Y W O R D Spredation avoidance, selective pressure, temperate forest, thermoregulation

The Influence of Environmental Variables on Home Range Size and Use in the Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve, China

“…A larger group needs to increase their foraging areas to obtain enough food for all group members [ 4 , 21 ]. Our results are consistent with those of other studies of the same species, with studies recording a large home range size that ranges from 18.3 km 2 to 51.42 km 2 [ 4 , 44 , 50 , 51 ]. The large home range size observed for the golden snub-nosed monkey is also consistent with those of other snub-nosed monkeys in China.…”

“…The home range size of the species also varies among groups in different locations [ 49 ]. A group of nearly 200 individuals in Baihe Nature Reserve had a home range of 51.42 km 2 [ 50 ]. A group estimated to be made up of 100–120 individuals in Qingmuchuan Nature Reserve occupies a home range of 20.35 km 2 [ 44 ].…”

Predator avoidance and food patch proximity influence sleeping site use of Assamese macaques in a limestone forest of Southwest Guangxi, China

“…For example, northern pig-tailed macaques (Macaca leonina) select sleeping sites in trees with higher canopies and more stems, which potentially reduce their detection by predators and make access for predators more difficult (Gazagne et al, 2020). Similarly, Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) select large and tall trees with large crowns and high bole branches as sleeping sites, likely as a predation risk reduction strategy (Chu, Sha, Kawazoe, & Dong, 2018). The arboreal genus Trachypithecus sleeps in stone caves or cliffs at night; caves not only aid in predator avoidance but also help to improve thermoregulation (Grueter & Ding, 2006;Huang, Wei, Li, Li, & Sun, 2003;Huang, 2002;Li et al, 2011;Zhou et al, 2009).…”

Epidemiological Survey and Risk Factor Analysis of 14 Potential Pathogens in Golden Snub-Nosed Monkeys at Shennongjia National Nature Reserve, China

“…Recently, there has been increasing focus on the population genetics [ 30 , 31 ], evolution [ 32 ] and behavior [ 33 , 34 ] of this species of monkeys. However, there are very few data describing the infection status of this species, likely due to difficulties sampling the endangered species.…”