MINI PROJECT ON FORAGING BEHAVIOR AND FEEDING

BEHAVIOUR OF DUSKY TOQUO MAQUO

ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR

ZL 3082

DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY

FACUALITY OF SCIENCE

EASTERN UNIVERSITY

SRI LANKA

S.M.D.P.GUNARATHNA
EU/IS/2016/BS/070

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 TABLE OF CONTENT
List of Figures
List of Table
List of Abbreviation
Acknowledgement
Abstract
1. Introduction ………………………………………………………………….VIII - XIV
1.1 Background Study Of Information Of The Study Animal
1.2 Nature Of General Behavioral Pattern Of Specific Behavior
1.3 Significant Of The Mini Project
1.4 The Rational Of Study
1.5 The Objective Of The Mini Project
1.6 Hypothesizes
1.7 Objectives
2. Material And Method XXIV -XXV
2.1 Study Site
2.2 Method
2.3 Data Analysis
3. Result XXV
4. Discussion XXV -XXVII
5. Conclusion And Recommendation XXVIII
6. References XXIX
7. Appendix XXX-XXXV

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 List of figures
Fig 1 .sri lankan distribution of M. s. aurifrons, M. sinica sinica, M. s. opisthomelas.
Fig 2 activity budget of M. s. aurifrons
Fig 3: Land use and vegetation cover of rubber sate, and the location of the study site are shown in Sri
Lankan map
Fig 4: the standard curve of normality distribution
Fig 5; frequency distribution of foraging behavior for each month
Fig 6: frequency distribution of feeding behavior for each month
Fig 7: correlation between temperature and leaping behavior (foraging behavior)

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 List of tables
Table 1: list of common behaviors to macaques which can be used to describe their general activity.
Table 2: calculation of frequency and rate of each behavior
Table 3: the calculation of abundance of each behavior
Top recoded foraging behaviour for among each month

Table 4: temperature variation according with rate of leaping behavior.

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 List of abbreviation

MOE : M Ministry Of Environment

CEA : Central Environment Authority
CI : Confident Interval
MVB : Mean Value of Behavior
AM : Adult Male
AF : Adult Female
I : Infant

Un-CL : UN Classified

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First thank for my parents who encounted by all resources to me and special thank for Mrs.Lakshnai
who was given well guide to proceed this mini project. And Mrs.Devdasan who is lecture in charge
for ZL3082. And other persons who was given plenty of assistant to do this project in my maximum.

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 ABSTARCT

Foraging behavior explain move to looking for eating, drinking food, mate and habitat too.in the case
of foraging leaping,walking,hanging,climbing and stereotype . Some of behaviors are comes under
locomotion. (Carolyn Kemp) .also feeding behavior mean the strategic way to use to get their feed. in
here I was selected plucking, chewing and biting as feeding behaviors among plenty of feeding ways.
but specifically biting behavior comes under object manipulating.(CaralynKemp) collectively all
behaviors rely on seasonality , climatic variable ,food resource distribution etc. this study is focused
on feeding and foraging pattern of Macaca sinica aurifrons, under following aspects: to evaluate
common /preferable foraging behaviour,to evaluate common feeding behavior/strategy , the frequency
and rate of common feeding behavior and foraging behavior also to determine temperature
involvement to foraging pattern. The study was conducted from January 16 to April 2021 in our
rubber state, Hewainna, Avissawella. The selected are is 2km 2. The common foraging was eliminated
is leaping behavior and feeding behavior if plucking behavior. In February stereotype behavior is less
common than leaping behavior. Also leaping behavior is common than chewing behavior, along with
chewing behavior is more common than plucking behavior. Frequency and rate also synchronized on
this final results. Between the temperature and the high scored foraging behavior no / negligible
relationship (r = 0.12 p = 0.002) my Study suggested high ratings and frequencies are recorded in
leaping behavior also plucking behavior. That macaques are highly adaptive mammals in reference to
changing habitat quality and temperature, proving their ability to behavioral plasticity. Hence, they
are useful as indicator organisms to assess environmental changes like raining, Habitat quality (food
items), seasonality and temperature.

KEY WORDS: Maraca sinica auriferous, frequency, rate, temperature,

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 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 background information of the Maraca silica auriferous

There are three main distinguish lineages of extant macaques, corresponding to three
dispersal waves in Asia; sinica lineage, soleus lineage and fascicular is lineage (Thierry,
2007). Among these lineages, the sinica lineage has a moderately fragmented distribution
in southern Asia and is thought to be the second lineage to have dispersed (Thierry,
2007). Five of its species: Maraca radiate, M. assamensis, M. munzala, M. thibatana, and
M. acroides are found in tropical and subtropical continental areas, while the sixth
species, M. sinica (toque macaque) is confined to Sri Lanka. M. sinica can be
differentiated into three sub-species depending on its crown pattern variation (Fooden,
1979). One subspecies is found in each main climatic zone of Sri Lanka, while
intermediate forms are sometimes found in contact zone (Phillips, 1980). Therefore, M.
sinica sinica is found in low country dry zone, M. s. aurifrons is found in wet zone and
M. s. opisthomelas is found in upcountry or hill zone of Sri Lanka. However, M. sinica is
considered as an Endangered primate under Global conservation status (GCS) also least
concern primate under National level (MOE, 2012). this study is focused on common
feeding and foraging behaviors of M. s. auriferous, with the help of f their frequency, and
rate.

 Polonnaruwa
 Hambanthota
 Rathnapura
 Kandy
 Betticaloa
 Mathale
 Kegalle
 Trincalmale

Fig 1 .sir Lankan distribution of M. s. auriferous, M. sinica silnica, M. s. opisthomelas.

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Physical characteristics of the Toque Macaque vary depending on their habitat. They have a golden
brown coat on their top (dorsal) surface and white hair on their underside (ventral surface). This white
coat extends to the cheeks and around the ears. They have a long tail that is blackish brown dorsally
and pale white ventrally. Toque Macaques have muscular cheek pouches that are used for storage
during foraging. These pockets are lined with mucous and the muscles serve to push the food back
into their mouth. Their faces are hairless, ears and lips are black; the males have a tan face, while
females have different shades of pink. Males are larger than females and complete their development
later.
(Dry Zone subspecies) – The radiating hairs on the cap are short and entirely golden brown in this
subspecies. The dorsal area and outer limbs are chestnut in color overall.
(Wet zone subspecies) – The radiating hairs on the cap is longer and untidy; the anterior part
yellowish, contrasting with a darker, browner posterior part. General coloration of dorsal area and
outer limbs are dusky yellowish.
(Montage subspecies) – The radiating hair of the cap are long (around 110 mm) and straw colored.
The general color of the dorsal area and outer limbs is greyish-olive.
Average body length is 35-53cm and tail length is around 40-60cm. An adult male Toque Macaque
weighs 4 - 5.5 kg on average, and females can weigh up to 2.5 - 4.5 kg.
They are diurnal terrestrial quadrupeds, and spend much of their time moving on the ground. They are
equally agile on the trees, where they sleep, sometimes huddled together. The toque macaques can
also swim proficiently, and may even hide underwater when escaping predators.
Toque Macaques are omnivorous and like to eat fruit, seeds, nuts, mushrooms and occasionally
reptiles and birds.
They use both hands to stuff food into cheek pouches and will store food there to be chewed later.
The major threat to these species is extreme habitat loss and habitat fragmentation due to development
and urbanization.
This decreasing species is currently on the IUCN Red List and is protected internationally under
CITES Appendix II. However, enjoys very little protection as it is considered to be a pest to crops
such as coconut etc. They are not protected by local laws and happen to be the only endemic species
to not be so.

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 1.2 nature of toque masque’s behavioral pattern and specific behavior

Toque macaques are mainly arboreal, spending much of their time in trees. In trees they use a
quadripedal style of locomotion. When walking on the ground, they walk on their digits. Bipedal
walking occurs on the ground when the hands are full. They are social, forming groups of up to forty
members. These groups are long-standing, but emigration between groups occurs in males during the
late juvenile stage. In groups there is a 2 to 1 ratio of females to males. Toque macaques are very
active and forage for food for a large part of every day. Males and females play different roles in
groups. Males lead the group and settle fights between younger members. They play no role in the
raising of young. Females are the primary care providers for young and a female's position in the
dominance hierarchy may influence that of her young. The age distribution is even, with half of group
members being adults and half infants or juveniles. There is a clear dominance hierarchy in groups,
with the oldest male being most dominant. Following the oldest males are sub adult males, adult
females, and finally juveniles. (Dittos and Ratnayeke, 1989; Foo den, 1979 )
A healthy captive environment allows macaques to spend their time engaged in a wide range of
‘natural’ behaviors. The activity budgets of wild macaque’s vary, but in all studies the macaques
spend the majority of their time foraging, resting, all grooming and moving around their environment.
In captivity, not like. That make depressed, frustrated, aggressive and/or stressed. While daily patterns
vary, wild macaques forage and travel most intensively in the morning and rest and all groom
throughout the afternoon. (Prescott, Bethel .E .2015)

Fig 2 activity budget of M. s. auriferous (Ajman & Huffman 2013 , Zhou et al. 2013)

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Behavior Definition Code

Stationary/resting Focus animal is not asleep but not engaging in other R

Behaviors
Sleeping Focus animal has eyes closed and appears to be asleep S
Locomotion Focus animal is walking, running, jumping etc.
L
Aggressive (general) other aggressive behaviors which are not listed AG
Individually – can include: biting, hitting, grabbing.
Submissive (general) other submissive behaviors which are not listed SM
Individually – can include: fear grin, lip smack with fear
Grin, avoiding a dominant animal, rump present etc.

Affiliate (general) other affiliate behaviors which are not listed AF

Individually – can include: hugging, sleeping together.
Grooming Focus animal is grooming another GG
Groomed Focus animal is being groomed GD
Interaction with baby Focus animal, which may be the mother or another B
Individual, inspecting, playing with, grooming, nursing,
Hugging etc. an infant

Self-directed Includes behaviors such as self-grooming, inspecting SD

Wounds, playing with self, self-hugging etc.
Lip smack Rapid lip movements, with or without tongue, directed LS
Towards a conspecific or a person.
Object manipulation touching, playing with, moving, licking, biting etc. an O
Object, such as enrichment or enclosure fixings
Threat Open mouth T
Displace Focus animal moves to where another is sitting who then DC
Moves away
Displaced Focus animal moves away when another comes over to DD
Their location

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Flee Focus animal is moving quickly away from another, FL
Usually in response to a threat or other aggressive
Behavior

Foraging Looking for food, eating, drinking F

Vigilance Focus animal is looking up, down, to the side, with or V
Without head movement
Sexual behavior Elicitation, mounting, mating etc. X
Yawn With or without exposed teeth or maintained eye contact Y
Stereotypic behavior Pacing, rocking, pulling out hair, head tossing, saluting, Z
Eye rubbing etc.
Out of sight Focus animal cannot be seen OS

Table 1: list of common behaviors to macaques which can be used to describe their general activity.

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 1.3 significance of the mini project
After the studied get to knowledge of frequency and rate of the foraging behaviors,
feedings behaviors during in a day. Also how the seasonality, climatic changes and
resource of food involves to their day to day behaviors.

1.4 the rational of the study

I was selected the toque masque (M.S.Auriferon) for the species to my project. Among
much of species caused to selected that species
 The species I love very much and like to study their behaviors.
 I have some curiosity why their behavior
 Easy to observe and handling
 Easy to enter in the study site
 Having numerous of action
 Active behavior life style
 Not boring to study
Also I was selected foraging and feeding behaviors, usually they come to our state for their
feeding.so while I can observe their feeding behaviors, easy to distinguish foraging behavior too.
Among vast of foraging behaviors .they usually shows behaviors I was selected rather other lomotary
behaviors.

 Easy to getting records

 Easy to observe
 Not boring to take records
 Frequently they shows selected action
Are lead to select this behaviors to carrying out my project up to end point.

1.5 objectives of the mini project

The toque maquoes are conservative species also endemic species to the sir lanka.
In here I was focused to full fill several kind of objections ultimately in the project. Those
are following
 To study the foraging and feeding behaviors.
 To determine most common foraging behavior.
 To determine most common feeding behavior.
 To determine frequency and rate of each foraging and feeding behaviors.
 The relationship between foraging and feeding behaviors
 To determine the climatic change toward foraging behavior
 To determine how temperature evolve to daily to their selected behavior

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 1.6 Hypothesis
Mainly I was take out this hypothesis to continuation of my project also take some
statistically proven data to ensure my final objection. So initially I was hypothesized and
that made up me to reach my objectives correctly.
 High frequency and rate recorded foraging behavior is leaping behavior.
 High frequency and rate recorded feeding behavior is plucking behavior.
 In February month stereotype behavior was highly recorded than leaping
behavior.
 The leaping behavior is highly recorded rather than chewing behavior.
 The chewing behavior is familiar than plucking behavior.
 Out of four months leaping behavior was highly abundant.
 Out of four month chewing behavior is highly abundant.
 Among highly abundant foraging and feeding behaviors, foraging behavior is
highest also familiar. (Leaping behavior > chewing behavior) .
 Possible to have relationship between temperature and highly abundant foraging
behavior (leaping behavior)
Special note: here I was selected highly recorded behavior only out of whole feeding and foraging
behavior

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 2. Material and method
2.1 study site
The study was conducted at our rubber state Hewainna, Avissawella (6o 53´45.1˝ N 80o
36´08.11’52.8 “E). That experiences 30- 32 o C mean annual temperature which
distributed throughout the year and influenced by both southwest and northwest
monsoons (Kariyawasam, 1998; Ratnayake, 2001). Land use and vegetation cover within
the study area is shown in Figure 1. Study was focused on M. s. auriferous. Single troop
was observed as the study troop due to the lack of migration of selected species . which
contained 12 – 25 individuals throughout the study period. Facial marking patterns and,
fur color and tail variations were used to identify individuals in the study troop. Also I
was make friendship with them, due to their ultimate goal is feeding.

Fig 3: Land use and vegetation cover of rubber sate, and the location of the study site are shown in Sri
Lankan map

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 2.2 method
Weather data
Temperature and rainfall data was collection mainly by using daily weather report
released by weather department. But I was focused on temperature. For January to April
2021 was obtained from land area located at the Hewainna, Avissawella.

Data collection
Foraging and feedings behavior was recorded from January to April 2021. For the month
of January 16 dates were included, February 28 days, March 30 days and April 30 days
included for data collection. I was collected my data according to FREQUENCY /
EVENT & RATE RECORDING method for each day morning three hours and
evening two hours as I selected for an hour, three minutes interval and five minutes to
take records . Here I was carried out ethogram for data collection that was easy to me to
collected data & final calculation. With the help of stop watch and software to record
temperature variation and composite. I was collected my data under selected time
duration.
Data analysis
According to the above mentioned method I was collected data to prove my hypothesis
,and to determine whether the hypothesized were applicable. Feeding and foraging
behavior’s data were treated with parametric tests , probability test was proved that. I
supposed the population is equally distributed and randomly sampled also when I was
plotted histogram that fairly liked to bell shape that justify the sample was normally
distributed by Kolmogorov–Smirnov test . I was carried out two tail t -test to recognize
my hypothesis at 5% confident level, so the determination of two population at
once.Pearson correlation coefficient (r) tests were carried out to assess the relationship
between temperature and rate of foraging behavior in April month I was omitted 3 days
due to heavy rains.
Special Considerations:
A frequency measure should be used only when the length of observation time is 5 hours
per day.
A rate measure should be used if the length of observation time varies from month to
month (January – 3600 min, February – 5600 min, March – 6000min, April – 5400min).

Firstly I was taken average daily, no of behaviors for each behavior monthly. Then I was calculated
total no of behaviors separately for each behavior.
no of items
frequency=
no of hours
no of items
rate=
mintues

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Leaping January 119 1.48 0.0330

February 186 1.328 0.0332

march 1264 8.426 0.2106

April 276 1.84 0.051

Total : 1845

Walking January 90 1.125 0.025

February 128 0.914 0.022

March 118 0.786 0.0196

April 145 0.966 0.0268

Total : 481

Hanging January 56 0.73 0.0155

February 223 1.592 0.039

March 70 0.466 0.0116

April 96 0.64 0.0177

Total : 289

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Serotype January 116 1.45 0.0322

February 155 1.107 0.027

march 194 1.293 0.0323

April 217 1.446 0.0401

Total : 682

Climbing January 94 1.175 0.026

February 110 0.785 0.0196

march 135 0.9 0.0225

April 119 0.793 0.0220

Total : 499

Plucking January 151 1.8875 0.0419

February 304 2.171 0.054

March 313 2.08 0.0521

April 273 1.82 0.0505

Total : 1041

Chewing January 165 2.0625 0.0458

February 314 2.242 0.0560

March 282 1.88 0.047

April 257 1.713 0.047

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 Total : 1081

Biting January 166 2.075 0.0461

February 299 2.135 0.0533

March 241 1.606 0.0401

April 232 1.546 0.0429

Total : 938

Table 2: calculation of frequency and rate of each behavior

Highly recorded frequency and rate of foraging behaviour

Highly recorded frequency and rate of feeding behavior
To determine abundance of common behavior
no of each behaviour
precentage= ∗100
total no of behaviour
Special note: to determine abundance for each behavior, I was chosen no of each behavior out of total
no of foraging behaviors separately total no of feeding behavior.
For determine highly common behavior out of all behaviors I was chosen total no of behaviors
together as total no of foraging behavior and total of feeding behavior.

behavior leaping Walking Hanging Stereotyp Climbing Plucking Chewing Biting

e
Month
January 3.13% 2.52% 1.47% 3.5% 2.47% 5.0% 5.50% 5.53%

February 4.899% 3.37% 1.76% 4.08% 2.895 10.14% 10.47% 9.97%

March 68.47% 3.10% 1.84% 5.11% 3.55% 10.44% 9.409% 8.04%

April 4.06% 3.81% 2.52% 5.71% 4.2% 9.10^% 8.575% 7.74%

Table 3: the calculation of abundance of each behavior

Top recoded foraging behaviour for among each month
Top recorded feeding behaviour for each month

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Total no of feeding behaviors = 3796
Total no of foraging behavior = 2997
Total no of leaping behavior = 1845
Total no of chewing behavior = 1081

Special note: above counts are belongs to above calculation need to recommend t-test
In February month stereotype behavior was highly recorded than leaping behavior.
Population 1: population that showed abundant stereotype behavior
Population 2: population that did not show abundant of stereotype behavior (high in leaping behavior)
Research hypothesis H0: stereotype behavior is abundant than leaping behavior.
Null hypothesis Ha : stereotype behavior is less common than leaping behavior.
P< 0.05 – the null hypothesis is rejected
p>0.05 - the null hypothesis is accepted
Here I was assigned two population .so that two tail hypothesis test is recommended.

μ1=mean1 for population 1

μ2=mean2 for population 2

H 0=μ 1−¿ μ 2=0 ¿

π 1=π 2

μ1−π 2 >0

μ1 > π 2
For t –test

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Special note: in this formula need to add ( π ¿ ¿ 1−π 2 )¿.but null hypothesis assumed there is no
difference in the population .so that¿ ¿) = 0
By substituting to above formula
μ1=6.32

μ2=5.53

s1=standard deviation1 for population 1 – 1.80

s2=standard deviation 2 for population 2 – 1.83

6.32−5.53
t=
(1.80)2 (1.83 ) 2
+
6 6
t = 0.663
By using standard normality distribution curve

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 0.663

Fig 4: the standard curve of normality distribution

Note: due to the two population involvement need to take two tail hypothesis.
By using above curve and t – table and according to 0.05 confident level
One tail – 0.50 <p <0.025
Two tail – 1.0 <p <0.05
Here the p value > 0.05
If the p value is greater than confident level the null hypothesis is accepted .it means the stereotype is
less common than leaping behavior.

Among highly abundant foraging and feeding behaviors, foraging behavior is highest also familiar.
(Leaping behavior > chewing behavior.

Population 1: population that showed abundant chewing behavior

Population 2: population that did not show abundant of leaping behavior
Research hypothesis H0: leaping behavior is abundant than chewing behavior.
Null hypothesis Ha: leaping behavior is less common than chewing behavior.
P< 0.05 – the null hypothesis is rejected
p>0.05 - the null hypothesis is accepted
Here I was assigned two population .so that

μ1=mean1 for population 1

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 μ2=mean2 for population 2

H 0=μ 1−¿ μ 2=0 ¿

π 1=π 2

μ1−π 2 >0

μ1 > π 2
For t –test
By substituting to above formula
μ1=11.24

μ2=8.38

s1=standard deviation1 for population 1 – 1.812

s2=standard deviation 2 for population 2 – 1.267

11.214 −8.38
t=
(1.812)2 ( 1.267 ) 2
+
6 6
t = 3.483
By using standard normality distribution curve and t – table, according to 0.05 confident level
One tail – 0.025 <p <0.01
Two tail – 0.05 <p < 0.02
Here the p value < 0.05
If the p value is lower than confident level the null hypothesis is rejected .there if significant
difference between two variable .it means the leaping behavior if more common than chewing
behavior.
Chewing behavior is familiar than plucking behavior
population1 - population that high familiar with chewing behavior.
population2 - population that less familiar with chewing behavior.
Research hypothesis /alternative hypothesis (Ha) – chewing behavior is high common
Null hypothesis (H0) - chewing behavior is not common in selected sample of troop.
Here M= 10.857
SD = 1.580

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According to the 0.05 confident level, 0.025 for each tail in the standard normality distribution curve.
The cut of values are+1.96 and – 1.96
The score = 2.242
x−μ
z=
σ
z=0.004
Z value > cut of value of the normality distribution curve: null hypothesis is accepted.
Z value < cut of value of the normality distribution curve: null hypothesis is rejected.
0.004<+1.96, due to the null hypothesis is rejected, there is significant difference between two
variable. So that the chewing behavior is familiar than plucking behavior.

Possible to have relationship between temperature and highly abundant foraging behavior (leaping
behavior)
By using person’s correlation coefficient the hypothesis was assigned.

Average temperature (each month )(x) Rate of leaping behavior (y)

30.9 0.0330
31.2 0.0332
32.6 0.2106
32.5 0.0511
Table 4: temperature variation according with rate of leaping behavior.
By using Pearson’s coefficient formula

By substituting my data to above formula I was got

r = 0.0207.

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So that r is between +0.01 - +1.9 suggested relationship is negligible or no longer relationship
between two suggested areas.

3 Result
By using different kind theory and method I was collected final result.
o In the case of leaping behavior it was abundant in March (68.47%).
o In the case of walking behavior highly abundant in April (3.81%)
o In the case of hanging behavior highly abundant in April (2.52 %)
o In the case of stereotype behavior highly abundant in April (5.71%)
o In the case of climbing behavior highly abundant in April (4.2%)
o Among feeding behavior
o In the case of plucking behavior highly abundant in March (10.44%)
o In the case of chewing behavior highly abundant in February (10.47%)
o In the case of biting behavior highly abundant in February (9.97%)
o Among five of foraging behavior abundant is leaping behavior (48.60%)
o Among five of feeding behavior abundant is chewing behavior (36.06%)
o Between two abundant behaviors leaping behavior is abundant than chewing
behaviour.27.16%>15.16%
o When we consider the rate of all foraging and feeding behaviors leaping and chewing
behavior is highly rated.
o If the p value is greater than confident level the null hypothesis is accepted .it means
the stereotype is less common than leaping behavior.
o If the p value is lower than confident level the null hypothesis is rejected .there if
significant difference between two variable .it means the leaping behavior if
more common than chewing behavior.
 0.004<+1.96, due to the null hypothesis is rejected, there is significant difference between
two variable. So that the chewing behavior is familiar than plucking behavior.
 So that r is between +0.01 - +1.9 suggested relationship is negligible or no longer relationship
between two suggested areas. (r = 0.0207.)

4. Discussion
For my study I was selected rubber state that is near to my home .that is abundant with
Heave brasiliensis, Swietenia macrophylla, Gliricidia sepium, Alstonia macrophylla,
Alstonia macrophylla, Cocos nucifera , Areca catechu etc. Those are benefited to M.s .auriferous.
Through this project I was suggested among plenty of foraging behaviors leaping behavior is more
common. Due to their morphology they are highly adapted to leaping behavior and that is compensate
irrelevant energy consumption for walking or running. usually they are short distance locomotors
according to other findings. . Also among selected feeding behaviors chewing behavior is highly
abundant rather than other feeding behaviours.toquo maquoes usually having diverse of feeding

xxv
tactics .but I was concluded chewing behavior is common chewing behavior due to abundant of
vegetation which they were highly preferable. Also due to the seasonality what the common
behaviour is fluctuated during selected time frame. Here I was omitted 3 days of April due to heavy
raining. When I was calculated I did not add deviation or stranded error of time, temperature and
calculated central tendency. Also I had assistant with weather focast of during time period.at most of
the time I was taken highly abundant foraging and feeding behaviour.in February leaping behavior is
high common than stereotype behavior (p>0.05), also leaping behavior is highly frequent behavior
than chewing feeding behavior (p<0.05), among feeding behaviors chewing behavior is high common
than plucking behavior (z value 0.04<+1.96).having significance difference between two variables.
Also concluded temperature is no correlation or negligible correlation between temperature and rate
of leaping behavior. I also recorded frequency and rate of each behavior month wisely .that also given
same result to me.

Fig 5; frequency distribution of foraging behavior for each month

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 Fig 6: frequency distribution of feeding behavior for each month
Habitat quality was one of the major factors for each behavior. Habitat qualities were found to be
including: canopy coverage, number of trees present, types of tress (abundant with plenty of food
items like flora,flowers,buds ,nuts etc.) distribution of trees within the site, easy access to nearby food
sources and free from potential predators. Canopy cover also has advantages of reduce the effect from
predators. Branching pattern or number of branches in the resting site,no of food items, decided the
surface area to be rested. Higher the numbers of tree branches, possible resting substrates were found
to be increased. Here from January to march didn’t score of high feeding behaviors due to lack of
food items. Usually they eat mature leaves ,immature leaves,nuts ,seeds of Heave brasiliensis, nuts
of cocous nusifera is one food items that time most of the follicles were fallen .there will be
involvement of seasonality .but after the fallen time there were refreshed tress with abundance of food
items. So that the toque maquoe were captured nemouresly. Also the disposal of food items from the
homes are increased at April month is significant for this high recordings. With this When not
foraging on their natural forest foods, macaques may supply their diet by raiding crops, fruits, and
vegetables, breaking into houses in search of food, or going through garbage comprise to the Langurs
they are canopy dwellers that do not tend to make close contact with humans but can still be
considered a problem when they raid home gardens and damage roofs.
Reasons for these variations might be due to ecological differences including seasonal changes,
rainfall, food availability, food distribution and other intergroup interactions including competition,
age, predatory attack and troop size variations. Conspicuously during April month highly recorded all
of feeding behaviors and foraging behaviors due to well establish food resources .due to high of food
the competition was reduced could be seen some other synergetic behaviors also like grooming,
cuddling etc. but during January to mid of the April having seasonality change most of the trees fall
their leaves . no food so reduce feeding behaviors but having few of foraging behavior but that is
moderate recorded .the M.s.auriferons usually exhausted with foraging behaviour. So that at the
evening time lower of recording of foraging behaviour too, due to the loss of stored energy . also most
of the time they are resting for a whole day to compensate their energy.but end of the April could
observed some reduction due to heavy rain. Also the frequency of foraging behavior is high in
morning time than evening time. But at the evening feeding behavior is moderate rated than instantly
reduction. Morning time they actively foraged and collected food and keeps extra food in their
pouch .that is good energy compensate strategy. Actually they exhausted due to foraging and other
activities per day. Then need to store food for evening and night .so no need to foraging again evening
and night time. Also I was amazed very begins while their were small no of species after some time
the site was crowed with toque macaques. Here I was observed at one time no large no of species after
some time only there are considerable amount of individuals what we can see mean while some are in
vigilance phase also. I think the reason behind of this behaviors when one individuals are encounting
with food that produce acoustic signal to attract others also to the feeding site resulting increase in
group size. Suggest it reduce the cost for vigilance and increase foraging efficiency. Also it make
interacting and helping relatives and that benefited to potential genetics relation are mate. Also food
associated calls are documented underlying cognitive process have been explored in other findings.
Also other information too pass down through this calls example in the case of Macaca mulatta.also
that calling rate and instant incensement of population size was not depend on food preference but
investigated starvation level (Hauser & Marler 1993a, b). so that I suggest chewing rate also high and
common due to easiness of engulfing and digestion rather than biting.

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Fig 7: correlation between temperature and leaping behavior (foraging behavior)

Also having few of researches in behavioral pattern by some other findings too. Like example diverse
of Behavioral Responses depicts due to Toque Macaque’s Inhabiting Landscapes with Different
Levels of Human Interferences, adaptability to the environment etc. The results indicate that stress
imposed by human interventions make the individuals spending more time on locomotion and
vigilance behaviors, and less time on comfort behavior. Findings suggest that the wellbeing of Toque
macaques is affected by the environment and the level of human.

Extreme habitat loss and habitat fragmentation have taken abundant threat to this species. More than
half of these monkeys’ environment has been razed and converted for agricultural use, tea plantations,
logging, and firewood. This devastation of habitat has forced toque macaques to venture close to
human settlements, where they sift through garbage piles and spent campfires looking for food.

The illegal pet trade has taken a heavy toll on toque macaques, particularly the dry-zone and wet-zone
subspecies. Countless others have been shot to death—used for target practice—by the Sri Lanka
Army and by a militant organization.
An international agreement between governments whose goal is to ensure that international trade in
specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

xxviii
As often the case with endangered species, however, laws created to protect them are largely ignored
and difficult to enforce. Furthermore, out of all the wild animal species native to Sri Lanka, toque
macaques are the only animals not afforded any protections under local law. No doubt, their
reputation as crop pests has been a detriment to their protection status.

Conservation International is one environmental group working to improve local sentiment toward
these stigmatized monkeys. The organization’s approach includes creating community education
programs .that foster an appreciation of each of the three subspecies and the importance of saving
them from extinction. creating new economic opportunities for people living near protected areas, At
present, dry-zone and wet-zone toque macaque populations occur in numerous protected areas
(Reserves and national parks). No populations of highland toque macaques are found in such areas,
however.excecuting awareness Programme also current need to protect.

4. Conclusion and recommendation

Study suggests that behaviors of Macaca sinica auriferous depends on habitat quality and
less of temperature variation. Temperature significantly effects on foraging behavior rates. As
a result, the behavior pattern depend on mainly abundance of food resource and other aspects.
A distinct relationship was found when analyzing the environmental variables on foraging
behavior. Increasing temperature caused to reduce the foraging and feedings behaviors. But
in the morning they are highly active .due to that having high rates and frequency of foraging
and less of feedings behaviors. Then they forage and store food for evening and night even
after day also .that is some kind of plasticity of toque macaque. Also due the reduction of rate
and frequency belongs to each feeding and foraging behaviours for January to begins of
march due to seasonality changes . also april month evening time there were no high number
of behaviour recorded due to the rainy weather. Hence, they are useful as an indicator
organisms to assess environmental changes. These quantitative and qualitative findings are
valuable for conservational purposes also determine weather changes and seasonality
changes too.

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5. Reference

Ministry of Environment. (2012). the National Red List of Sri Lanka; Conservation Status of
the Fauna and Flora. Ministry of Environment, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

O'Brien, T., and M. Kinnaird (1997). Behavior, diet and movement of the Sulawesi crested
black macaque (Maraca Ingra). International Journal of Primatology.

Foo den, J. (1979). Taxonomy and evolution of the silica group of macaques: Species and
subspecies accounts of Maraca silica. Primates.

Dittos, W.J. (1974). The ecology and behavior of the Toque monkey, Maraca silica. Ph.D.
Thesis. University of Maryland.

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List of appendix

Color plate 1

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Color plate 2

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 Ethogram

Animal: Macca sinica auriferous

Date start: 16/1/2021
Time start : 8.00 am
Note : Here I was taken data for 5 hours per day .but for the easiness I was taken average for
each day for whole 5 hours .

Activity 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

leaping 10 11 10 8 9 7 7 8 7 7 7 5 5 5 6 4

walking 6 5 4 6 6 6 6 6 7 4 5 6 7 5 8 4

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hanging 4 2 3 2 3 3 2 3 1 3 3 3 5 5 5 5

stereotype 9 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 9 8 10 4 7 4 6 5

climbing 11 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 9 6 6 5 3

plucking 12 13 13 11 12 10 10 10 14 8 6 6 6 7 6 4

chewing 8 8 8 9 8 11 9 8 10 12 13 14 15 14 14 15

Biting 9 8 11 10 9 9 8 6 8 11 11 11 13 14 13 13

Date start : 1/2/2021

Time start : 8.00 am

Activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
leaping 6 6 5 5 4 6 6 7 8 7 8 8 8 9 10 10 8 9
walking 6 8 6 4 7 4 7 8 2 3 4 5 5 5 3 4 5 5
Hanging 5 3 4 4 4 5 4 3 2 2 1 2 2 2 5 1 3 1
Stereotyp 10 6 5 7 9 7 9 7 8 7 5 5 5 7 7 8 7 6
e
climbing 5 5 3 4 4 4 4 5 4 2 4 4 4 6 6 4 3 3
plucking 6 9 11 11 9 1 10 9 10 10 12 11 10 11 10 10 10 12
1
chewing 14 14 10 12 1 1 14 1 15 13 9 8 10 13 12 11 14 15
0 0 5
biting 12 11 12 14 1 1 14 1 12 13 8 12 7 11 10 10 12 12
3 4 3

activity 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
leaping 6 10 10 10 11 10 10 10 10 11
Walking 7 6 4 5 3 3 4 2 4 3
Hanging 1 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2
stereotyp 4 7 5 6 10 6 5 3 5 4
e
Climbing 3 3 6 6 5 6 7 4 10 4
Plucking 10 12 9 9 10 10 9 9 7 7
Chewing 8 9 10 8 8 8 9 9 9 8
biting 5 4 8 8 8 8 8 9 8 8

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 Date : 1/3/2021
Time : 8.00 am

activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Leaping 9 8 9 8 8 7 8 7 8 7 8 8 8 9 10

Walking 5 4 4 4 5 3 4 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 3

Hanging 3 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 5 1

Stereotype 8 7 6 7 8 8 7 6 8 7 5 5 5 7 7

Climbing 3 3 4 3 4 4 5 6 4 2 4 4 4 6 6

Plucking 12 14 13 14 14 13 12 13 10 10 11 10 9 10 12

chewing 10 11 10 12 11 10 14 10 10 8 8 8 8 10 8

biting 9 9 9 10 9 9 10 9 9 9 9 8 7 6 7

activity 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Leaping 10 8 9 6 10 10 10 11 10 10 10 10 11 10 8

Walking 4 5 5 6 6 4 5 3 3 4 2 4 3 2 3

Hanging 3 1 1 1 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 3 2

Stereotyp 8 7 6 4 7 5 5 10 6 5 3 5 4 4 6
e
Climbing 4 3 3 3 3 6 6 5 7 7 4 4 4 4 5

Plucking 10 11 11 10 12 9 9 9 10 9 9 7 7 8 8

Chewing 8 9 9 7 9 10 8 8 8 9 9 9 7 9 8

biting 6 4 4 5 4 8 7 9 8 8 8 7 8 8 8

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 Date : 1/4/2021
Time start : 8.00 am

activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Leaping 10 11 11 10 11 9 9 9 11 9 7 9 10 9 10

Walking 4 2 6 4 5 5 6 5 5 5 4 5 5 5 4

Hanging 3 2 2 2 4 5 5 4 2 3 3 3 2 2 1

Stereotyp 4 4 5 3 6 5 9 8 9 10 9 11 10 6 8
e
Climbing 5 5 10 9 9 9 9 8 7 8 7 8 8 8 9

Plucking 8 6 7 9 11 10 10 12 14 14 14 12 10 12 10

Chewing 8 10 9 8 8 8 7 10 10 10 10 7 10 9 8

biting 7 7 6 8 8 6 8 9 6 6 9 7 9 5 5

Activity 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Leaping 11 11 10 11 9 9 9 9 10 9 10 11
Walking 4 2 6 4 5 5 6 4 5 5 5 4
Hanging 3 2 2 2 4 5 6 3 3 2 2 3
Stereotyp 4 4 5 3 6 5 9 9 12 11 9 10
e
Climbing 5 5 10 8 9 9 9 6 8 8 8 10
Plucking 8 6 7 8 9 9 7 7 10 10 12 10
Chewing 9 10 9 8 9 9 7 10 8 10 9 8
biting 7 7 7 8 9 6 8 8 8 9 5 5

xxxvi