Ranging patterns of the rainforest-adapted lion-tailed macaque Macaca silenus in a human-dominated landscape in the Anamalai hills of the Western Ghats, India

Abstract

The ranging patterns of five lion-tailed macaque Macaca silenus troops, forming the Puthuthottam sub-population, were studied over a three year period to determine road/habitation visitation rate, home ranges and habitat preference. Each troop visited the road or human habitation at varying rates, with the largest troop visiting most frequently. Home ranges sizes were observed to be highly reduced when compared to wild populations, and also greatly varied across troops, with relatively low overlap given the macaque density in the available area. All five macaque troops showed a preference for human-modified habitats such as roads and human settlements where anthropogenic food was easily available. Our study shows an increasing dependence amongst members of the Puthuthottam troops on anthropogenic foods, which has led to many threats faced by individuals including fatal collisions with vehicular traffic and electrocutions.