Primate Diversity, Population Estimates, and Activity Pattern of the Bornean Banded Langur (Presbytis chrysomelas chrysomelas) in Tanjung Datu National Park

Nur Aizatul Izzati, Tukiman (2024) Primate Diversity, Population Estimates, and Activity Pattern of the Bornean Banded Langur (Presbytis chrysomelas chrysomelas) in Tanjung Datu National Park. Masters thesis, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.

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Abstract

Tanjung Datu National Park (TDNP) is one of smallest national park in Sarawak, and habitat to diverse primate species including the Critically Endangered Bornean banded langur, (Presbytis chrysomelas chrysomelas). A primate diversity study conducted two decades ago was confined to documentation of diurnal species, whereas ecology of the diurnal species, P. c. chrysomelas is poorly known. Thus, the objectives of this study were to determine the species diversity and distribution of primates in TDNP and activity pattern of P. c. chrysomelas respectively. Field sampling was conducted for six months between July 2023 until February 2024 throughout the dry and wet seasons. The scan sampling method within 10 minutes interval along four trails was employed to observe and record primate species and activity pattern of P. c. chrysomelas along four existing trails in TDNP. Total scan method was used to estimate the population size of P. c. chrysomelas in TDNP. There were eight primate species documented in TDNP, namely Macaca fascicularis, Macaca nemestrina, Trachypithecus cristatus, P. c. chrysomelas, Nasalis larvatus, Hylobates abbotti as well as two nocturnal species, Nycticebus menagensis and Cephalopachus bancanus. This study also found the coexistence of P. c. chrysomelas with other diurnal primate, as seen in the two nocturnal primates. Furthermore, a total of 21 individuals from three solitary males and four groups of P. c. chrysomelas were recorded in this study. Presbytis chrysomelas chrysomelas allotted most of their time in resting (35.38%) compared to feeding (32.31%), moving (16.15%), vocalizing (9.23%), playing (3.85%), and grooming (3.08%). Moreover, results from Mann-Whitney U test showed social activities (grooming and playing) was varied across the seasons (p<0.001). In contrast, seasonal variation did not influence (p>0.05) other primary activities (feeding, moving, and resting). The data from this study could contribute to primate studies in Sarawak particularly the rare species, P. c. chrysomelas, which is essential to developing a robust primate conservation plan in Sarawak.

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