Distribution and Population Structure of the Juvenile of Diospyros Celebica Bakh. Under the Canopy of Their Mother-tree

The distribution pattern and population structure of Diospyros celebica under the conopy of their mother-tree stand were studied in the experimental forest of Hasanuddin University at Maros District. One hectar rectangular plot was established in the secondary natural forest dominated by D. celebica. All individuals of D. celebica found in the plot were recorded their diameter at hight 130 cm above ground level. Individual less than 130 cm in hight were categorized as seedling and measured their total hight from ground level. Analyzes using Morisita's Distribution Index (Iδ) resulted in the distribution pattern of D. celebica was clumped for all life-stages (seedling, sapling, pole and tree). Distribution pattern of seedling was found to be not significanly correlated to the slope, but was positively and significantly correlated with the level of canopy cover of their mother-tree stand. Abundance of seedlings were found under the canopy of the mother trees. However, as the individuals grow taller the correlation became weaker, until then the correlation became negative at the tree stage. This study also indicated that for all life-stages, more individual of D. celebica were found on the habitat with steeper slopes, but the correlation was not significant. The abundant number of seedling indicates that this species has a good ability in the natural regeneration process

Activity budget, home range, and habitat use of moor macaques (Macaca maura) in the karst forest of South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Primate behavior can be responsive to the different ecological pressures associated with different habitats, as well as to the effects of direct and indirect anthropogenic disturbance. The karst forest ecosystem of South Sulawesi (Indonesia) represents one of the few intact forests available for residual populations of the moor macaque, but our understanding of its habitat use is limited. In the present study, this gap in knowledge was addressed by observing the activity and habitat use of two groups of moor macaques and by assessing the suitability of different habitats in the karst forest. Through a fine-scale vegetation analysis of 1 ha of forest in Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park, we identified the presence of two distinct habitats that differ in terms of forest structure and composition. The karst plain forest (KPF) provided a greater abundance and diversity of food resources than the karst tower forest (KTF). In addition, anthropogenic disturbance was high in the KPF but low in the KTF. Behavioral data collected via group scans indicate that the macaques devoted more time to feeding activities when in the KPF, suggesting an ability to adjust their feeding behavior to meet their nutritional needs. However, the larger of the two groups used the food-rich KPF more than expected, implying that the KTF may represent a valuable refuge for the smaller group, as it is a less risky portion of its home range. The results of this study therefore provide novel information on the ecology of moor macaques and their habitats that can inform conservation planning for remnant populations

Habitat complexity and its use correlate with soil-transmitted Helmiantiasis in two social groups of Macaca maura (H.R. Schinz 1825), Endangered Primates Primates Endemic to Sulawesi Island, Indonesia.

Sulawesi endemic Macaca maura is included in the IUCN Red List as Endangered due to anthropogenic disturbance and fragmentation of its habitat. Residual populations have a scattered distribution in the karst forests of south Sulawesi. Here the dissolution of limestone layers has created a multi-level landscape hardly accessible for ground predators and humans. In this study, we aimed to obtain better knowledge on the ecological flexibility of M. maura in the use of such a complex habitat, and its consequences on health status. Since all data published on M. maura were obtained from a single group (group B), an additional group (G) was habituated to human presence. We analysed 50 vegetation plots (10 × 20 metres) to discriminate structural features in terms of feeding options (e.g. key food species diversity, density and DBH) and anthropogenic disturbance (e.g. human trails and solid litter). We then correlated these data with habitat use and helminth infection. We collected 74 faecal samples from 18 different adult individuals belonging to both groups. Vegetation analysis suggested that there were 2 suitable habitats: a Ground Forest (e.g. higher abundance of key food species) and a Karst Tower Forest (e.g. lower presence of human trails and solid litter). Gastrointestinal investigation revealed a positive correlation between the prevalence of Trichuris sp. and time devoted to ground food-related activities in all individuals (Spearman correlation, rs = 0.665, p = 0.003). Moreover, behavioural data confirmed that group B, the larger study group of the area, spent most of its activity time in the Ground Forest (N group B = 33 ± 1; N group G = 18 ± 1; χ 2 = 134.30, d.f. = 1, p < 0.001). Since resource availability and predation risk can influence foraging decisions and, ultimately, space use, the “group size effect” might explain the significantly higher proportion of time spent by group B in the Ground Forest. Consequently, due to the Trichuris faecal-oral contamination life-cycle, the chance of infecting individuals based on their feeding habits might be described according to the “soil-transmitted helminthiasis hypothesis”