RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DIET OF MACACA-FASCICULARIS AND FOREST PHENOLOGY

The diet of a partly provisioned troop of long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) and the phenology of a 71-ha tropical rain forest reserve were studied over a 68-week period. Outside of a short period of flowering, followed 13 weeks later by a fruiting burst of similar duration, plant reproduction was limited. For both the total numbers of forest fruit species eaten and scan frequencies of feeding on fruit, there was a highly significant correlation with estimates of fruiting activity in the forest. Similar estimates for flowers were much more weakly associated. When fruit consumption peaked, insect foraging declined as did the acceptance of provisioned food. Most of the fruit species eaten were of an 'unprotected' fleshy type that is generally consumed by birds and bats. Dry fruits were underrepresented in the diet. The results suggest a preference for fleshy fruit and strong environmental control of the diet.