Food preference of Rhesus monkey Macaca mulatta during the pre-monsoon and monsoon season at Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh

Abstract

Food preference of Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) in the wild was studied in semi-deciduous and tropical semi-evergreen forest of Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary in East Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh, India during the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. A group of 25 Rhesus Macaques of different age and sex classes was observed. Data was collected using group scan method. Rhesus Macaques ate 25 plant species, with a preference for 10 species and the order of preference varied in different months. Highly preferred plant species were Udal (Sterculia villosa), Pipal (Ficus religiosa), Jutali (Altingia excelsa), Panijamun (Syzygium syzygioides) and climbers. The monkeys primarily fed on young leaves, mature leaves, fruits, flowers, flower buds, petioles and seeds during study.