Utilization of forest flora by Phayre’s Leaf-Monkey Trachypithecus phayrei (Primates: Cercopithecidae) in semi-evergreen forests of Bangladesh

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M.A. Aziz
M.M. Feeroz

Abstract

Trachypithecus phayrei was observed to use 29 floral species belonging to 14 plant taxa for feeding, resting and sleeping in the semi-evergreen forest of Bangladesh. Principal food items were young and mature leaves (47%), shoots (19%), flowers and buds (16%), fruits and seeds (14%) and petioles (4%). T. phayrei preferred leaves in December (76%), fruits and seeds in June (57%) and flowers and buds in April (41%), respective lowest preferences were in April (49%), February (10%), and January (9%). There were two feeding peaks: early morning (0600-0800 hr) and late afternoon (1400-1600 hr). The studied group of T. phayrei divided into sub-troops during foraging and feeding.

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Section
Communications
Author Biographies

M.A. Aziz

Mohammad Abdul Aziz is currently teaching students, undertaking and supervising various research activities. With background training in Wildlife Biology, his research endeavor includes human-wildlife interactions, bidirectional zoonotic disease transmission, mammalian ecology and conservation, sustainable protected area management approaches, etc.

M.M. Feeroz

Mohammed Mostafa Feeroz PhD is currently teaching students and developing, coordinating, and collaborating research design and activities with different educational and research institutions at home and abroad. His current research interest includes bidirectional zoonotic disease transmission, primate population genetics, ecology and conservation, avian influenza transmission and sustainable livelihood and protected area management.