Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
8
Macaca fascicularis
in Mauritius:
Implications for macaque-human
interactions and for future research
on long-tailed macaques
R o b e r t W . S u s s m a n, C h r i s t o p h e r A . S h a f f e r
and Lisa Guidi
Introduction
Macaca fascicularis
is an extremely adaptable species that is found throughout
the continental and insular Southeast Asia (Gumert, Chapter 1). In the six-
teenth century, long-tailed macaques were introduced by Portuguese or Dutch
sailors from Sumatra or Java into Mauritius where they have readily adapted to
flora entirely different from that of Asia (Sussman and Tatterall,
1986
; Cheke,
1987
; Kondo
et al
.,
1993
; Tosi and Coke,
2007
; Blancher
et al
.,
2008
).
Throughout their range, long-tailed macaques inhabit dense primary can-
opy forest, riverine and coastal forest, mangrove and nipa swamp, as well
as secondary forest, and disturbed habitats (Medway,
1970
; Southwick and
Cadigan,
1972
; Kurland,
1973
; Rijksen,
1978
; Rodman,
1978a
; Fittinghoff
and Lindburgh;
1980
; Wheatley,
1980
; Crockett and Wilson,
1980
; Fooden,
1995
; van Schaik
et al
.,
1996
; Fuentes
et al
.,
2005
; Ong and Richerson,
2008
). They are found from sea level to 2000 m (Rowe,
1996
; Supriatna
et al
.,
1996
), and are “adaptable opportunists” (MacKinnon and MacKinnon,
1980
).
For example, Crockett and Wilson (
1980
) found
M. fascicularis
in 22 of 25
habitat types surveyed in Sumatra, in contrast to eight of 25 exploited by
M. nemestrina
.
Long-tailed macaques also are commonly found in habitats disturbed by
humans, including urban and agricultural settings. In an early report, Medway
(
1970
) observed that, of all southeast Asian primates, long-tailed macaques
consistently and easily utilize secondary forest. Even within their riverine
