Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Estimated distribution ca. 1980
N
16
Kilometers
0 24
8
12
Figure 8.2. Approximate distribution of macaques on Mauritius.
The massif complexes include the “Port Louis Group” in the northwest, close
to the capital city, the “Black River group” in the southwest, and the “Bambous
group” in the west (Sussman and Tattersall,
1986
; Bertram and Ginsberg,
1994
). Bertram and Ginsberg (
1994
) estimated that approximately four-fifths
of the areas occupied by the monkeys are connected to one another and provide
corridors for the monkeys (
Figure 8.2
). The monkeys are most numerous and
wide-spread in the southwestern portion of the island, an area centering on the
Black River group of massifs. Much of this area consists of degraded thicket
and savanna formations but on the higher elevations and on the steeper slopes
vestiges of indigenous primary forest remain. As elsewhere, the long-tailed
macaques on Mauritius are extremely adaptable and inhabit most of the habitat
types in which Asian populations are found. The distribution of the macaques
on Mauritius is not uniform and different habitats support different densities
of monkeys.
Macaca fascicularis
in Mauritius are relatively small with long tails, and are
sexually dimorphic. Mean weight of adult females was 4.45 kg (3.63-5.67 kg
range, N=16) and that of adult males was 7.68 kg (6.80-9.30 kg range, N=8).
