Mammalian diversity in West Java, Indonesia

Husodo T, Shanida SS, Febrianto P, Pujianto MP, Megantara EN. 2019. Mammalian diversity in West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 1846-1858. Protected forests in West Java are wider than conservation forests, whereas mammalian diversity in protected forests is as high as mammalian diversity in conservation forests. Mammals in protected forests are not protected by regional protection regulations, while anthropogenic factors in Java are quite high. This is possible that mammals who have high conservation status will experience local extinction. This study aims to determine (i) the composition of mammalian species and (ii) the species that are always found in studies of mammalian diversity in West Java. The study was conducted through a qualitative approach by combining several methods such as interview, camera trapping, sign survey, observation and transect, and collapsible traps. Mammalia in West Java found 54 species, 21 families, and nine orders with details of three species of Artiodactyla, 12 species of Carnivores, seven species of Chiroptera, one species of Dermoptera, one species of Euphotyphla, one species of Pholidota, five species of Primates, 21 species of Rodentia, and three species of Scandentia. The species that are always found in all study locations are nine species, including wild boar, Javan leopard, leopard cat, Javan mongoose, oriental small-clawed otter, Asian palm civet, grizzled leaf monkey, Javan langur, and Javan tree shrew. The results presented here may facilitate improvements in the mammalian diversity database, especially in the non-conservation area.

Floristic composition of different habitats of indochinese silvered langur (Trachypithecus germaini) in the Chua Hang karst in Kien Luong district, Kien Giang province, Vietnam

The Indochinese silvered langur (Trachypithecus germaini) is a leaf monkey species that occurs on four karst hills in the Kien Luong District, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam. In this study, the floristic composition of four habitats where the silvered langur were observed feeding was analyzed. These habitats include cliffs, slopes, the peak of the Chua Hang karst and the adjacent mangroves. We identified 185 plant species belonging to 61 families distributing across the habitats, and the silvered langurs fed on 60 plant species of 37 families. Among food plants selected by the silvered langur, 41 plant species were distributed on the cliff, followed by the slope (31 species), the peak (24 species), and the mangroves (4 species). The silvered langurs fed on about 67% of plant species on the cliff. Plant species richness of the slope areas was highest (at D=0.45, D: Simpson index, and d=20.0, d: Margalef index) compared with the other habitats. The floristic composition of the cliff, slope and peak was quite similar to each other, with the similarity index (SI) ranging from 0.47 to 0.56. The results showed that four plant species, Phyllathus reticulatus Poir, Ficus rumphii Blume, Streblus ilicifolia (Kurz.) Corn. and Cayratia trifolia L. were consumed throughout of the year. In summary, present results add important information for conservation of the Indochinese silvered langur in Vietnam.

Vegetation Structure of Ebony Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus auratus) Habitat in Kecubung Ulolanang Nature Preservation Central Java-Indonesia

Kecubung Ulolanang Nature Preservation is ebony leaf monkey’s habitats in Central Java Indonesia. Continuously degradation of their population is caused by illegal hunting and habitat degradation that made this species being vulnerable. Habitat conservation is one of important aspects to prevent them from extinction. The purpose of this research was to analyze the vegetation’s structure and composition, which was potentially, becomes habitat and food source for the monkeys. Data collected using purposive sampling with line transect method of four different level of vegetation. Data analysis used Important Value Index and Diversity Index. There were 43 species of vegetation at seedling stage, 18 species at sapling stage, 8 species at poles stage and 27 species at trees stage. Species that had the highest important value index at seedling was Stenochlaena palustri , at the sapling was Gnetum gnemon, at pole was Swietenia mahagoni and at tree was Tectona grandis . Species of trees those were potentially to become habitat (food source) for ebony leaf monkey were T. grandis, Dipterocarpus gracilis, Quercus sundaica and Ficus superba. The highest diversity index was at seedling gwoth stage.

Feeding Behavior of Phayre’s Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus phayrei) and Capped Langur (Trachypithecus pileatus) in Dampa Tiger Reserve, Mizoram

A study on feeding behavior of two primate species viz; Phayre’s leaf monkey (Trachypithecus phayrei, Blyth, 1847) and capped langur (Trachypithecus pileatus Blyth, 1843) was conducted during summer season (March–May, 2014) in Dampa Tiger Reserve (DTR), Mizoram, India. Study was carried out in the Terei range of forest reserve. A total of 87 plant species including bamboo were recorded in the area. Both species of primates (T. phayrei and T. pileatus) were studied for their food plant selection, diet composition, time budget for activities during day. Selection of trees to sleep at night was also observed. Capped langur selected 7 food plant species whereas Phayre’s leaf monkey selected 8 food plants. 40% of the plant species were common to both the primate species; however they showed a distinct variation in food plant preference. Phayre’s leaf monkey spent S 90% of feeding time on Musa ornata, Melacana baccifera and Dendrocalamus longispathus and S 80% Musa balbisiana, Gmelina arborea and Buetneria pilosa; an indication of preference for bamboo species and climbers. Capped langur spent feeding time S 90% on Ficus maclellendi and Ficus semicordata while other species were given comparatively less time. Both the species had consumed young leaves, flowers and fruits in their diet that constitute nearly 80% of the diet. Food items were drawn from different plants. The Phayre’s preferred Dendrocalamus longispathus, (98%) as sleeping site while the Capped langur selected Ficus benghalensis (90%) to sleep at night. Both the species are folivorous in nature but the selection of food plants, source of diet components and plants used to sleep at night were different that indicates that both species has distinct niche within the same habitat type; a very strong survival strategy.