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DAILY ACTIVITY BUDGETS FOR THE BUTON MACAQUE (Macaca ochreata brunnescens).

Introduction

There are 19 species of macaque found world wide stretching from the Himalayas in the North, to Sri Lanka in the South and from Morocco in the East, to Japan in the West. Sulawesi, Indonesia and its surrounding islands holds the highest percentage of macaques, it has 7 species (37%). All of the macaques on Sulawesi are endemic (Fooden, 1969).

The Buton macaque, Macaca ochreata brunnescens, which inhabits the islands of Buton and Muna is suggested to be a sub-species of the Booted macaque, Macaca ochreata, which inhabits the lower south-eastern arm of Sulawesi. The differentiation between these two species is the weakest of all the Sulawesi taxa (Fooden, 1969). This could be due to the two species only having been seperated for a maximum of 10,000 years as the islands of Buton and Muna rose above sea level in the Halocene (Groves, 1980).

Objectives

To compare activity budgets of group 1 in Kaweli. Including comparisons between age classes, sex classes, time of day and weather conditions.
To compare diet composition of group 1 in Kaweli. Including comparisons beween age classes, sex classes and to see how their diet changed over the 5 week study period.
To establish the size and composition of their home range. Including the percentage of land in their home range which is occupied by farms.

Methods

The study was based south of Kaweli (ref: 514124), on group 1 out of the 6 groups around the village of Kaweli. Scan samples were taken every 2 minutes, in which the time, age/sex class, behaviour and position in relation to the ground was recorded. Some of the scan samples were taken with the aid of binoculars when the group were either too far away or high up in trees. The sampling was carried out in one of two ways, either left to right and then the following scan was right to left or from top to bottom and then bottom to top. Horizontal or vertical scans were chosen in order to maximise data collection. Reversal of the direction of the scan reduces the possibility of biases. If the whole group was moving in one direction then the focal point remained constant and the individuals that crossed the focal point were recorded.

Several precautions were taken during the study to increase habituation and to decrease disturbance of the group.

The same trousers and a dark blue T-shirt were worn thoughout the week.
The macaqes were observed from a crouched position, sideways on so as not to appear threatening.
Eye contact with the macaques was kept to a minimum as they persieve it as a threat.
To remain as still as possible whilst observing the group and if necessary to move slowly.
Whilst following them, to make as little noise as possible so as not to scare the group.

Initial Results

The study was carried out between the 16^th July 2001 and the 21^st August 2001, a period of 6 weeks. The first week was considered a preliminary week and so will not be included in the analysed data. Week 1 was used to become adjusted to following the group, recording data and so that the group could start to become habituated. In the remaining 5 weeks, 190.6 hours were accumulated in the field with 62.5 of those hours spent observing the group and collecting data. This equates to 33% of the time spent in the field observing the macaques. Group 1 comprised of; 1 Boss Male, 1 White Male, 1 Adult Male, 1 White Female, 1 Pregnant Female, 3 Adult Females, 4 Sub-Adult Males, 1 Sub-Adult Female, 4 Juveniles and 3 Infants. This results in a group of 21 individuals.

Report

A report entitled 'Time budgeting of the Buton Macaque, Macaca ochreata brunnescens' was produced by Jenn Hillyar, University of Nottingham in May 2002. A copy of this dissertation which was awarded a First is available at the Labundo field centre and from the UK offices.