GENERAL BEHAVIOR AND VEGETATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE HABITATS OF ASSAMESE MONKEY ( Macaca assamensis McClelland , 1840 ) ALONG KALIGANDAKI RIVER BANK , WESTERN NEPAL

This study was focused on Macaca assamensis general behavior and vegetation associated with their habitats in Kaligandaki River Basin at Baglung and Parbat Districts of Nepal. The field survey was conducted from December, 2015 to May, 2016 to explore the Assamese Macaque general behavior and vegetation associated with their habitats. Total area of 104.70 km 2 was surveyed, vegetation analysis was done by random quadrates sampling method and behavioral data were collected by scan sampling method. A total of 47 individuals of Assamese Macaques (Macaca assamensis) were counted in four different troops. Total of 2240 scan samples were recorded from the four different troops during this study period the scan samples revealed that foraging was 47%, moving 28%, resting 14% and grooming 11%. In the context of daily activity pattern for aging time of Assamese monkey was found to be highest 54% in 15:00 to 18:00 observational phase and lowest 40% in the observational phase of 12.00 to 15.00 hours. Moving time of the Assamese monkey was found to be highest 33% in 12.00 to 15.00 observational phase and lowest 22% at 15:00 to 18:00 observational phase, resting time of Assamese monkey was found to be highest 15% in 09:00 to 12:00 hours and lowest 13% in 15:00 to 18:00 observational phase and Assamese monkey were seen mostly grooming 13% in 12.00 to 15.00 hours and lowest 10% in 15:00 to 18:00 observational phase. By quadrate sampling, 58 plant species with 716 number were recorded. Sal (Sorea robusta) was the dominant plant species with relative density 31.42% and relative frequency 8.376% which was followed by Tiju (Diospyros malabarica)with relative density 10.93% and relative frequency 8.376%.


INTRODUCTION
Assamese monkeys inhabit in the mountains and hills along the Himalayas.This species has been reported from Nepal, India (Medhi et al., 2007), Bhutan (Kawamoto et al., 2006) Myanmar, Bangladesh (Menon, 2003;Chalise, 2011) Thailand, Southernmost China and Laos (Zhou et al., 2011;Timmins & Duckworth, 2013).It was recorded from North Thailand ranging 610m to 1830m asl (Sanjaya et al., 2003).Chalise (2013) recorded it from 380m in Mulghat, Tamor to 2350m asl in Langtang, Nepal.It was reported to cover wider geographical ranges, with fragmented population, distributed along rivers in the tropical and subtropical areas.The reported areas covered Kankai valley of Ilam, Sabhaya Valley and its range further extended west to Makalu Barun National Park, Melamchi, Langtang National Park (Chalise, 2003), Nagarjun Area of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Makwanpur, Dhading, Myagdi, Ramdi, Palpa, Achham district (Chalise, 2003(Chalise, & 2008;;Wada, 2005), Baglung and Parbat (Paudel, 2016b(Paudel, & 2016c;;Paudel & Chalise, 2016) to Chamelia river basin (N 29°48'34.6'', E 80°51'02.8'', 1607m) of Api Nampa Conservation Area (Chalise, 2013).Assamese monkeys have been categorized as endangered species by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red list category and one of the protected species by National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973 due to the low population and conservation threats (Janawali et al., 2011).They are kept as Appendix II of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (Chalise, 2013).Behavior is the response of both the physical as well as habitat condition of animals (Sarkar, 2000).It varies from habitat to habitat depending upon the resource distribution.In primate, food, mates, drink and roosting trees are the most important resources, which control activities.Among these resources, food seems to be the most crucial primary factor which regulates day-to-day activity profiles (Sarkar et al., 2012).So, the study of animal behavior is of great practical importance for the conservation of wild animals in their natural habitats (Manning & Dawkins, 1998).According to the climatic data, average monthly relative humidity at morning was 77.17% and at evening was 78.15%.Highest precipitation was recorded (553.6 mm) in the month of July during the study period, while no precipitation was recorded in the months of November and December (Source: NG/ RDHM Pokhara).Study area is rich in biodiversity which may be due to presence of alluvial soil along the basin of this large Kaligandaki River, and high productivity of tropical deciduous riverine forest (Chalise, 2013).In broad classification, the study area falls in Sorea-Diospyros zone (Paudel, 2016a).Mixed type of forest was found in the study area.Tropical deciduous riverine forest sub-tropical grassland and sub-tropical evergreen forest are the forest types in the study area (Chalise, 2013).

Block design
To study the Assamese monkey, study area were divide into four blocks namely Block A (Chisti, Jaidi, Arjewa and Binamare VDCs), Block B (Kusmisera, Amalachaur and NarayansthanVDCs), Block C (Siwalaya and Pang VDC) and Block D (Nangliwang and Dhairing VDCs).Blocks are designed on the basis of habitat character (Rijal, 2014).Which were separated by large Kaligandaki river i.e.Block A and B from Baglung district site where as Block C and D from Parbat District site.

General behavior
Behavioral data were obtained by the scan sampling method.The behaviors of monkey were recorded for two minute at interval of 10 minutes (Altman, 1974;Martin & Boteson, 1993;Chalise, 1997) with the help of timer aided by binoculars.Scan samples were recorded covering all four distinct time period viz.early morning, late morning, afternoon and evening.Other events and interesting behaviors of any members of the groups were also recorded whenever noticed.The animals were observed daily from 06:00 A.M. to 18.00 P.M.The daily observation schedule was divided into four shifts; early morning shift: 06.00-09.00hr.late morning shift: 09.00-12.00hr.afternoon shift: 12.00-15.00hr. and evening shift 15.00-18.00hr.Once in a week continuous 12 hourly observations was undertaken with the help of field assistance.Direct ocular observation method was employed for cataloguing the behavior.The ocular observation was aided with 10 × 40 mm binoculars.Following behaviors were observed including other social activities of Assamese Macaques in the study area.Below mentioned description from Chalise (2003) was used to distinguish the behaviors among troops.I. Foraging: The behavior activity in which monkey searches for food or wanders in search for food including eating any substance, licking stone, drinking water and slight movement in search of food.II.Moving: The behavioral phenomenon in which monkey produces motion displacing from one place to another.III.Resting: The state when Assamese rest with the body supporting upon the buttocks with hind quarters lowered on to a supporting surface.IV.Grooming: The behavioral phenomenon in which monkeys search their own fur or the fur of others for lice, bugs or diet which include rubbing, licking and scratching.

Habitat analysis
Due to the mountainous topography that precludes most of the systemic survey methods (Ross & Reeve, 2003), quadrate sampling by using the quadrates of 20×20 m sized were done to analyze vegetation of Assamese monkey habitat.Total 21 quadrates were laid down randomly in the possible habitat of macaques.11 quadrate were laid down in Baglung site where as 10 quadrate were laid down at Parbat site (Figure 2).Species diversity of trees was calculated.The collected vegetation data were quantitatively analyzed.
To understand characteristics and productivity of the habitat, different parameters like density, relative density, frequency, relative frequency and dominance were determined (Zobel et al., 1987).Local name of the plant was identified by the experienced local person.Unidentified plants in the field were prepared herbarium and were identified at National Herbarium Center, Godawori, Lalitpur.

Density of a species
Relative density of a species ×100 Frequency of a species is the percentage of quadrates in which the particular species occurs.It gives an index on the spatial distribution of a species and is a measure of relative abundance (Krebs, 1978).

Frequency of a species ×100
Relative Frequency of a species × 100

General behavior
In the study site a total of 47 individuals of Assamese Macaques (Macaca assamensis) were counted in four different troops during the field study dated from December, 2015 to May, 2016.The minimum numbers of Assamese Macaques were reported from the Balewa troop of Amalachaur VDC whereas maximum numbers of Assamese Macaques were reported in Aduwabari troop of Chisti VDC.Field work was carried out from Janauary to April, 2016.Total jungle time was of 345 hours and animal contact time was 185 hours.Four major behaviors (foraging, moving, resting and grooming) were recorded during the study period.Behavioral data were obtained by the scan sampling method.Total of 1640 scan samples were recorded from all four troops.The animals were observed daily from 06:00 AM to 18.00 PM.Daily observation schedule was divided into four shifts; early morning shift: 06.00-09.00hr.late morning shift: 09.00-12.00hr.afternoon shift: 12.00-15.00hr. and evening shift 15.00-18.00hr.Once in a week continuous 12 hourly observations was undertaken with the help of field assistance.Direct ocular observation method was employed for cataloguing the behavior.

Diurnal activity pattern
Foraging time of the Assamese monkey was found to be highest 54% in 15:00 to 18:00 observational phase followed by 50% in the morning from 06:00 to 09:00 observational phase, 43% in 09:00 to 12.00 observational phase and 40% in the observational phase of 12.00 to 15.00 hours.Moving time of the Assamese monkey was found to be highest 33% in 12.00 to 15.00 observational phase followed by 30% in 09:00 to 12:00 observational phase, 24% in 06:00 to 09:00 observational phase and 22% in 15:00 to 18:00 observational phase.Resting time of Assamese monkey was found to be highest 15% in 09:00 to 12:00 hours followed by 14% in 06:00 to 09:00 and 12.00 to 15.00 hours, 13% in 15:00 to 18:00 observational phase.Assamese monkey were seen mostly grooming 13% in 12.00 to 15.00 hours, 12% in 09:00 to 12:00 observational phase, 11% in 09:00 to 12:00 observational phase, and10% in 15:00 to 18:00 observational phase (Figure 5).The amount of time spent on locomotion is determined primarily by the distribution of food and food plant species in the habitat and by the nature of food items (Sarkar, 2000).Therefore, the Assamese Macaque had to allot 28% time to locomotion similar result were recorded by Sarkar et al. (2012)  The present study showed that the Assamese Macaques spent 47% of their total time on feeding while Sarkar et al. (2012) showed that the forest group spend 40% of their total annual time (range 38-45) on feeding.Chalise (2000b) found 47/44% which is 3 to 4% difference in case of feeding in his study (1997 to 1998) (Sarkar, 2000).Grooming behavior in long term serves the function of reducing "Social Tension" (Schino et al., 1988) and establishes a social bonding among the individual within the group (Kurland, 1977), so the Assamese Macaque spent only 10% of their total time on grooming in the present study.Whereas, Chopra et al. (1992) showed 14% in grooming by Rhesus Macaque, Bhattarai (2002)

Fig. 1 .
Fig. 1.Study area and sites in the map of Nepal.

Table 1 . Value of different parameters for tree species in the study area.
Rijal (2014)ryal (2013)reported, from Arkhele and Nayagaun gulmi area by 8 quadrate of size 25m×25m quadrate sampling, 23 plant species with 191 number.According to his study, Khote Salla (Pinus ruxberghii) was the dominant plant species with relative density 30.89% and relative frequency 13.043% which was followed by Chilaune (Schima wallichi) with relative density 8.34% and relative frequency 10.87% with general behavior pattern of rhesus macaques recorded as foraging 47.25%, moving 27.25%, resting 14%, and grooming 11.5%.This different in general behavior pattern may be due to differentvegetation associated with their habitat.Due to differences in altitude range between these two study sites, two different types of dominant vegetation were found which directly affected the behavior pattern of monkey.Rijal (2014)recorded 27 plant species with 196 numbers at Nagarjun forest of SNNP by quadrate sampling.From his study Chilaune (Schima wallichi) was the dominant plant species with relative density 30.89% followed by Jhankrikath (Machilusduthiei) with relative density 8.98% and Masure katus (Castanopsis tribuloides) with relative frequency 10.87%.In consistency with results of this findings altitudional variation causes the change in vegetation pattern which might have ultimately affected the general behavior pattern.CONCLUSIONTotal 47 individuals of Assamese Macaques were recorded from four troops at Kaligandaki River Basin, Baglung and Parbat Districts during the study period.The minimum of Assamese Macaques were reported from the Balewa Troop of Amalachaur VDC whereas maximum numbers of Assamese Macaques were reported in Aduwabari Troop of Chisti VDC.This study shows that general behavior of Assamese Macaques in different field visiting time in which the feeding activity has been found the major activity profile and minimum was grooming.Vegetation sampling, revealed that study area falls in the Sorea-Diospyros zone.