Biodiv Sci ›› 2024, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (2): 23402.  DOI: 10.17520/biods.2023402

• Original Papers: Animal Diversity • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Interspecific associations between Rhinopithecus brelichi and its sympatric species using infrared cameras

Xiaolong Huang1,5,#, Bingshun Meng1,2,#, Haibo Li3,5, Wei Ran3, Wei Yang3, Cheng Wang4, Bo Xie2, Xu Zhang1,6, Jingcheng Ran1,5, Mingming Zhang2,*()   

  1. 1 Guizhou Academy of Forestry, Guiyang 550005
    2 College of Forestry, Research Center for Biodiversity and Nature Conservation of Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025
    3 Guizhou Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve Administration, Jiangkou, Guizhou 554400
    4 Zhangjiajie Giant Salamander National Nature Reserve Affires Center, Zhangjiajie, Hunan 427400
    5 Guizhou Fanjingshan Forest Ecosystem National Positioning Observation and Research Station, Jiangkou, Guizhou 554400
    6 Guizhou Caohai Wetland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Weining, Guizhou 553100
  • Received:2023-10-22 Accepted:2023-11-30 Online:2024-02-20 Published:2024-02-27
  • Contact: E-mail: mmzhang@gzu.edu.cn
  • About author:#Co-first authors

Abstract:

Aims Interspecific relationships is one of the core topics in community ecology researches, and it is vital for understanding the species evolution and for developing effective conservation policies. In order to comprehensively protect the Guizhou snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus brelichi), it is extremely important to understand its interspecific relationships with other species in its community.

Method Using infrared camera monitoring data from the Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve from 2017 to 2022, this study used the spatial correlation method to construct an association network between R. brelichi and terrestrial birds and mammals. From this, we discuss the ecological function of R. brelichi in the community with implications for its protection.

Results The results showed that: (1) Rhinopithecus brelichi was spatially associated with the Tibetan macaque (Macaca thibetana), Temmick’s tragopan (Tragopan temminckii), Chinese serow (Capricornis milneedwardsii), crab-eating mongoose (Herpestes urva), Himalayan porcupine (Hystrix brachyura), greater hog badger (Arctonyx collaris), wild boar (Sus scrofa), koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha) and Chinese muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi). Overall, the species composition of the communities in which R. brelichi was found was relatively similar to that of the golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana). (2) There were no terrestrial predators of R. brelichi in the Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve. (3) Rhinopithecus brelichi was ecologically in competition with Capricornis milneedwardsii, Herpestes urva, Hystrix brachyura, Sus scrofa, Muntiacus reevesi and Pucrasia macrolopha, so excessive population growth of these species may crowd R. brelichi and inhibit its population growth. (4) Rhinopithecus brelichi can benefit from coexisting with Macaca thibetana and Tragopan temminckii, so conservation efforts aimed at protecting these species will also be beneficial for R. brelichi.(5) Effective protection of R. brelichi will also benefit Arctonyx collaris and Tragopan temminckii, so its conservation will stabilize the ecological community.

Conclusion This preliminary study explores the interspecific ecological relationships of R. brelichi with sympatric species. The findings indicate that not only does R. brelichi benefit from the other species in its community, but it also serves an ecological function that benefits the rest of the community. We strongly recommend that a comprehensive and balanced multi-species conservation strategy, as an effective supplement to the protection for R. brelichi, should be implemented and enhanced in the long-term biodiversity conservation and management in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve.

Key words: interspecific relationship, spatial associations, Rhinopithecus brelichi, Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve