25 Haz 2025 Çarşamba
Feeding ecology of Hanuman Langur (Semnopithecus entellus) and evaluation of nutrient from utilized plants at Junagadh, Gujarat, India
Abstract : The present study reports the diet of Hanuman Langur (Semnopithecus entellus) at Datar Road, Girnar forest, Junagadh, Gujarat, India. Girnar forest is a mountain hill, tropical dry deciduous forest with rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. In the study, we used the scan-sampling method for collecting feeding behavior data, to count the total number of individuals in troops we used the total count method. Langurs were observed to fed on leaves, flowers and fruits. Langurs troop were observed consuming plant parts of twelve species which belong to seven families, found naturally in their habitat. Plants grows in this region, very firmly and almost available in every season. So, it is an important diet of Hanuman langurs in the Girnar forest region. During October, nine plant species were consumed by the langurs of the focal troop. Of these, Butea monosperma and Prosopis cineraria constitute a major share. We observed that langurs spent most of its time in resting and grooming. The study of the plants showed its mineral composition. Present data provides the ratio of consumption of plant species and nutrient value for Hanuman Langur. The Butea monosperma was the major part of the langur’s diet while the Prosopis juliflora was consumed in the least quantity. In Butea monosperma biomass was present in a high amount of 53.83% as compared to other plants. The amount of calcium was 118 ppm which was higher than other plants while magnesium was 24 ppm medium compared to other plants. Fruit of Morinda pubescens, flowers of Tectona grandis, stem and bark of Butea monospermawas consumed by S. entellus. Plant species are mostly trees except for Ziziphus jujube (shrub), which were consumed by S. entellus. Butea monosperma biomass was present in a higher amount (53.83%) as compared to other plants.