Resource partitioning in sympatric langurs and macaques in tropical rainforests of the central Western Ghats, south India

Research on sympatric primate species in the central Western Ghats, south India, reveals minimal niche overlap and no contest competition among lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus), bonnet macaques (M. radiata), and Hanuman langurs (Semnopithecus entellus). Despite seasonal variations in resource abundance, dietary overlap was low during the dry season and high only between macaque species during the wet season, yet no agonistic interactions were observed. This suggests that these primates avoid competition through behavioral and ecological practices, such as foraging at different tree heights or using distinct substrates for animal prey, allowing them to coexist sympatrically year-round without significant contest competition.

Singh, M., Roy, K., & Singh, M. (2010). Resource partitioning in sympatric langurs and macaques in tropical rainforests of the central Western Ghats, south India. American Journal of Primatology, 73(4), 335–346. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.20900