Frugivore assemblage of Ficus superba in a warm‐temperate forest in Yakushima, Japan

Japanese macaques are the dominant consumers of Ficus superba figs in Yakushima's warm-temperate forests, accounting for 87.6% of consumption, with seasonal shifts in their feeding behavior linked to temperature and fruit availability. Unlike birds, which increase fig consumption during cooler months when insect prey is scarce, macaques rely on F. superba as a fallback food during periods of low fruit abundance, particularly in winter. The study employed 141 four-hour observations over 12 months to quantify frugivore contributions and identify factors influencing seasonal consumption patterns, revealing macaques' strategic use of figs amid environmental constraints.

Hamada, A., & Hanya, G. (2016). Frugivore assemblage of Ficus superba in a warm‐temperate forest in Yakushima, Japan. Ecological Research, 31(6), 903–911. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-016-1398-z