Reports

Program No.18-001

Compare the ecological characteristics between the Barbary and Japanese macaques

HANYA GORO

17th June,2006 - 6th July,2006

Since 2004, I have conducted a project to compare the ecological characteristics between the Barbary and Japanese macaques, to reveal the general characteristics of ecological adaptations of temperate primates. 
This project has been supported by the HOPE from its beginning. In 2004, I visited Dr. Nelly Menard at Rennes University, France to discuss on the collaborative comparative study between these two macaques. We agreed to compare their diet, habitat, and leaf chemistry. We already have data on diet and habitat, and we decided to sample leaves in Morocco and compare their chemical contents with that of Yakushima leaves, which have already been analyzed by me. I visited Morocco in October 2005 and sampled tree leaves there.

This time, I visited Morocco to sample herb leaves, which cannot be sampled last time. Dr. Menard was conducted fieldwork in Morocco while my visit there, so we discussed about our project in progress.

Unfortunately, some herb species have died before my visit, so I could sample only four species this time. After weighing and measuring area, these leaves were ground and kept for chemical analysis.

After the fieldwork in Morocco, I attended the 21st Congress of the International Primatological Society. I made a poster presentation entitled "Food competition, competitive regime, and female social relationships of Japanese macaques: within-population variation in Yakushima." After the congress, I joined in the excursion to Kibale National Park. I observed nine diurnal primate species, including orangutan and had a chance to discuss many researchers.

Sampling of leaves in Morocco. Right, Dr. Mohamed Qarro, left, Dr. Nelly Menard.

Evening discussions on the current research situations in Kibale National Park.

HOPE Project<>