An Observation of Fran ois' Langurs Using Caves at Mayanghe National Nature Reserve, Guizhou, China

Cyril C. Grueter <SUP>; *</SUP>; DING Wei

Cyril C. Grueter , *, DING Wei. 2006. An Observation of Fran ois' Langurs Using Caves at Mayanghe National Nature Reserve, Guizhou, China. Zoological Research, 27(5): 558-560.

Citation:

Cyril C. Grueter , *, DING Wei. 2006. An Observation of Fran ois' Langurs Using Caves at Mayanghe National Nature Reserve, Guizhou, China. Zoological Research, 27(5): 558-560.

Citation:

Cyril C. Grueter , *, DING Wei. 2006. An Observation of Fran ois' Langurs Using Caves at Mayanghe National Nature Reserve, Guizhou, China. Zoological Research, 27(5): 558-560.

An Observation of Fran ois' Langurs Using Caves at Mayanghe National Nature Reserve, Guizhou, China

Graphical Abstract

Graphical Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

The utilization of caves is a rather rare phenomenon in nonhuman primates, found almost exclusively in those members of the genus Trachypithecus that share a preference for forest on limestone (karst) hills in Vietnam and southern China. Here we report a new case of usage of caves as overnight sleeping shelters by François' or black langurs (Trachypithecus françoisi) at Mayanghe National Nature Reserve in Yanhe County, Guizhou Province, China. We tentatively address three possible hypotheses that may account for the use of caves in François' langurs at Mayanghe: shelter against climatic conditions, acquisition of minerals and protection from predators.