e-ISSN 2231-8542
ISSN 1511-3701
Muhaimin, A. M. D., Aifat, N. R., Abdul-Latiff, M. A. B., Md. Zain, B. M. and Yaakop, S.
Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science, Volume 40, Issue 4, November 2017
Keywords: Primate, new record, dung beetle, species interactions, Langkawi Island
Published on: 3 Nov 2017
The interaction between dung beetles and primates was studied at Telaga Tujuh, Langkawi Island, Malaysia using such as observation and sampling method. The dung beetles were caught, and their dung balls collected. The beetles were identified as Paragymnopleurus maurus, and their dung balls were identified as originating from Macaca fascicularis, using a molecular approach involving the cytochrome b (Cytb) marker. This is the first record of Paragymnopleurus maurus from the study site in the Langkawi Islands and from this part of Malaysia. Paragymnopleurus maurus is attracted to the omnivorous dung of M. fascicularis, because it is a preferred food source for the beetle. Daytime is the active period for P. maurus and this study shows that the foraging area of P. maurus is restricted to the forest, even though the beetle's food source (M. fascicularis' s dung) can be found outside the forest.
ISSN 1511-3701
e-ISSN 2231-8542