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The newly described Arunachal macaque Macaca munzala occurs largely in sub-tropical to temperate environments at elevations of c. 1,800-3,000 m in Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India. We studied its over-wintering strategy by comparing the diet, ranging, and behavior of a troop of 24 individuals during winter and spring (December 2005 to May 2006) through instantaneous scan sampling (3,002 records, 448 scans, 112 hr of observation). We also monitored the phenology of food plants. The macaques spent more time (41-66%) feeding in the winter than in spring (33-51%), whereas time spent moving and resting was greater in spring. The diet composed largely of plants, with animal matter being eaten rarely. The number of plant species in the diet increased from 18 to 25 whereas food types rose from 18 to 36 from winter to spring, respectively. Although only two species formed 75% of the winter diet, seven species comprised this proportion in spring. Availability of fruits and young leaves increased in spring; the troop moved more and utilized a larger part of its range during this time. Seasonal changes in behavior could be explained by the scarcity of food and the costs of thermoregulation in winter. Our study suggests that the Arunachal macaque inhabits a highly seasonal environment and has an over-wintering strategy that includes subsisting on a high-fiber diet by increasing the time spent feeding, and minimizing energy expenditure by reducing the time spent moving., (Copyright 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

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The Arunachal macaque Macaca munzala was discovered in 2003 from the high altitudes of western Arunachal Pradesh, and described as a new species in 2005. Virtually nothing is yet known of this new macaque species. In order to generate scientific knowledge on this primate, a field study was conducted to collect information on its ranging patterns, diet and behaviour. Two multimale multifemale troops were observed for a period of 112 h in Zemithang valley, Tawang District. The two troops, consisting of 22 and 13 individuals respectively, spent on an average, 48% of the observed time in moving and foraging, 36% in sitting and resting, and 16% in social interactions. Foraging alone accounted for 29% of the time-activity budget and was the major activity of the macaques throughout the study. The troops had home ranges of 28 ha and 16 ha respectively, much smaller than those of other macaque species studied in similar environments elsewhere. The macaques ranged largely in the secondary scrub habitat in the study area, where they were observed to feed mainly on Elaeagnus parvifolia and Erythrina arborescens. Although fruits of the former species constituted more than 65.8% of the overall diet, this largely frugivorous diet is likely to be seasonal. Our preliminary results suggest the ranging and foraging behaviour of the Arunachal macaque to be largely in response to food resource availability. The species also appears to be a typical member of the sinica species-group of the genus in exhibiting a matrifocal society with tolerant social relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]