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We report the first in-depth evidence of targeted mushroom foraging in an Asian colobine. Using direct observations (2010-2018) and camera traps (2008-2018) in the Sebangau Forest, Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo, we show how adult female red langurs (Presbytis rubicunda) are regularly descending to the ground to consume mushrooms. We recorded 82 counts (0.36% of all focal observations, n = 25,502) of the focal adult langur on the ground from direct observations of habituated groups, and 80 independent images/videos of red langurs on the ground were obtained from the camera traps representing 1.12% of total images (n = 7,145). Mushroom consumption took place in 4 families, representing 0.04% of total focal behaviour observations and 24.3% of total time feeding on the ground. From the camera trap photos, red langurs are spending 20% of time on the ground feeding. We speculate that mushrooms could be a supplementary food for adult female langurs as there is an increase in consumption in April and November., (© 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

We provide the first parasite assessment of wild red langurs (Presbytis rubicunda). Seven helminth taxa and 4 protozoa were recovered from faecal samples. We report the details of the death of an adult female red langur with potential association of an elevated parasite infection. There is a paucity of published literature on red langurs and nothing is known of the factors affecting interspecific parasite transmission and disease spread between other primate species. Parasites may be substantial determinants of host health and may present a significant influence on the survival and reproduction of individuals and the subsequent fecundity of populations. Further research into the connection of parasite burden with individual deaths and potential population declines is recommended for monitoring population health., (© 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Southeast Asia's lowland dipterocarp forests experience supra-annual "mast" fruiting and flowering events, in which the majority of trees reproduce simultaneously at irregular intervals, with extensive intervening periods of very low primate food availability. This scarcity of food results in a negative energy balance and a reliance on "fallback foods" in some primate species. By contrast, ombrogenous tropical peat-swamp forests are non-masting, and show lower variability of food availability. We sought to test the influence of fruit availability on primate diet and preference in peat-swamp habitats and assess whether it differs from masting forests. We collected behavioral-dependent feeding data on three adult females in a group of red langurs (Presbytis rubicunda: Colobinae) between January and December 2011 in Sabangau tropical peat-swamp forest, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, as colobine monkeys are adaptated for folivory, and are therefore generally considered less reliant on temporally variable fruits than monogastric primates. We documented the highest level of granivory recorded to date in colobine monkeys: mean annual diet comprised 76.4% seeds and 7.3% other fruit parts; 7.7% young and 2.5% mature leaves; 2.8% flowers; 2.6% piths, and <1% on other minor food items. Fruit availability was fairly constant throughout the year and fruit parts were consumed at consistently higher levels than expected based on availability, confirming that fruit is preferred. Leaves and flowers were consumed consistently less than expected and thus are not preferred. There were no significant correlations between preferred food availability and consumption of potential fallback foods, suggesting that reliance on fallback foods did not occur in Sabangau during the study period. Furthermore, consumption of fruit was not significantly correlated with its availability. Our findings suggest that the relatively constant availability of fruit in this habitat affords P. rubicunda regular access to a nutritionally superior food, and that reliance on fallback foods is therefore not required., (© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)