Gut microbiota suggests dependency of Arunachal Macaque (Macaca munzala) on anthropogenic food in Western Arunachal Pradesh, Northeastern India: Preliminary findings

Exploring gut microbiome is imperative to comprehend the foraging habits, species health and the various environmental and physiological challenges being experienced by the species in the wild. The present study provides the first report of the gut microbial diversity of Arunachal macaque, Macaca munzala, an endangered cercopithecine macaque discovered recently and confined to Western Arunachal Pradesh of Northeastern India. The observed predominant phyla include Firmicutes followed by Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria with the dominant classes represented by the Clostridia, Betaproteobacteria and Coriobacteriia. The gut microbiome of Arunachal macaques displayed a unique signature and significantly resembled with humans indicating dependency of Arunachal macaque for dietary intake on anthropogenic food. Although results demonstrate dietary plasticity of Arunachal macaque to co-exist with human-mediated habitat change, it raises concerns on the availability of natural food resources and provides evidence of change in dietary habits of Arunachal macaques in Western Arunachal Pradesh. The results highlighted necessity for immediate attention of the forest officials/managers in strategise screening/planting natural food resources and monitoring anthropogenic activities in the distribution of Arunachal macaques. The study offers suggestions in better planning for conflict management to reduce physical interactions and crop losses made by the Arunachal macaques.