Behavioural and Ecological Studies on Rhesus Monkeys with Special Reference to Their Communication

Abstract

The study area, Dunga Gali forests is located on a saddle in the Murree hillsof North Western Pakistan (73° 23’E 34° 3°N) at an approximate elevation of 8200 feet. These forests experience about 60-70 inches of precipilations annually. Vegitation includes abiespindrow, Pinus wallichiana, Taxus baccata, Cedus deodera, Pice smithiana, Besberis lycium, Dyosporus lotus, Quercus incana and Pinus roxhurghii. These are about 300 animals in the area ranging from 22-75 animal in each group. Kong’s group was for behavioural studies. This comprises of 25 individuals. Three high ranking adult males, a lower ranking male and a peripheral male and four adult females (two high ranking, one with infant and one without, and twolow ranking, one with an infant and one without). Observations on feeding behaviour show that the monkeys feed on Vibernum nervosm, Cornus (dogwood), Bergenia ulmus, Acschylus leaves succulent new tips of Abies pindrow, Arisaama jacquemontii and Taxus baccata. The frequency of interactions among adults in low: a total of 60 interactions occurred in 800 minutes of sample time. Friendly interactions for outweight other kinda as demonstrated by our data; affiliation interactions 36-109 interactions involving aggressive and/or submission behaviour 24-36. An animal was recorded dominant over another if its approach or threat produced a cower in the other. Sexual behaviour starts in the last week of August and lasts upto end of September. High ranking males copulate with several females. Homo-sexuality occurs between pre-adults and juveniles peripheral males frequently masterbate during the mating season. Three types of play behaviour are observed: pear’s play, mother-infant play and enviornmental play. During infancy, mothers vestraint an infants pushes it towards pear’s play and enviornmental play.