The adaptive significance of geophagy for Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) at Arashiyama, Japan

We gathered data on the amount, composition, and rate of ingestion of foods and soils by the provisioned Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata fuscata) at Arashiyama, Japan. Behavioral observations spanned one year on 8 adult females, using focal animal sampling. We analyzed a subsample of their foods f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of primatology 2001-06, Vol.22 (3), p.495-520
Main Authors: WAKIBARA, J. V, HUWMAN, M. A, WINK, M, REICH, S, AUFREITER, S, HANCOCK, R. G. V, SODHI, R, MAHONEY, W. C, RUSSEL, S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation to change
Adsorption
Animal and plant ecology
Animal behavior
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Autoecology
Biological and medical sciences
Carbohydrates
Chemical properties
Clay minerals
Feeding
Food
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Geophagy
Ingestion
Japan
Macaca fuscata fuscata
Mammalia
Old World monkeys
Primates
Primatology
Soil analysis
Tannins
Vertebrata
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Summary:We gathered data on the amount, composition, and rate of ingestion of foods and soils by the provisioned Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata fuscata) at Arashiyama, Japan. Behavioral observations spanned one year on 8 adult females, using focal animal sampling. We analyzed a subsample of their foods for nutritional and toxic secondary compound content. We also analyzed soils eaten by the macaques for several physical-chemical properties and tested their adsorption affinity to tannins and alkaloids. Geophagy occurred at a high rate of 2.97 g/indiv./day with an elevated frequency in the afternoon. About two-thirds of their foods (by fresh weight) were provisioned items, which are extremely rich in proteins and soluble carbohydrates. The soils that they ingested were generally poor in mineral elements, the bio-availability of which was low. The soils had a high adsorption capacity for plant alkaloids but were poorly absorptive for tannins. They were rich in clay minerals of proven buffering capacity. Geophagy at Arashiyama may improve the health of macaques via buffering gastric upset. We discuss the results from the viewpoint of several hypotheses on geophagy.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0164-0291
1573-8604
DOI:10.1023/a:1010763930475