Population structure and habitat use of golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) in royal manas national park, Bhutan

Abstract

This study aims to understand population structure and habitat use of Golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) in Royal Manas National Park, southern Bhutan. The study was conducted using extensive and intensive surveys. Survey revealed population of 433 individuals comprising 46 groups. Six permanent transects were monitored with 12 temporal replicates which found mean group size 6.91±1.54 (SE = .701) in tropical; 7.82 ± 1.06 (SE = .483) in subtropical; and 6.80 ± 0.92 (SE = .416) in warm broadleaved forest. Overall group composition was 16.96% (n = 39) adult males, 40.17% (n = 96) adult females, 11.29% (n = 27) sub-adults, 13.39% (n = 32) juveniles and 15.06% (n = 36) infants. Average adult male –female sex ratio was 1:2.26; juveniles per adult female was 1:0.33; and infants per adult female was 1:0.37.These results suggest a healthy population status.