The Research On Fission-fusion And Altitudinal Distribution Pattern Of Golden Snub-nosed Monkey(Rhinopithecus Roxellana)in Qinling Mountains

The golden snub-nosed monkey(Rhinopithecus roxellana)is one of Chinese endemic endangered species,and perches on the alpine forests,whose social structure is considered to be multi-level society(MLS).This society is stable and consisted by four levels.The one male multiple females unit(OMU)is the basic element of MLS as the first level,and several OMUs constitute the second level-breeding band.Then,breeding band and one or more all male units(AMU)form the third level-herd,they always moving and foraging together.At last,a few herds compose the fourth level-troop.The survival of golden snub-nosed monkey is restricted by local ecological factors.And the location of this species is effected by various factors,such as variations of altitude and human activities.Besides,the distribution pattern of altitude in golden snub-nosed monkey will be influenced by a combined effect of multiple factors.To investigate the fission-fusion pattern and altitudinal distribution of golden snub-nosed monkey in Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve(Shaanxi Province,China),we used the GPS collar technology and quadrat sampling method during our study.Then we analyzed the characteristic of fission-fusion in different herds and periods,the causes of formation of altitudinal distribution pattern in this species was analyzed either.In this study,ten collars were deployed on four social components of west ride troop from 2015 to 2016,including three individuals in breeding band and three individuals in all male unit of GNG-herd,then,two individuals in breeding band and two individuals in all male unit of DJF-herd.The wild data monitoring of collars in GNG-herd was totally 200 days,and 284 days in DJF-herd.Meanwhile,we analyzed the altitudinal distribution pattern of the west ride troop(WRT)of golden snub-nosed monkey from 2012 to 2016 based on the data from twenty-four collars.Variations of food availability along the altitudinal gradient had been analyzed based on the survey data from 259 square samples.In addition,based on the survey data in study area,we analyzed the influence of human activities which may affect the distribution of the golden snub-nosed monkey.The results show that:first,Fission-fusion is a common phenomenon in WRT golden snub-nosed monkeys.Seasonal variation of food resources effects on the fission-fusion in golden snub-nosed monkeys.During the period when food is plentiful,more fusion events occur inter herds,and more fission events occur intra herds.On the contrary,when food is scarce,fewer fission-fusion events will occur.Meanwhile,the populations of herd also have effects on the fission-fusion in R.roxellana,more fission events occur in the large herd,and fewer in the small.Second,food availability and human activity has a comprehensive effect on the altitudinal distribution of golden snub-nosed monkeys.With the increasing of altitude,habitat quality of the distribution range will decline gradually.And,human activity will also bring negative effects on distribution of this species,which restricting the range of activity in golden snub-nosed monkeys.Third,using the GPS collar technology to monitor golden snub-nosed monkey in the wild is feasible,this method has high accuracy and could represent the activity state of golden snub-nosed monkey in the wild.The GPS collar technology is an effective and convenient method in the study of wild animal,it will has a flourishing application perspectives in the future.