Using DNA metabarcoding and direct behavioural observations to identify the diet of proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) in the Kinabatangan Floodplain, Sabah.
Characterizing the feeding ecology of threatened species is essential to establish appropriate conservation strategies. We focused our study on the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus), an endangered primate species which is endemic to the island of Borneo. Our survey was conducted in the Lower Kinab...
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0316752 |
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| author | Valentine Thiry Arthur F Boom Danica J Stark Olivier J Hardy Roseline C Beudels-Jamar Regine Vercauteren Drubbel Sylvia Alsisto Martine Vercauteren Benoit Goossens |
| author_facet | Valentine Thiry Arthur F Boom Danica J Stark Olivier J Hardy Roseline C Beudels-Jamar Regine Vercauteren Drubbel Sylvia Alsisto Martine Vercauteren Benoit Goossens |
| author_sort | Valentine Thiry |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Characterizing the feeding ecology of threatened species is essential to establish appropriate conservation strategies. We focused our study on the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus), an endangered primate species which is endemic to the island of Borneo. Our survey was conducted in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary (LKWS), a riverine protected area that is surrounded by oil palm plantations. We aimed to determine the diet of multiple proboscis monkey groups by using two methods. First, we conducted boat-based direct observations (scan and ad libitum sampling) and identified 67 plant species consumed by the monkeys at their sleeping sites in early mornings and late afternoons. Secondly, we used the DNA metabarcoding approach, based on next-generation sequencing (NGS, MiSeq Illumina) of faecal samples (n = 155), using the short chloroplast sequence, the trnL (UAA) P6 loop. In addition, we built a DNA reference database with the local plants available in the LKWS. When combining feeding data from both methods, we reported a diverse dietary ecology in proboscis monkeys, with at least 89 consumed plant taxa, belonging to 76 genera and 45 families. Moreover, we were able to add 22 new genera as part of the diet of this endangered colobine primate in the LKWS. The two methods provided congruent and complementary results, both having their advantages and limitations. This study contributed to enhance the knowledge on the feeding ecology of proboscis monkeys, highlighting the significance of several plant species that should further be considered in habitat restoration plans or corridor establishment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dca275f619734d3f8c27936eb3a177e8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
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| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj-art-dca275f619734d3f8c27936eb3a177e82025-01-08T05:31:40ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01201e031675210.1371/journal.pone.0316752Using DNA metabarcoding and direct behavioural observations to identify the diet of proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) in the Kinabatangan Floodplain, Sabah.Valentine ThiryArthur F BoomDanica J StarkOlivier J HardyRoseline C Beudels-JamarRegine Vercauteren DrubbelSylvia AlsistoMartine VercauterenBenoit GoossensCharacterizing the feeding ecology of threatened species is essential to establish appropriate conservation strategies. We focused our study on the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus), an endangered primate species which is endemic to the island of Borneo. Our survey was conducted in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary (LKWS), a riverine protected area that is surrounded by oil palm plantations. We aimed to determine the diet of multiple proboscis monkey groups by using two methods. First, we conducted boat-based direct observations (scan and ad libitum sampling) and identified 67 plant species consumed by the monkeys at their sleeping sites in early mornings and late afternoons. Secondly, we used the DNA metabarcoding approach, based on next-generation sequencing (NGS, MiSeq Illumina) of faecal samples (n = 155), using the short chloroplast sequence, the trnL (UAA) P6 loop. In addition, we built a DNA reference database with the local plants available in the LKWS. When combining feeding data from both methods, we reported a diverse dietary ecology in proboscis monkeys, with at least 89 consumed plant taxa, belonging to 76 genera and 45 families. Moreover, we were able to add 22 new genera as part of the diet of this endangered colobine primate in the LKWS. The two methods provided congruent and complementary results, both having their advantages and limitations. This study contributed to enhance the knowledge on the feeding ecology of proboscis monkeys, highlighting the significance of several plant species that should further be considered in habitat restoration plans or corridor establishment.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0316752 |
| spellingShingle | Valentine Thiry Arthur F Boom Danica J Stark Olivier J Hardy Roseline C Beudels-Jamar Regine Vercauteren Drubbel Sylvia Alsisto Martine Vercauteren Benoit Goossens Using DNA metabarcoding and direct behavioural observations to identify the diet of proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) in the Kinabatangan Floodplain, Sabah. PLoS ONE |
| title | Using DNA metabarcoding and direct behavioural observations to identify the diet of proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) in the Kinabatangan Floodplain, Sabah. |
| title_full | Using DNA metabarcoding and direct behavioural observations to identify the diet of proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) in the Kinabatangan Floodplain, Sabah. |
| title_fullStr | Using DNA metabarcoding and direct behavioural observations to identify the diet of proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) in the Kinabatangan Floodplain, Sabah. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Using DNA metabarcoding and direct behavioural observations to identify the diet of proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) in the Kinabatangan Floodplain, Sabah. |
| title_short | Using DNA metabarcoding and direct behavioural observations to identify the diet of proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) in the Kinabatangan Floodplain, Sabah. |
| title_sort | using dna metabarcoding and direct behavioural observations to identify the diet of proboscis monkeys nasalis larvatus in the kinabatangan floodplain sabah |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0316752 |
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