Monkeys in the worldʼs coldest region : Predatory behavior of aquatic insects and fish evolved in the Japanese macaque group in the Kamikochi region

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  • 世界最寒冷地に生息するサル類 : 上高地のニホンザル群で進化した水生昆虫や魚類の捕食行動
  • セカイ サイカンレイチ ニ セイソク スル サルルイ ・ カミコウチ ノ ニホンザルグン デ シンカ シタ スイセイ コンチュウ ヤ ギョルイ ノ ホショク コウドウ

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Abstract

Monkeys, which are mainly distributed in the tropics and subtropics, do not prefer cold environments, and Japanese macaques inhabiting the Shimokita Peninsula in the Japanese Archipelago are considered to be at the "Northern limit of monkeys". Monkeys inhabiting the alpine and sub-alpine zones of the central mountainous region of Japan, where the temperature is lower than that of the Shimokita Peninsula, are considered to be inhabiting the coldest environments for primates in the world, the Kamikochi area being such location. About 200 Japanese macaques inhabit the Kamikochi area, and consisting of four troupes currently. Among them, it was found that at least some individuals belonging to three of the troupes prey on aquatic insects and char fish during the severe winter. Since it is also well known that monkeys generally dislike water, this is a startling behavior from the viewpoint of the global "ethology and ecology of monkeys". Herein, we review the process leading up to clarifying the fishing behavior of Japanese macaques in the Kamikochi area, and the results of analyzing video images obtained by introducing a large number of automatic filming systems in cooperation with a major professional media organization. In addition, we propose a scenario whereby during severe winters when food resources are scarce under relatively mild water conditions due to moderate temperature water flows from underground springs, herbivorous behavior evolved first, and subsequently evolved to diet for aquatic insects, and further adapting the fishing.

Journal

  • 低温科学

    低温科学 81 199-205, 2023-03-20

    低温科学第81巻編集委員会

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