Using DNA metabarcoding and direct behavioural observations to identify the diet of proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) in the Kinabatangan Floodplain, Sabah.

ABSTRACT: 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 Illumin

SUBMITTER: Thiry V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11698349 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature