Gibbons (Hylobates spp) are among the main frugivorous primates in South-
east Asia, yet little is known about the criteria by which they select fruit for
consumption. We studied two gibbon groups for 14 mo in the lowland diptero-
carp forests of Central Borneo to determine their selectivity for different fruit
species and traits. Ideal gibbon fruit were yellow, large, with a juicy-soft pulp,
thin skin and available in large crops. Gibbons ultimately sought seedless fruit,
but when seeds were present they selected fruit with a single, well-protected
seed. Given that few fruit exhibited all the desired traits, we also carried out a
multiple regression using the selection ratios of the various fruit species and
their associated fruit traits to determine which traits ultimately determined
gibbon choice. The analysis was stratified to account for differences in fruit
availability. Selection was strongest when fruit were abundant in the forest and
was based on seed width (21 mm), color (yellow-orange), and fruit weight
(1–5 g). No selection is apparent when food abundance was intermediate, but
when fruit were scarce they preferentially ate larger fruit (6–30 g).
Gibbons (Hylobates spp) are among the main frugivorous primates in South- east Asia, yet little is known about the criteria by which they select fruit for consumption. We studied two gibbon groups for 14 mo in the lowland diptero- carp forests of Central Borneo to determine their selectivity for different fruit species and traits. Ideal gibbon fruit were yellow, large, with a juicy-soft pulp, thin skin and available in large crops. Gibbons ultimately sought seedless fruit, but when seeds were present they selected fruit with a single, well-protected seed. Given that few fruit exhibited all the desired traits, we also carried out a multiple regression using the selection ratios of the various fruit species and their associated fruit traits to determine which traits ultimately determined gibbon choice. The analysis was stratified to account for differences in fruit availability. Selection was strongest when fruit were abundant in the forest and was based on seed width (21 mm), color (yellow-orange), and fruit weight (1–5 g). No selection is apparent when food abundance was intermediate, but when fruit were scarce they preferentially ate larger fruit (6–30 g).
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