Thesouthern pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina), also known as theSundaland pig-tailed macaque and theSunda pig-tailed macaque,[2] is a medium-sizedmacaque that lives inSundaland,southern Thailand,Malaysia, andIndonesia. It is known locally asberuk.[3]
As with otherMacaca species, males are larger than females; while males are measured at 50–58 cm (20–23 in) in length and 5–12 kg (11–26 lb) in weight, females are measured at 38–48 cm (15–19 in) in length and 4.5–6 kg (9.9–13.2 lb) in weight.[8] This macaque hasbuff-brown fur, with a darker dorsal area and lighter ventral area. Its common name refers to the short tail held semi-erect, resembling the tail of a pig.
M. nemestrina is mainlyterrestrial, but also a skilledclimber. Unlike almost all primates, these macaques love water. They live in large groups that split into smaller groups duringdaytime when they areforaging. They areomnivorous, feeding mainly on fruits, seeds, berries,cereals,fungi, andinvertebrates. A study in peninsularMalaysia found them to be the primary, and perhaps the only, seed dispersers of therattan speciesCalamus calicarpus (syn.Daemonorops calicarpa) andCalamus castaneus.[9]
There is ahierarchy among males, based on strength, andamong females, based onheredity. Thus, the daughter of thealpha female will immediately be placed above all other females in the group. The alpha female leads the group, while the male role is more to manage conflict within the group and to defend it.
Femalegestation lasts around 5.7 months.[10] She will give birth to one infant every two years. Weaning occurs at 4–5 months.Sexual maturity is reached at 3–5 years.
Thismacaque is mostly found in rainforest up to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft), but will also enterplantations and gardens.[12]
Southern pig-tailed macaque, nursing her babySouthern pig-tailed macaque in Malaysia
It is found in the southern half of theMalay Peninsula (only just extending into southernmostThailand),Borneo,Sumatra andBangka Island.[1] There are reports of the species having been present inSingapore before 1950, but these were likely escaped pets.[13] The only pig-tailed macaques in Singapore today are introduced monkeys.[2]
^"Taxonomy of Macaca nemestrina".Primate Info Net. National Primate Research Center via University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents. Archived fromthe original on 28 April 2020. Retrieved26 April 2018.
Rodman, PS (1991). "Structural differentiation of microhabitats of sympatricMacaca fascicularis andM. nemestrina in East Kalimantan, Indonesia".International Journal of Primatology.12 (4):357–375.doi:10.1007/BF02547617.
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