Special Topic Proboscis Monkey

 Special Topic Proboscis Monkey

Peer Reviewed Article

The Article I will be looking at is
"Using DNA metabarcoding and direct behavioral observations to identify the diet of proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) in the Kinabatangan Floodplain, Sabah" By Thiry, V., Boom, A. F., Stark, D. J., Hardy, O. J., Beudels-Jamar, R. C., Vercauteren Drubbel, R., … Goossens, B. (2025)

The Articles Finding

This study did a dual approach those being DNA metabarcoding and direct behavioral observations to analyze the diet of the proboscis monkey in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary (LKWS). this is a river area in Sabah Borneo, surrounded by oil palm plantations. DNA metabarcoding is when you take fecal samples and analyze them to identify the plants they consumed. This showed that they had a diverse diet of over 50 plant species. their favorite food being mangrove and riverine forest plants. Behavioral observations is exactly what it sounds like this is when they would go into the field and match the finding from the DNA and see if its correct. The findings found that they mainly fed on young leaves, seeds, and unripe fruits with trees like Euphorbiaceae and Moraceae. 

Relation to Biology and Conservation

By understanding their dietary habits of proboscis monkeys is crucial for their conservation, especially when it comes to their habits and how humans are increasingly encroaching onto their lands. The survival of their food is an underscoring principle about their their survival and their habitat. 
Graph of plant species detected DNA metabarcoding and direct behavioral observation methods

Critical Analysis

The combination of DNA metabarcoding with direct observations provides a comprehensive understanding of the monkeys' diet. By identifying key plant species in the monkeys diet this study offered an insight to what they eat and habitat restoration and conservation planning. However, there are some limitations to this and that this study was focused over a limited area and time frame which cant catch seasonal changes or what other groups are doing. Overall this study did significantly contribute to primate ecology and conservation. It not only enhanced our understanding of proboscis monkeys feeding habits but also provided practical information for conservation. Instead of focusing on habit regrowth they focused on what they eat to make sure they don't run out of food.  
where food is located in the region

References

Thiry, V., Boom, A. F., Stark, D. J., Hardy, O. J., Beudels-Jamar, R. C., Vercauteren Drubbel, R., … Goossens, B. (2025). Using DNA metabarcoding and direct behavioural observations to identify the diet of proboscis monkeys (nasalis larvatus) in the Kinabatangan floodplain, Sabah. PLOS ONE, 20(1). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0316752 

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