Dietary Analysis of Wild Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) in Southwestern China Using DNA Metabarcoding Technology

This project investigates the dietary composition of wild rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in southwestern China, focusing on seasonal variations in their plant-based food consumption. Using DNA metabarcoding technology, we analyzed fecal samples collected during spring and winter to explore the macaques' dietary shifts and their interactions with agricultural crops. The study identifies the plant genera consumed by these primates, revealing insights into their dietary preferences and foraging strategies, which can inform wildlife management and conflict mitigation efforts in human-dominated landscapes.