SHORT COMMUNICATIONS

Observations on food habits of Asiatic black in Kedarnath WildlifeSanctuary, : preliminaryevidence on their role in and dispersal

S. Sathyakumar1'3 and S. Viswanath2'4 food and feeding habits of the Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) in Central Borneo, Indonesia, 1WildlifeInstitute of India,P.O. Box 18, indicated that this species could be an importantseed Chandrabani,Dehradun 248 001, India dispenser depending upon the species consumed, 2Instituteof Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, numberof ingested, and the deposition site. Forest Campus, Coimbatore641002 India Asiatic black are well known seed predators. that acorns Key words: Asiatic black bear, food habits, germination Manjrekar(1989) reported () and were crushed tests, seed dispersal,seed germination,seed predator, () totally by black bears while on them, Symplocos theifolia, Ursus thibetanus feeding thereby hindering Ursus14(1):99-103 (2003) dispersal. Black bears were also reported to feed on seeds fallen on the ground,and signs of regenerationof species, in particular,were reportedto be low. We presentobservations on the food and feeding habits In India, the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) of Asiatic black bearand observationson germinationof occurs in forested of the GreaterHimalaya at bear food in Kedarath Wildlife Sanctuary(WS), 1,200-3,000 m elevation (Sathyakumar2001). Informa- Western Himalayaduring 1989-92. tion on the feeding and movement patternsof Asiatic black bear in India is limited to 2 short studies (Manjrekar1989, Saberwal 1989) and some observa- Study area tions by Schaller (1969), all in Dachigam National Park Kedarath WS (975 km2) is located in Uttaranchal, (NP) in Jammu and Kashmir,India. The Asiatic black NorthernIndia, at elevation that varies from 1,200 to bear in India is an omnivore, but feeds mainly on 7,068 m. It lies in the upper catchmentsof Alaknanda and leaves of a few species. its Consequently, and Mandakini rivers (30?25'-30?45'N, 78055'- movement depends largely on the density and distribu- 79?22'E), major tributariesof . Kedarath is tion of these key food plants in the area. In addition, influenced by the southwest monsoon in summer and food production is known to play a major role in by the passage of belts of low pressurein winter (Mani reproductionof American black bears (Ursus ameri- 1974). The major vegetation types include sub-tropical canus; Jonkel and Cowan 1971). In Dachigam National pine (Pinus roxburghii), temperate broad-leaved Park (NP), India, when fruits were available, a major (Quercus leucotrichophora,Q. glauca, Q. floribunda) proportionof Asiatic black bear diets were composed and associated species, sub-alpineoak (Q. semecarpifo- initially of sugar-richfruits, followed by -rich fruits lia), fir (Abiespindrow), birch (Betula utilis)-rhododen- before hibernation(Manjrekar 1989). dron (Rhododendroncampanulatum), and alpine scrub, There are few studies available on feeding habits of meadows, and pastures.The status of Asiatic black bear other bear species and theireffects on seed germination. in Kedarath WS has been reportedas 'rare' Traveset and Willson (1997) discussed effects of some (Sathya- kumar2001). Most of the observationson Asiatic black birds, , and (Ursus bear and its food habits were made in an intensive study arctos) on seed germinationof fleshy-fruitedplants in area (20 km2; 1,700-3,680 m) near Mandal, located at temperaterainforests of southeast Alaska. Their results the southern boundary of Kedarnath (Sathyakumar indicated no difference in germinationrates for seeds 1994). that passed throughthe guts of captive birds and black and brown bears; they reportedthat the advantagesof seed dispersallie more in seed movementaway from the parentplant than in seed treatmentwithin the dispens- Methods er's gut. McConkey and Galetti (1999), while reporting We made casual observationson Asiatic black bear food and feeding habits during 1989-92. During direct sightings, informationon habitatuse and activity were recorded.If feeding was observed, data on food plants 3email: [email protected] [email protected] were recorded. Indirect observations such as scats,

99 100 SHORTCOMMUNICATIONS feeding sign, and tracks were also used to collect (Panthera pardus). We had indirect observations of informationon black bear habitatuse, food, and feeding bears such as feeding signs and remains in scats of habits. An inventory of bear food plants was prepared acors of oak (Quercus leucotrichophora,Q. semecar- based on fresh feeding signs and remnantsof undigested pifolia.), montanebamboo (Arundinariafalcata, Tham- plant materialidentified in their scats. We also recorded nocalamusspathiflorus), fruits and berriesof Symplocos informationon black bear food habits providedto us by theifolia, and insects. Secondary information from wildlife staff and villagers. several forest staff and local villagers indicated that In October 1990, 2 bear scats with intact seeds were black bears also feed on Juglans regia, Prunus cornuta, encounteredin the Mandal area at 1,900 m and were Myrica nagi, Aesculus indica, Rubus elipticus,Fragaria transportedto the Forest Research Institute,Dehradun, indica, and cultivatedcrops like maize and amaranth. for testing. The scats were washed thoroughly in runningwater and the entire intact seeds of Symplocos Germination studies of S. theifolia theifoliawere separated(they could be easily recognized Freshly maturedS. theifolia seeds were dormantand in the scat, especially the blue remnantsof the outercoat did not germinateuntil the 3rdweek in the laboratory of /berry). At this same time, we collected freshly tests. In contrast,the matureseeds with pulpy outerlayer matured fruits (berries) from standing trees of S. (control) showed very little signs of germination and theifolia from the study area. The mature fruits were deteriorated very fast at both temperatureregimes. depulpedby hand and seeds extracted.Some fruits were Observationsin the laboratoryshowed increased ger- left whole and kept as a control. All fruits and seeds mination of seeds that were ingested by bears when retrievedfrom the scat were stored for 3 weeks at 5?C. compared to control and freshly depulped seeds sub- The seeds were then tested for germinationby allowing jected to the same germination treatments (Fig. 1). them to sit in moist filter paper in petri dishes. Three The proportionof seeds that germinatedfrom the bear than the replicates of 25 seeds each were used for each of the scat kept at 25? was significantly higher pro- 3 test conditions: seeds from bear scat, from depulped portion that germinatedfrom the depulped seeds kept = mature fresh fruit, and from whole fruit (control). All at 25? (2-sample t 3.29, 34 df, P < 0.002). Under the seeds took 5 months samples were exposed to 2 different temperatureand field nurseryconditions, nearly = 153 SD = with light regimes using incubators:(1) alternating(12 hr at to germinate(x days, 5) poor germi- 25?C with 12 hr at 10?C) and (2) constant 25?C. The nation percent (22%; Table 1). alternatingtemperature regime approximatedthe mean daily maximum and minimum temperatures at the Mandal study area during spring (Mar-Apr). The petri Discussion dishes were moistened regularly and observations on Black bear feeding habits were germinationwere noted at weekly intervalsfor 6 weeks. Manjrekar(1989) reportedthat 22 food items Seeds with emerged radicles were considered germ- found in the diet of black bears in DachigamNP, May- inated and removed from petri dishes. October,based on scat analysis. Over 22% of the overall and about Separately, we also conducted germination tests in diet by weight was foliage, 72% was fruit, field nurseriesin Mandal on S. theifolia seeds collected 2% was animal matter.Prunus avium and Morus alba in from standing trees (Table 1). In field nurserieswithin (mulberry)were the majorfruits in the diet June-July, and the study area, mature whole fruits of S. theifolia col- while Quercus robur (English oak) Juglans regia lected in Octoberwere sown in Novemberin uncovered, (walnut) accountedfor a majorproportion of the diet in Schaller raised germinationbeds (1.5 m X 10 m X 0.3 m) filled September-early October (Manjrekar 1989). with soil, sand, and compost. For S. theifolia, 100 fruits (1969) investigatedthe diet of black bears in Dachigam on scat Oak (4 replicationsof 25 each) were sown. NP during Octoberbased analysis. (12%), walnut (33%), and Celtis australis (40%) formed the major diet of black bears. Schaller also observed bears Results feeding on fallen oak acors and walnuts. Black bear feeding habits Oak acorns constitute an importantdietary item in We observedblack bears on 6 occasions and collected bear food habit.Four species of have been recorded and 20 scats (Table 2). Bears were observed feeding on in the study area: Quercus leucotrichophora Q. arboreum, Berberis asiatica, and on glauca at lower elevations (1,600-2,000 m) and Q. the remains of a cattle kill made by a common leopard floribunda and Q. semecarpifolia at the mid- (2,000-

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Table 1. Germination data of some tree species tested in forest nurseries in Mandal. Seed characteristics S.No Species Life forma Seed type GGb SODC MOSd n GCe I ., , , 1. Abies pindrow ct cone ID DS 12 100 3 2. Acer caesium ct samara ID DS 11 100 4 3. Acer caudatum ct samara ID DS 11 100 4 4. Acer oblongum ct samara ID PR 4 80 3 5. Acer sterculiaceum ct samara ID DS 11 100 3 6. Aesculus indica ct capsule ID DS 11 100 2 7. Alnus nepalensis ct winged nutlet ID PR 7 100 4 8. Berberislycium us berry DR RS 8 100 2 9. Betulaalnoides ct winged nutlet ID PR 7 100 2 10. Buxus wallichiana us capsule ID DS 10 100 4 11. Caesalpinadecapetala us pod ID PR 5 40 3 12. Carpinusviminea ct winged ID DS 9 100 3 13. Daphnepapyracea us berry RR RS 6 100 2 14. Daphniphyllumhimalaense ct berry ID DS 10 100 3 15. Euonymustingens us berry RR RS 8 100 2 16. Euryaacuminata us berry ID DS 12 100 4 17. Fraxinusmicrantha ct winged nut ID DS 12 100 3 18. Hoveniadulcis ct winged nut ID DS 11 100 3 19. Ilex dipyrena ct DR RS 8 60 4 20. Linderapulcherrima us berry RR RS 6 100 2 21. Lyoniaovalifolia ct capsule ID DS 11 100 4 22. Meliosmdilleniifolia us berry RR RS 8 60 2 23. Neolitsea pallens us berry ID DS 11 20 2 24. Persea duthiei ct berry DR RS 8 50 3 25. Persea odoratissima ct berry DR RS 9 50 3 26. Phoebe lanceolata us berry RR RS 8 100 2 27. Prinsepiautilis us berry ID PR 4 60 3 28. Prunuscornuta us berry DR RS 7 60 3 29. Pteracanthusalatus us capsule ID DS 10 60 3 30. Quercusfloribunda ct acorn RR RS 8 100 1 31. Quercusglauca ct acorn ID DS 10 100 2 32. Quercusleucotrichophora ct acorn ID DS 10 100 2 33. Quercussemecarpifolia ct acorn RR RS 7 100 1 34. Rhododendronarboreum us capsule ID RS 10 60 2 35. Rhusjavanica us capsule ID PR 4 100 3 36. Sarcococca hookeriana us berry RR RS 7 100 1 37. Symplocospaniculata us berry ID DS 11 100 4 38. Symplocos theifolia us berry ID DS 11 100 4 aLifeform: ct - canopy tree species; us = understoryspecies. bGerminationGroups: RR = RapidRainy; ID = IntermediateDry; DR = Delayed Rainy. - CSeasonof Dispersal:DS = Dryseason; PR Pre-rainyseason; RS = Rainyseason. dMonthof Sowing of seeds in nurserybeds: 1-12; n = numberof seeds sown. = eGerminationcapacity 1 (high >75%); 2 (intermediate51-75%); 3 (low 26-50%); 4 (very low <25%).

and 2,600 m) higher elevations (>2,600 m), respec- stantiatedthis movement pattern.Crop raiding in vill- For the latter 2 seed tively. species, germinationpre- ages at lower elevations increasedw in freouencvj when - the cedes seed fall in July-August and germinationis rapid agriculturalcrops were nearingharvest. as seeds that are less viable germinate immediately Schaller et al. (1989) reportedthat in , Asiatic on dispersal. For Q. leucotrichophoraand Q. glauca, black bears showed a shift from leafy material in the acoms are dispersed late in the autumn (Sep-Oct), and early summer diet, to fleshy fruits, and then to fat-rich seeds before require chilling germination occurs on fruitsbefore hibernation.Manjrekar (1989) also reported the forest floor. We believe it is not coincidental that similar trends in shift of black bear diet in Dachigam the movement of black bears from higher to lower NP. The black bears in KedarnathWS may also be elevations during September-Octoberfollows the acor adopting similar shifts in diets from sugar-richfruits in dispersal pattern. Indirect feeding evidence also sub- summer to fat-rich fruits in late summer and autumn,

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Table 2. Asiatic black bear sightings, indirect observations, and food habits in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (1989-92), India. Months Bearsightings Scats encountered Feedingobservations [0] or food plantsseen in scats [S] Jan-Mar(winter) 1 0 none Apr-Jun(spring) 2 3 Rhododendronarboreum [0] leaves Berberisasiatica [0] berry Rubus elipticus[0] berry Quercusleucotrichophora [S] acorn Jul-Sep (summer) 2 14 Quercussemecarpifolia [S] acorn Symplocos theifolia[S] berry Arundinariafalcata [S] leaves Thamnocalamusspathiflorus [S] leaves Scavenging cattle kill[O] Oct-Dec (fall) 1 3 Thamnocalamusspathiflorus [S] leaves Arundinariafalcata [S] leaves

before hibernation.For instance, the fruit dispersal of uningested seeds; or (4) longer retentiontime in the gut some of the species (Aesculus indica, Q. leucotricho- reduces seed viability. phora, Q. glauca, Juglans regia) falls in the category of The way in which physical dormancy is broken is late autumndispersal in the study area (Table 1). speculative, but it is assumed to be via acid (Lamprey et al. 1974) or mechanical (Cavanagh 1980). Freshly Germination studies of S. theifolia matured seeds eaten by an animal have an increased Observationsof intact seeds in feces or regurgitated chance of germinatingbefore the bruchid beetle larvae material of animals have caused many biologists to kills them than seeds not eaten for several weeks or ask: Does being eaten affect seed germination?Baskin months after maturation(Hoffman et al. 1989). This is and Baskin (1998) mentioned several possibilities: (1) true for most species like Acacia in dry savannahor dry seeds are digested (destroyed);(2) seeds germinatewhile deciduous forests in Asia and African regions. In most they are in the animal's digestive tract, but the resultant of the species occurringin Himalayan moist temperate die; (3) dormancyis broken, and defecated or forests (typical of the study area), dormancy due to regurgitatedseeds germinatein higher percentagesthan physiological reasons is common and is broken by a period of brief chilling, stratification,or a combination of both. 100 - 2 5/10 deg C (Bear scat) S. theifolia is a small, evergreen understorytree in - *25 deg Constant (bear scat) which the fruitis an obovate berry0.75 cm long, 0.25 cm - C 80 - 25/10 deg (depulped) with a 1-2 mm dark when - - '25 deg Constant (depulped) thick, pulpy exocarp ripe. - -Control / The pulpy exocarp encloses the embryo and and provides nutrition to the bear in this context. S. / / T theifolia sheds ripe berries in October. After they fall to the ground, they do not germinate until spring or beginning of rainy season (Jul-Aug). For species like S. theifolia where the fruit is a berry, the pulpy seed coat 40 / may actuallyplay a role in dispersalby animals or birds. Unpredatedfruits may fall to the forest floor on maturity o -- ..------where the conditions for bacterialinfestation and insect 1 2 3 Week 4 5 6 attack are ideal. Witmer (1991) suggested that the re- moval of fruit materialfrom around seeds may prevent Fig. 1. Germination time and standard errors of them from being destroyed by bacteriabefore germina- bear ingested and mature depulped seeds of Sym- tion occurred.In the present case, it may be arguedthat plocos theifolia subjected to 2 temperature (?C) black bear have aided seed Test control seeds incubated under the predationby may dispersal regimes. and enhanced its when intact seeds were constant temperature regime did not germinate germination during the test and are not shown. defecated minus the pulpy seed coat.

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The seed of S. theifolia has been classified as within HOFFMAN,M.T., R.M. COWLING,C. DOUIE,AND S.M. PIERCE. the 'IntermediateDry' (Oct-Dec) germination group 1989. Seed predationand germinationof Acacia erioloba based on the season of dispersal and has poor in the Kuiseb River Valley, Namib Desert. South African germinationcapacity (<25%) in forest nurseries (Vis- Journalof Botany 55:103-106. wanath 1999). Duringthis period on the forest floor, due JONKEL, C.J., AND I.M. COWAN. 1971. The black bear in the forest. Wildlife to the pulpy seed coat, the chance of bacterialattack is spruce-fir Monographs27. LAMPREY, H.F., G. HALEVY, AND S. MAKACHA. 1974. Inter- enhancedwhich, in turn,may kill the embryobefore the actions between Acacia, bruchid beetles and large herbi- seed germinates. When fruit black bear predation by vores. East African Wildlife Journal12:81-85. occurs, the pulpy materialis digested in the alimentary MANI,M.S. 1974. Ecology and biogeographyin India. Junk, canal and the scarified seed only (endocarp intact) The Hague, Netherlands. out in the feces. It is that the passes speculated removal MANJREKAR,N. 1989. Feeding ecology of the Himalayanblack of fruit material from around the seeds may prevent bear (Selenarctosthibetanus Cuvier) in DachigamNational them from being destroyedby bacteriabefore germina- Park. Master of Science Dissertation, SaurashtraUniver- tion occurs (Travesetand Willson 1997). sity, Rajkot, India. Although based on a very small sample, feeding MCCONKEY,K., ANDM. GALETTI.1999. Seed dispersal by the by Asiatic black bear on S. theifolia appearedto have sun bear Helarctos malayanus in CentralBorneo. Journal shortenedthe mean length of dormancyof the seeds and of TropicalEcology 15:237-241. improved its over all germinationpercentage. Removal SABERWAL,V. 1989. Rangingpatterns of Himalayanblack bear of fruit materialaround seeds by bears throughfeeding (Selenarctos thibetanus Cuvier) in Dachigam National may have increased germinationrate over those with Park. Master of Science Dissertation, SaurashtraUniver- India. intactfruit material (i.e., naturallydispersed in the forest sity, Rajkot, SATHYAKUMAR, S. 1994. of in floor) because in the latter case, the pulpy seed coat ecology ungulates createdfavorable conditions for bacterialinfestation and Kedarnathmusk sanctuary,Western Himalaya. Doc- toral Thesis, Saurashtra India. insect (Bruchid beetle) attack. However, further theo- University, Rajkot, . 2001. Status and of Asiatic black retical and and management empirical investigations larger sample bear and brown bear in India. Ursus 12: sizes are Himalayan requiredto confirm the role of black bears in 21-30. and of similar food enhancing germination dispersal SCHALLER,G.B. 1969. Food habitsof the Himalayanblack bear plants. (Selenarctosthibetanus) in Dachigam Sanctuary,Kashmir. Journalof Bombay NaturalHistory Society 66:156-159. Acknowledgments . 1977. Mountainmonarchs: Wild sheep and goats of the Himalaya. of Press, We thankthe Wildlife Instituteof India (WII) and the University Chicago Chicago, Illinois, USA. Forest Research Institute (FRI), both in Dehradun,for , Q.T. TENG,K.G. JOHNSON,X.M. WANG,H.M. SHEN, providingus the necessarysupport during this study;and ANDJ.C. Hu. 1989. The feeding ecology of giant pandas G.S. Rawat (WII) and R.C. for their Thapliyal (FRI) and Asiatic black bears in the TangjiaheReserve, China. and We thank guidance encouragement. specially M.J.B. Pages 212-241 in J.L. Gittleman,editor. Carnivorebeha- Green, Donald and R. Harrisfor an Christian, reviewing viour, ecology and evolution. Chapman& Hall, London, earlierversion of this manuscriptand providingvaluable UK. comments. We thankthe InternationalBear Association TRAVESET, A., AND WILLSON, M.F. 1997. Effect of birds and and the OrganizingCommittee of the 13thInternational bears on seed germinationof fleshy-fruitedplants in tem- Bear Conference,Wyoming, USA, for providingone of peraterainforests of southeastAlaska. Oikos 80:89-95 us (SSK) the travelgrant to participatein this conference VISWANATH,S. 1999. Soil seed bank dynamics and germina- for presentingthe findings of this study. tion eco-physiology of some selected species in a Himala- yan moist temperate forest. Doctoral Thesis, Kumaon Literaturecited University, , India. WITMER,M.C. 1991. The dodo and the tambalacoquetree: an BASKIN,C.C., ANDBASKIN, J.M. 1998. Seeds: Ecology, bio- obligate mutualismreconsidered. Oikos 61:133-137. geography, and evolution of dormancy and germination. Academic Press, San Diego, California,USA. T. 1980. A CAVANAGH, review of some aspects of the germ- Received: 28 May 2001 ination of Acacias, Proceedings of the Royal Society of Accepted: 17 December 2002 Victoria 91:161-180. Associate Editor: G.V. Hilderbrand

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