Ecology, Behaviour and Conservation of Boutourlini’s Blue Monkey (Cercopithecus Mitis Boutourlinii) in the Jibat Forest, Ethiopia
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Date
2010-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Boutourlini’s blue monkey (Cercopithecus mitis boutourlinii) is listed as a vulnerable
sub-species, which is endemic to south western parts of Ethiopia. This study was
carried out from July 2009 to April 2010 to provide data on the habitat use, feeding
behaviour, activity and ranging patterns of C. mitis boutourlinii blue monkey in the Jibat
Forest. Jibat forest constitutes different habitat types including tree and bamboo
dominated forests and bushlands with the surrounding farmlands. Study on two
selected groups (Group I and II) of the monkey was carried out in different habitat types.
Activity pattern, feeding ecology and ranging behaviour were studied with 15 minutes
interval scan sampling. Vegetation composition in the home range was determined by
quadrat sampling method. The majority of their activity time was spent in feeding 49.9 %
and 47.3% by Group I and Group II, respectively; followed by moving (20.14%) and
resting (20.57%) by Group I. Group II spent 16.26% of total time moving and 22.5%
resting. Monkeys of Group I spent 9.4% of their time for socializing while Group II spent
13.9%. The time spent in other activities was very limited (<1%) in both groups. The
overall diet composition of Boutourlini’s blue monkey was dominated by fruits, which
accounted for 52.5% in Group I. Foraging on animal preys and young leaves constituted
14.7% and 11.1% of their time, respectively. They also feed on shoots (8.7%), flowers
(7.3%), mature leaves (3.1%), bark (1.7%), seeds (0.6%) and other parts (0.4%).
Monkeys in the Group II spent more time (29.8%) feeding on shoots. This group also
spent 17.1% of their time feeding on young leaves, 17.0% on fruits, 13.1% on animal
preys, 9.6% on seeds, 6.8% on flowers, 4.4% on mature leaves, 1.5% on bark, 0.7% on
other plant parts and 0.1% on stem. A total of 24 and 33 plant species were consumed
by Group I and II, respectively. Home range size was 72 ha for Group I and 61.2 ha for
Group II. Anthropogenic effects were widely observed as a threat.
Keywords: Boutourlini’s blue monkey, diet, habitat preference, home range, Jibat
Forest.
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Keywords
Boutourlini’s blue monkey, diet, habitat preference, home range;Jibat Forest.