Abundance, Diversity, and Distribution of Primates at Welel Mountain, Kellem Wollega Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia.

Diriba Fufa,Gezahegn Degefe,Dereje Yazezew,Sibhatu Gebrehiwot

doi:10.1155/2020/5691324

Abstract

Primates are the mammals of the order Primate that is characterized by advanced development of binocular vision and enlargement of the cerebral hemispheres. The aim of this study was to investigate the abundance, diversity, and distribution of primates on Welel Mountain. From August 2017 to February 2018, we collected data from different parts of Welel Mountain during wet and dry seasons of the year and analyzed them using SPSS version 20. We identified four primate species: Chlorocebus aethiops, Cercopithecus mitis, Papio anubis, and Colobus guereza. We conducted t-test analysis for abundance and distribution of primates in wet and dry season of the year, and the P value obtained was 0.20. The mean percentages of primates in forest, woodland, and shrubs were 43.16%, 32.26%, and 24.58%, respectively. Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H′) value was higher in wet season than in dry season. The current study showed that the species are distributed more evenly in wet season than in dry season, and the number of young individuals is more than that of adults. This indicates that currently the status of primates population on Welel Mountain is good. Therefore, to keep the status of primates in the study area effective, wildlife management and conservation policy should be formulated.

Highlights

Primates are not evenly distributed across the globe as well as within the regions and vary greatly from time to time due to several factors. us, the study of the abundance, diversity, and spatial distribution of organisms and an understanding of the basic quantitative natural history of primate species are critical to their conservation [1]
We conducted this study on Welel Mountain, Oromia Region, Ethiopia, situated 650 Km away from Addis Ababa to the west. e area is located between 8° 5′–8° 8′ N latitude and 34° 5′–34°8′ E longitude. e altitude of the mountain is 3301 above sea level. e area receives over 3500 mm average annual rainfall [14]. e mean minimum and maximum temperature of the study area are 4°C and 20°C, respectively
Primate Species Identified in Different Habitats of Welel Mountain

Summary

Introduction

Primates are not evenly distributed across the globe as well as within the regions and vary greatly from time to time due to several factors. us, the study of the abundance, diversity, and spatial distribution of organisms and an understanding of the basic quantitative natural history of primate species are critical to their conservation [1]. Primates are not evenly distributed across the globe as well as within the regions and vary greatly from time to time due to several factors. Us, the study of the abundance, diversity, and spatial distribution of organisms and an understanding of the basic quantitative natural history of primate species are critical to their conservation [1]. Africa is a continent of particular concern in terms of global primate conservation for many reasons. It harbors a high primate diversity—at least 64 species are recognized: 15 prosimians, 46 monkeys, and 3 apes [3], representing approximately 30% of extant primate species. Large-scale, historical processes (e.g., speciation, extinction, and dispersal) have been important in shaping the current patterns of primate distribution on the continent [6]

Methods

Results

Conclusion