Abstract
A study on the population size, habitat association and dietary composition of Boutourlini’s blue monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis boutourlinii) was carried out from January, 2015 to September, 2016 in Komto Protected Forest. Data was collected for a total of 58 days encompassing both the wet and dry seasons. Scan sampling method was used to collect data on the diet and foraging behaviour of Boutourlini’s blue monkeys. Population size was determined by total counting method. A total of two groups (natural and riverine forest) and 29 individuals of Boutourlini’s blue monkeys were recorded in the study area. Natural forest group was selected to study about the diet and foraging behaviour of Boutourlini’s blue monkeys. The overall dietary composition of Boutourlini’s blue monkeys was dominated by young leaves which accounted for 27.40% of the total diet. In addition, they fed on mature leaves (20.3%), fruits (15.38%), flowers (11.24%), shoots (8.99%), bark (6.91%), seeds (4.93%) and animal matter (3.37%). They consumed a total of 21 plant species belonging to 18 families. Syzygium guineense was the most consumed plant species and constituted 16.68% of Boutourlini’s blue monkey diet followed by Ficus sur (13.13%) and Prunus africana (12.01%). The most often utilized foraging method was capturing and manipulating food using both hands. This accounted for 47.97% of total foraging observations followed by grabbing (31.46%) and pulling (11.93%). Boutourlini’s blue monkeys were restricted to natural and riverine forest habitats in Komto Protected Forest. Preference of such taper ecological niche resulted from selective deforestation for timber and charcoal production, trampling of habitats by livestock and agricultural land expansion. To ensure future conservation of Boutourlini’s blue monkeys, habitat rehabilitation, enforcement of laws against deforestation for timber and charcoal production, and other appropriate management and conservation strategies should be designed. Key words: Boutourlini’s blue monkeys, diet, foraging behavior, habitat association, Komto Protected Forest.
Highlights
Blue monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis) are forest dwelling guenons belonging to the Old World monkeys (Kingdon, 1971; Estes, 1992)
A total of two groups and 29 Boutourlini’s blue monkeys were recorded in Komto Protected Forest (Table 1). Among these 17 individuals were recorded in natural forest and the remaining 12 were recorded in the riverine forest
The findings of this study are mostly compared with other guenons and similar subspecies studied in other African countries
Summary
Blue monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis) are forest dwelling guenons belonging to the Old World monkeys (Kingdon, 1971; Estes, 1992). Blue monkeys are mostly adapted to live in the forests and forage at 20 m above the ground (Tashiro, 2006). They intermittently move in open habitats and feed on the ground (Stuart, 1997). The diets of blue monkeys are mostly flexible (Kingdon, 1971; Chapman et al, 2002; Twinomugisha et al, 2006). Blue monkeys mostly feed on fruits, leaves, invertebrates, flowers, seeds, bark and shoots (Estes, 1992)
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